The term “firstborn” is used three times of the Lord Jesus Christ in relation to others: the Firstborn of every creature (Col. 1:15); the Firstborn from the dead (Col. 1:18); the Firstborn among many brethren (Rom. 8:29).
An excellent definition of firstborn is found in Genesis 49:33. Jacob, in his last message to his sons, refers to his eldest son, Reuben, as “my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength; the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power.” Thus it would seem that at least three things are implied in the scriptural use of the word: priority in time, in dignity, and in power. Let us see how these priorities are exemplified in the three relationships mentioned above.
The Firstborn of Every Creature
The Lord’s threefold priority as “Firstborn of every creature” (or, as the rv, “of all creation”) is seen in the three prepositions the Revisers use concerning Him in Colossians 2:16. He is the prototype, God’s ideal, the One whose uncreated glory is manifested in the glory of creation.
1. The Lord was before all, for in Him, as architect, were all things created. His was the mind that conceived the great plan of the universe. He was the “I AM” before “the earth was…when there were no depths…when there were no fountains abounding with water…before the mountains were settled” (Prov. 8:23-25).
2. The Son of God had a dignity greater than all created beings, for all were created unto Him, that is, for His glory. Even the seraphim, the highest of His creatures, veiled their faces in His presence; they spoke of His holiness high over all; they confessed that “the fullness of the whole earth is His glory” (Isa. 6:3).
3. The Lord was preeminent in power with regard to creation, as through Him all things were created. Man today may boast of launching satellites into space, but what puny efforts they are compared with creating worlds, and suns, and constellations, and nebulae. Not only did the Lord make all these by His power, but by that same power He keeps each in its respective orbit. What a mighty Creator!
The Firstborn from The Dead
As “Firstborn from the dead” the Lord was the first to rise, no more to die. This the Lord had indicated was the criterion of true resurrection (Lk. 20:36). Jairus’ daughter, the son of the widow of Nain, and Lazarus were raised from the dead, but they returned to their graves, to await the quickening shout when the Lord comes back to meet His loved ones in the air.
Christ is also described as the “Firstfruits” of the resurrection, as preceding all others (1 Cor. 15:23). After His resurrection, the Lord was set at God’s right hand in the heavenly places, far above all the angelic ranks, with all things under His feet–the place of supreme dignity (Eph. 1:20-22). He is exalted and extolled, and is very high (Isa. 52:13). The power that raised Christ from the dead Paul describes as exceeding great, the working of the strength of the might of God (Eph. 1:19, rv). Note the ascending climax as Paul heaps up words in an attempt to express a power so mighty that his mind cannot comprehend it.
The Firstborn Among Many Brethren
In the title “Firstborn among many brethren” we see the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilling a great plan that God conceived in ages past. God had found perfect pleasure in His Son from all eternity. He wished to have “many sons” like Christ, to enjoy with Him eternal bliss. To this end the earth was made, and man placed upon it. The Son of God took on Himself manhood to die man’s death. He provided a means whereby man, who had become estranged from God, might be reconciled and be fitted to share His throne.
Of this elect band, whom the Lord calls “brethren” (Heb. 2:11) He is the first. His incarnation and death made possible this brotherhood. He is called “the Author of their salvation,” lit., the File-leader, the One who goes first, leading many sons to glory (Heb. 2:10). This word “Author” is again used of the Lord in Hebrews 12:2, there pointing Him out as the File-leader whose faith we should seek to emulate.
The dignity of the Son of God is such that the Father desires that we, the sons of God, should be conformed to His image. He is set before us as the great example, “Till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a full-grown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13, rv). While He is pleased to call us brethren, it is better that we should not call Him our “elder Brother.” His dignity is such as to place Him far above us. Let us never forget to acknowledge His Lordship.
His priority of power is seen in His conquest of Satan, who had the power of death, and who kept the children all their lifetime subject to bondage. But the Lord, through His death, has wrought a mighty deliverance.
His power is also manifest in our weaknesses. As to Paul, so He says to us, “My power is made perfect in weakness.” May we with all our hearts reply, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9). As His brethren, we follow Him; we worship Him; we can do all things through Him that strengthens us.
In our thinking, then, let us not give the Lord merely a place with others, nor even prominence, but preeminence in all things. This is His by right, and it is “the good pleasure of the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell” (Col. 1:19, rv).
Join all the glorious names
Of wisdom, love, and power,
That mortals ever knew,
That angels ever bore:
All are too mean to speak His worth,
Too mean to set my Saviour forth.