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How do Jehovah's Witnesses reconcile John 1:3 with Colossians 1:15-16?

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4 answers
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This question asks and answers the addition of the word "other" in the NWT of Colossians 1:15-16: > 15 He is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn of all creation;16 because by means of him all **other** things were created in the heavens and on the earth, the things visible and the things invisible,whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All **other** things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all **other** things,and by means of him all **other** things were made to exist, The accepted answer appeals to examples where "other" is added to "all" in order to clarify what was intended even though it does not appear in the Greek text. However, the NWT translation of John 1:3 does not add in "other" for this same clarification: > All things came into existence through him,+ and apart from him not even one thing came into existence. Contextually, him is the Word/logos/Jesus and it is striking that, "other" having been so carefully added in to Colossians to make clarification that all other things were created through him (excepting himself), the same other is not added in here as well. John 1:3 appears to be removing Jesus from the category of things that came into existence since, according to JW teachings, Jesus **is** one thing that came into existence and the verse clearly states (without the clarifying addition of "other") that not one thing came into existence apart from him. So, either Jesus brought himself into existence or he was not brought into existence. 1) How do Jehovah's Witnesses reconcile John and Colossians and, 2) Should we expect to see a future revision to the NWT translation of John 1:3 so that it reads: > All **other** things came into existence through him,+ and apart from him not even one **other** thing came into existence.
Asked by Mike Borden (24105 rep)
Aug 24, 2023, 01:07 PM
Last activity: Sep 16, 2023, 09:37 AM