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The Nicene Fathers argued against the Arians by stating that the word "begotten" in John 3:15 means that Jesus has always existed, and they emphasized that Jesus is begotten, not made. They also explained that the word "firstborn" in Colossians 1:15 simply signifies Jesus's superiority, not that he was created. Athanasius pointed out that if Jesus is the firstborn over all creation, then he is distinct from creation, contradicting the Arians. He also challenged their interpretation of Proverbs 8, stating that Jesus is the wisdom of God and questioning if there was ever a time when God was without wisdom. This is just a glimpse of the many scriptural and theological debates on this topic. In countering this, the Nicene Fathers argued that the word begotten in John 3-15 is something that occurs from all eternity, the language that they put in the creed was that Jesus is begotten, not made. In Colossians 1-15, the Nicene Fathers argued that the word firstborn simply indicates Jesus's supremacy and superiority, which is the natural usage of that word. Also, Athanasius said that if the verse says that Jesus is the firstborn over all creation, then the verse actually distinguishes him from creation, and it makes the opposite point of what the Arians were trying to claim. Athanasius also said that they misinterpreted Proverbs 8, but he said, I'm so glad you agree that Jesus is the wisdom of God. Now, are you saying that there once was a time when God was without his wisdom? Checkmate. Right? So, there are a lot more scriptural and theological debates on this issue, but that gives you a taste.