The term "Firstbegotten" is a significant title ascribed to Jesus Christ in the New Testament, emphasizing His preeminence and unique relationship with God the Father. This term is often synonymous with "Firstborn" and is used to convey both the supremacy and the special status of Christ in the divine order and in relation to creation and the Church.

Biblical References:

1. Hebrews 1:6 : "And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says: 'Let all God’s angels worship Him.'" This passage highlights the divine honor and worship due to Christ, underscoring His superiority over the angels and His unique sonship.

2. Colossians 1:15-18 : "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence." Here, "firstborn" signifies Christ's authority and priority in creation and His role as the head of the Church, affirming His resurrection as the first to rise from the dead in a glorified body.

3. Romans 8:29 : "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." This verse speaks to the familial relationship believers have with Christ, who is the "firstborn" in the sense of being the elder brother in the family of God, leading many to glory.

Theological Significance:

The title "Firstbegotten" or "Firstborn" does not imply that Christ was a created being, as some heretical interpretations have suggested. Instead, it denotes His eternal preexistence and His role as the agent of creation. The term is rooted in the cultural and legal context of the ancient Near East, where the firstborn son held a place of honor and inheritance rights. In the biblical context, it signifies Christ's authority, His role in redemption, and His preeminence in all things.

Christ's Preeminence:

The use of "Firstbegotten" underscores the centrality of Christ in God's redemptive plan. As the "firstborn from among the dead," Christ's resurrection is the guarantee of the future resurrection of believers. His preeminence is not only in creation but also in the new creation, the Church, where He is the head and source of life.

Worship and Adoration:

The call for all angels to worship the "Firstbegotten" in Hebrews 1:6 reflects the divine nature of Christ and His worthiness of worship. This worship is due to His unique sonship and His role in the divine economy of salvation.

In summary, the title "Firstbegotten" encapsulates the majesty, authority, and preeminence of Jesus Christ, affirming His divine nature and His central role in both creation and redemption.FIRST-BEGOTTEN

furst-be-got'-'-n (prototokos):

This Greek word is translated in two passages in the King James Version by "first-begotten" (Hebrews 1:6 Revelation 1:5), but in all other places in the King James Version, and always in the Revised Version (British and American), by "firstborn." It is used in its natural literal sense of Jesus Christ as Mary's firstborn (Luke 2:7 Matthew 1:25 the King James Version); it also bears the literal sense of Jesus Christ as Mary's firstborn (Luke 2:7 Matthew 1:25 the King James Version); it also bears the literal sense of the firstborn of the firstborn of men and animals (Hebrews 11:28). It is not used in the New Testament or Septuagint of an only child, which is expressed by monogenes (see below).

Metaphorically, it is used of Jesus Christ to express at once His relation to man and the universe and His difference from them, as both He and they are related to God. The laws and customs of all nations show that to be "firstborn" means, not only priority in time, but a certain superiority in privilege and authority. Israel is Yahweh's firstborn among the nations (Exodus 4:22; compare Jeremiah 31:9). The Messianic King is God's firstborn Septuagint prototokos), "the highest of the kings of the earth" (Psalm 89:27). Philo applies the word to the Logos as the archetypal and governing idea of creation. Similarly Christ, as "the firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15), is not only prior to it in time, but above it in power and authority. "All things have been created through him, and unto him" (Colossians 1:16).

He is "sovereign Lord over all creation by virtue of primo-geniture" (Lightfoot). It denotes His status and character and not His origin; the context does not admit the idea that He is a part of the created universe. So in His incarnation He is brought into the world as "firstborn," and God summons all His angels to worship Him (Hebrews 1:6). In His resurrection He is "firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18) or "of the dead" (Revelation 1:5), the origin and prince of life. And finally He is "firstborn among many brethren" in the consummation of God's purpose of grace, when all the elect are gathered home. Not only is He their Lord, but also their pattern, God's ideal Son and men are "foreordained to be conformed to (his) image" (Romans 8:29). Therefore the saints themselves, as growing in His likeness, and as possessing all the privileges of eldest sons, including the kingdom and the priesthood, may be called the "church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven" (Hebrews 12:23).

See also BEGOTTEN, and Lightfoot on Colossians 1:15.

T. Rees

4416. prototokos -- first-born
... firstborn From protos and the alternate of tikto; first-born (usually as noun,
literally or figuratively) -- firstbegotten(-born). see GREEK protos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4416.htm - 7k

The Firstborn.
... The Firstborn. "THE Firstborn" or "The Firstbegotten" is one of the names of our
blessed Lord. It is applied to Him after His resurrection from the dead. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the firstborn.htm

Letter Xliv Concerning the Maccabees but to whom Written is ...
... For the Firstbegotten from the dead, He who opened to believers the kingdom of Heaven,
the Lamb of the tribe of Judah, who opens and no more shuts, at Whose ...
/.../letter xliv concerning the maccabees.htm

The Waiting Christ.
... Then the Father will bring in the firstbegotten into the world (Heb. i:6) and
He will receive the nations for His inheritance (Psalm ii). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the waiting christ.htm

The Man Christ Jesus
... Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Think of that word of old: "When he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the man christ jesus.htm

Firstbegotten (1 Occurrence)
...Firstbegotten (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the
firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. ...
/f/firstbegotten.htm - 10k

First-begotten (2 Occurrences)
First-begotten. Firstbegotten, First-begotten. Firstborn . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia ... Firstbegotten, First-begotten. Firstborn . Reference Bible.
/f/first-begotten.htm - 10k

Bringeth (313 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 1:6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he
saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/b/bringeth.htm - 37k

First (4693 Occurrences)

/f/first.htm - 101k

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