FIRSTBORN
What Is the Significance of the Firstborn in the Bible?
In the Old Testament, this term denoted the firstborn offspring of humans or animals. The firstborn was accorded a place of special prominence (cf. Gen. 48:13-18; Dt. 21:15-17; 2 Chron. 21:3).
The word also came to be used figuratively. The "firstborn" of death signified a particularly deadly disease (Job 18:13), and the "firstborn" of the poor meant "poorest of the poor" (Isa. 14:30).
In the New Testament, when the church is designated as a congregation of "firstborn [ones]" (Heb. 12:23), the designation underscores the glorious, exalted status of God's people.
Some have grossly misunderstood the description of Christ as "the firstborn of all creation" (Col. 1:15). "Jehovah's Witnesses" allege that this term suggests that Jesus was the first creature created by Jehovah at the beginning of time. This view not only contradicts passages affirming Christ's eternality (e.g., Mic. 5:2; Jn. 1:1; 8:58; Rev. 22:13) but also fails to recognize the meaning of "firstborn" in context.
The "Firstborn" of creation (1:15) does not mean that Christ was the first created being, any more than "firstborn" from the dead suggests he was the first person ever raised from the dead (1:18). In both cases, preeminence or supremacy is emphasized. Note the qualifying phrase in 18b, "that in all things he might have the preeminence."
The word also came to be used figuratively. The "firstborn" of death signified a particularly deadly disease (Job 18:13), and the "firstborn" of the poor meant "poorest of the poor" (Isa. 14:30).
In the New Testament, when the church is designated as a congregation of "firstborn [ones]" (Heb. 12:23), the designation underscores the glorious, exalted status of God's people.
Some have grossly misunderstood the description of Christ as "the firstborn of all creation" (Col. 1:15). "Jehovah's Witnesses" allege that this term suggests that Jesus was the first creature created by Jehovah at the beginning of time. This view not only contradicts passages affirming Christ's eternality (e.g., Mic. 5:2; Jn. 1:1; 8:58; Rev. 22:13) but also fails to recognize the meaning of "firstborn" in context.
The "Firstborn" of creation (1:15) does not mean that Christ was the first created being, any more than "firstborn" from the dead suggests he was the first person ever raised from the dead (1:18). In both cases, preeminence or supremacy is emphasized. Note the qualifying phrase in 18b, "that in all things he might have the preeminence."
Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson
