Revelation 3:14

"the beginning of the creation of God"

Does this mean Jesus Christ was created?

Christ is "the beginning of the creation of God" (KJV, NKJV, NASB).
Christ is "the ruler of God's creation" (NIV).
Christ is "the Origin, Beginning and Author of God's creation" (Amplified Bible).
Christ is "the Originator of God's creation" (Holman Christian Standard Bible).

The Greek term here used is arche which means beginning, origin, author, first cause. Thayer says, "that by which anything begins to be, the origin, active cause." Vincent says the word means "beginner, author." It is related to another Greek word found in Hebrews 12:2  is archegos meaning author or leader.

It is linguistically possible to say that this verse teaches that Christ was the first creature Jehovah created (as Jehovah's Witnesses teach),  However, this interpretation is theologically impossible because it contradicts John 1:3 which allows for only two possibilities:  either Christ was not created or He created Himself (this last mentioned option being absurd).  It is also linguistically possible to understand the term in this sense: Jesus Christ is the beginning of God's creation because all of creation began because of Him.  "By Him (through Him) were all things created" (Col. 1:16).  He is the Source and Primary Fountainhead of all creation.  Hence He is the beginner of the creation of God because He began it all!

If I said, "Where is the beginning of the Mississippi River?," I would be asking, "Where is the source of this river? Where did this river come from? Where does it originate?"  All of God's creation, without exception, originated from Jesus Christ (John 1:3). He is the source of it all. All of Creation came from Him (Col. 1:16). He is the beginning of God's creation. He began it all. He started it all. All of God's creation owes its origin to Jesus Christ. This interpretation does justice to the grammar and the meaning of the term, while at the same time avoiding the serious error of making Christ a mere, finite creature who had a beginning.

Jesus Christ is not part of God's creation; He is the Creator. 

The Jehovah's Witness interpretation, though linguistically possible is theologically impossible because of the following: 1) John 1:3 which teaches that Jesus Christ is uncreated (everything that was made was made by Him and obviously He did not make Himself); 2) the many passages which teach that Jesus Christ is God (Rom. 9:5; John 1:1; Titus 2:13; 1 John 5:20; etc.); 3) the passages which teach that Jesus Christ is eternal (Col. 1:17; Micah 5:2; John 1:1-2; etc.).   The eternal God could not have a beginning.

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