Firstborn

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This term is used in Scripture in two ways:
•  To denote those who are born first in a family—birth order.
•  To denote those who are first in rank and position, having a place of preeminence among others.
Some examples of the two ways in which the term is used in the Old Testament are:
Colossians 1:1515Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Colossians 1:15) says that He is “the Firstborn of all creation.” Being the Creator of the universe (John 1:33All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3), etc.), when He came into the world (His incarnation), He could have no other place than that of Head of His own creation. Being the Firstborn among His creatures distinguishes Him as having a superior place to them. Colossians 1:1818And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18) indicates that the Lord is Firstborn in another way. When He rose “from among the dead,” He became the “Firstborn” of a whole new race of men (Rom. 8:2929For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29) – “many brethren”). Since they are of the same “kind” as He is in new creation (compare Gen. 1:2424And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. (Genesis 1:24)), they are entirely suited to be His eternal companions, and thus “He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Heb. 2:1111For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (Hebrews 2:11)). As “the Firstborn from the dead,” the Lord Jesus is the triumphant Redeemer who now has the right to receive the saints’ praise and worship (Rev. 1:5-65And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5‑6)). Revelation 1:55And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, (Revelation 1:5) indicates that the Lord as “Firstborn” has the title and right to take the inheritance (every created thing) and to reign over it, which He will do at His Appearing (Rev. 1:77Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. (Revelation 1:7)). (Hebrews 1:66And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Hebrews 1:6), in the KJV says “First-begotten,” but it should be translated “Firstborn.”)
As “Firstborn,” the Lord has many brethren under Him in His new creation race (Rom. 8:2929For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)), but as the “Only-begotten,” there are no brethren connected with Him because that term denotes divine essence, which no creature can have or will ever reach. (See Only-begotten.)
THE CHURCH OF GOD—The term is also applied to the Christians. In the Greek manuscripts it is in plural, and is translated by W. Kelly as “firstborns [firstborn ones]” to indicate it (Heb. 12:2323To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:23)). This shows that those who have been called by the gospel today, and thus are part of the Church of God, have been set in a special and favoured place among all of God’s blessed creatures in His family (Eph. 3:1515Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, (Ephesians 3:15)). They have a superior place in the family of God—even above angels—with superior blessings that correspond with their privileged place! It is not that they are better than the others in the family, but because God has purposed to display “the glory of His grace” through them (Eph. 1:66To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)). He has taken the lowest of men and through grace has set them in the highest possible place of blessing. (See Adoption.)