Col. 1:16-17, "...all [other] things were created by him..."

by Matt Slick

"because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. 17Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exists." The New World Translation - Emphasis added

The Jehovah's Witness organization has altered the biblical text to suit to its theological presupposition that Jesus is a created thing.  This is why the new world translation adds the word "other" four times in Col. 1:16-17, even though it is not in the Greek text.  There exists two Greek words for "other":  allos which means another of the same kind; and heteros which means another of a different kind.  Paul could have used either word here if he wanted to show that Jesus was "another" created thing.  But he did not. There is no linguistic reason at all to insert this word here four times -- unless you are trying support the presupposition that Jesus is not God.

Below is a copy out of the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom interlinear.  This book has the Greek words and their exact English translation underneath each word.  The right hand column is how the New World translation renders the Greek into the English.  I have added red squares is in order to demonstrate the additions into the English text that are not supported in the Greek.

In the New World Translation you will notice that the word "other" is in brackets.  This is an admission that the words are not in the original text.  Of course, the Watchtower Organization claims that the insertion of the word "other" four times is necessary to clarify the text.  It isn't.  If anything, it misleads the reader.  Nevertheless, if you have the opportunity, ask a Jehovah's Witness to read the text without saying the word "other."  Usually, he will have difficulty. Also, ask him what he thinks the text is saying without the word "other" added in.  It will be an interesting discussion.

Basically, Jehovah's Witness theology maintains that God created Jesus and then Jesus created all other things.1  If follows that if Jesus "was used by Jehovah in creating all other things" then Jesus was with God and used by God as the instrument of creation.  Unfortunately for Jehovah's Witnesses, God says that He created the heavens and earth "all alone."

"Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, 'I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading out the earth all alone'" (Isaiah 44:24, NASB).

If the Jehovah's Witness is correct, then how is it possible for the LORD (YHWH, or Jehovah) to stretch out the heavens by Himself, all alone (not angels with Him), and yet Jesus "the first created thing," be the one who did it? They can't both be true to the Jehovah's Witness.

The truth is that Jehovah is the name of God.  God is a trinity, and therefore Jesus can be the creator of all things and YHWH can do it by himself since God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This is a very simple and direct demonstration in Scripture that Jesus is the Lord God in flesh.  If He is not, then the Jehovah's Witnesses have a biblical contradiction on their hands.

This article is also available in: Español

• 1. "Jehovah's first creation was his 'only-begotten Son'. . . was used by Jehovah in creating all other things," Aid to Bible Understanding, p. 390-391.