Did God create Jesus?
The short answer is no, Jesus was not created by God, Jesus is God. He is the second person of the triune Godhead. In fact, nothing was created apart from Jesus Christ. Let's look at the text and see where the Bible tells us that Jesus is God and He is the creator of all things.A good place to get a clear picture of Jesus in relation to creation is John Chapter 1. John's gospel opens with this dramatic statement: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men" (John 1:1–4).
This opening must be viewed in the context of verse 14 for a proper understanding of who "the Word" is. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). "The Word" is Jesus Christ. With that in mind, let's look at the key points in John 1:1–4.
First, Jesus was "in the beginning," meaning that He was already present at the start of creation. The Hebrew word used in Genesis 1:1 for "beginning" represents the first in sequence of creation. The Greek word used here in John 1:1 carries a similar meaning but with an emphasis on origin. In other words, "in the beginning" or when the beginning took place—at the origin of creation—Jesus (The Word) "was." He was already present, already in existence.
Second, He was with God. This is an important distinction regarding the Trinity. For our discussion here, it is enough to note that Jesus was already present and He was with God.
Third, "and the Word was God." Like the second point, this is important in relation to the Trinity, but for our discussion here, this is crucial to understanding that Jesus was not created. God did not create God; He simply always was (Psalm 90:2). It is this phrase that is most often challenged by those who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ. The English rendering, "and the Word was God" is exactly correct. The Greek term θεός (theos) is the same word used in verses 1 and 2. The word is used three times: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God (θεός), and the Word was God (θεός). He was in the beginning with God (θεός)." It is clear from the text that Jesus (the Word) was in the beginning with God and that He was (is) God.
Fourth, "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." Paul, in writing to the Colossians, puts it this way, "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him" (Colossians 1:16). Or, more simply, Jesus created everything. Since Jesus is the Creator, it is impossible for Him to be created.
Fifth, "In Him was life." Life comes from God, not from man, and not from the created. We don't create life, God does. If Jesus was created, then life did not come from Him but instead was given to Him, but God does not need life given to Him since life comes from within Him.
Most people find themselves confused not by the verses above, but instead by verses such as Colossians 1:15: "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." However, the term "firstborn" does not mean created. The word is πρωτότοκος (prototokos) which is derived from the root πρῶτος (protos) meaning the first in honor, influence, or rank. The term can be used to represent the first in order or chronology, but its use here denotes honor. The reason for the use of the term "firstborn" has to do with the cultural understanding of prominence in the first century Roman world. The firstborn son was the heir of everything his father owned when he died; he held a place of honor within the family as a result. The cultural context is key to understanding this text since we do not view our firstborn son in the same sense today. If Jesus were the firstborn in a chronological sense, meaning He was created, then Colossians 1:15 would contradict the next verse where we are told that all things were created "by him." The Bible never contradicts itself; each verse must be interpreted under the weight of the remaining 30,000+ verses, not the other way around. If we were to interpret Colossians 1:15 to mean that Jesus was created, then we would have to reinterpret what is written in John 1, or in Colossians 1:16, John 8:58, 1 Corinthians 8:6, Hebrews 1:3–4, Revelation 22:13, and on the list would go.
Jesus was not created; He is the Creator. He is part of the eternally self-existent triune Godhead. At His incarnation, Jesus took on humanity (Philippians 2:5–11). This was necessary for our salvation (Galatians 4:4–5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 2:16–18; 9:22). But it does not mean Jesus was created. He always has existed and always will exist.
Who is Jesus Christ?
Was Jesus created, or has He always existed?
How is Jesus the first-born over Creation? What does it mean for Jesus to be the first-born?
What is the theological concept of the hypostatic union?
What is the incarnation of Christ and why is the incarnation important?
Truth about Jesus Christ
