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First Born study
First Born study
Paul has described Jesus as the Firstborn several times: Col. 1:15, 18. Here is a short study on the meaning and usage of the term ‘firstborn’.
Firstborn NOT ALWAYS ‘first in time’ – but SOMETIMES (even ‘often’) –
Esau they firstborn – Gen. 27:19
Firstborn in the land of Egypt died (both man and beast) – Exod. 11:5
Jesus was Mary’s firstborn son, Luke 2:7
SOMETIMES ‘firstborn’ refers to POSITION and not time!
Firstborn of death (the most fatal and deadly disease) Job 18:13
Firstborn of poor (pre-eminent in poverty) Isa. 14:30
Make David the Firstborn of God, higher than the kings of the earth: Psa. 89:27
NOT the firstborn of his own family! – 1 Sam. 17:12-13
Church of the Firstborn (ones – here plural!) – Heb. 12:23 – here speaking of those who comprise the church)
Whole nation of Israel called God’s “Firstborn’ – Exod. 4:22
Again, Ephraim (Israel) as a nation is called God’s firstborn – Jeremiah 31:9
A LAW was given: not ‘make’ the one who was not born first to be the firstborn! Deut. 21:16 - (this would involve giving a double portion of the inheritance / and position of pre-eminence among his siblings).
NOW in chapter 2, knowing the above pre-eminence of Jesus, Paul simply exhorts disciples: “6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:6-8).
Have you been deceived about Jesus? Let us KNOW and HOLD fast!
Hugh DeLong
