The Significance of Christ as the Firstborn of the Dead (“𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬..”- Col. 1:18)

The Significance of Christ as the Firstborn of the Dead (“𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬..”- Col. 1:18)

The concept of Christ being the "firstborn of the dead" is significant because it indicates his priority of time in being the first to rise from the dead to die no more. This idea is linked by the phrase “that in all things,” to his being the "firstborn of all creation," which in a corresponding manner means priority in time, necessarily implying priority of rank. The combination of these two phrases in Colossians 1:18 - "..the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence" - serves to underscore Christ's supreme position in both the original creation and the new creation brought about by his resurrection.

As Eadie’s Comm. indicates, when the word "before" is connected with persons, it always bears a primary meaning of priority of time in the New Testament. Thus, in Colossians 1:17, "And he is before all things," this phrase also denotes Christ's priority of time in relation to all things, which includes both the first creation and the new creation.

Therefore, the phrase "that in all things he might have the preeminence" takes on added significance because it represents the culmination of Christ's status as both firstborn of all creation and firstborn from the dead, confirming his position as the supreme authority over all things under God himself.

In that Christ is the first to rise from the dead, it is asserted that he has priority in time over all those who will rise after him. In that he is also the firstborn of all creation, it means that he has priority in time over all created things. Therefore, Christ's priority in time as the firstborn of all creation and the first to rise from the dead establishes his preeminence and supreme authority over all things, completing the picture of his supremacy in both the old and new creations.