In the modern world, we do not pay much attention to birth order in families, but in the Word of God the firstborn is mentioned many times. The term occurs multiple times in the Old Testament, but in our KJV it is mentioned only seven times in the New Testament. In particular, the term is used a number of times to refer to the Lord Jesus in both Old and New Testaments.
While the term often refers to the one who was first in birth order, yet in other cases, and particularly with reference to the Lord Jesus, it refers to the place of prominence, preeminent rights, and rank. We find this meaning used in Jacob’s family in the Old Testament, for we read, “The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father’s bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph’s)” (1 Chron. 5:1-21Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. 2For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:) (1 Chronicles 5:1‑2)). Reuben was the firstborn in time, but he lost it because of his sin, and Joseph obtained the first place, or birthright.
The term “firstborn” was also used in the same way among the nations, for the Lord could say to Pharaoh through Moses, “Israel is my son, even my firstborn” (Ex. 4:2222And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: (Exodus 4:22)). This does not mean that Israel was the first in time to become a nation, but rather their precedence over other nations.
With the Lord Jesus, He did not need to displace anyone else in order to take the place of firstborn, but He was called the Firstborn because He was the Son of God. God the Father has appointed Him to the highest place in every way.
The Only Begotten Son
Other terms in the Word of God concerning the Lord Jesus have sometimes caused confusion, even in the minds of true believers, and sadly, these terms have sometimes been wrongly interpreted to lower the dignity of God’s beloved Son.
In particular, the Lord Jesus is called in Scripture “the only begotten Son.” The term “begotten” is used in the Old Testament prophetically concerning the Lord Jesus, for Jehovah could say, “Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee” (Psa. 2:77I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (Psalm 2:7)). In the New Testament, the term is used only in John’s ministry, and it is mentioned five times. Almost all believers have memorized John 3:16,16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) where we read that God “gave His only begotten Son.” This phrase is used in connection with the Lord Jesus’ coming into this world and becoming a Man. It is also used particularly in connection with the showing out of God’s love to this world. It is important to realize, however, that He was the only begotten Son before He was given. The term is used in connection with His coming into this world only to distinguish that fact; it has nothing to do with His eternal existence as the Son of God.
The First Begotten of the Dead
Likewise, we have the term (used in 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)) “the first begotten of the dead.” Here it refers to the fact that God’s only begotten Son, having fully accomplished the work that the Father gave Him to do, has now risen from the dead. He was not the first one in time to be brought back from the dead, for this had happened a number of times before, where those who had been dead in this world were raised up and brought back to life down here.
However, here is One who, in the power of the Godhead, never saw corruption, but was raised from the dead as the preeminent One, above all others. He must have the first place: “That in all things He might have the preeminence” (Col. 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)).
The Firstborn of All Creation
There are three other expressions in the Word of God that refer to the Lord Jesus as the Firstborn, and all of them add to our understanding of the Person of that blessed One. The first one is found in Colossians 1:15,15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Colossians 1:15) where the Lord Jesus is referred to as “the Firstborn of every creature.” However, the translation here is not as clear as it could be, for it could be inferred from this expression that the Lord Jesus was a creature Himself. But this He never was, nor could be, for the word “creature,” by virtue of its definition, implies something that is created. A better rendering is “firstborn of all creation” (JND trans.).
In being referred to as the “firstborn of all creation,” the Lord Jesus is given the place of dignity and headship over all creation. He existed before creation, for we read also that “all things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:33All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3)). When He entered His own creation as man, He came in all the dignity of the One who had made it all.
Christ’s Preeminence
His preeminence in all creation is further brought out by two phrases in the next verse (Col. 1:1616For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: (Colossians 1:16)), for there we read twice that “by Him were all things created,” and “all things were created by Him, and for Him.” This is not merely repetition, for the two words translated “by” are not the same in the original language. The first word “by” has the thought of “in virtue of Him,” showing us that the Lord Jesus created all things in His own inherent right as God. However, He did not act independently of His place in the Godhead, so the second word “by” has the thought of “by means of Him.” God the Son is always the One who carries out the Father’s purposes and counsels, and thus the Lord Jesus is the Creator of all things. The act of creation was that of the full Godhead, but the Lord Jesus was the One by means of which it was all carried out. All things were created through Him, but all things were also created for His glory. What an object for our wonder and praise is that blessed One!
Firstborn From the Dead
The second expression “firstborn” as applied to the Lord Jesus is found in Colossians 1:18: “firstborn from the dead,” or perhaps more accurately, “firstborn from among the dead.” Once again, this refers to the Lord Jesus in His preeminence, as having been raised from among the dead. The truth of resurrection was well-known in the Old Testament, but a resurrection from among the dead, while others were left in their graves, was not known.
More than this, the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead with a glorified body, never to die again. There were those in the Old Testament who were raised from the dead, such as the boy who was brought back to life by Elijah, or the man who revived when his body was put into the grave of Elisha. In the New Testament our Lord Jesus Himself raised some from the dead, such as the widow of Nain’s son and Lazarus. However, all of these were raised up to life in this world, and eventually they had to die again. But our Lord Jesus was raised with a body of glory — a body suited to a celestial sphere, not an earthly one. As such, He is the Firstborn from among the dead, and the pattern that will be followed by all of the heavenly saints. At the Lord’s coming for His saints, believers from both Old and New Testaments will be raised with bodies of glory, “fashioned like unto His glorious body” (Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)). Our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed the Firstborn from among the dead, and the One who has already entered heaven with a body of glory.
Firstborn Among Many Brethren
Finally, we have that beautiful expression, “Firstborn among many brethren” (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)). In the counsels of God, He has predestinated us to be “conformed to the image of His Son,” so that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren. Our blessed Lord Jesus has become a man, and He will remain a man for all eternity, in order to enjoy your company and mine. But God has purposed to have a family in heaven where each one is perfectly like His beloved Son. In that sense, when the Lord Jesus became a man and then, as we have seen, rose from the dead as a man, He became the Firstborn among many brethren. That means that all who belong to Christ will be perfectly like that One who is the Firstborn — the foremost and distinguished One who has gone before, and the One whom we will perfectly resemble in a coming day. He is not ashamed to call us 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)), for He has brought us into that close relationship with Himself.
W. J. Prost