Colossians 1:18 "And He is the head of the body, the church (ecclesia), who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." (NKJV)
(LITV) And He is the Head of the body, the assembly, who is the Beginning, the First-born out of the dead, that He be preeminent in all things;
(YLT) And himself is the head of the body--the assembly--who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all things --himself--first,
(CLV) And He is the Head of the body, the ecclesia, Who is Sovereign, Firstborn from among the dead, that in all He may be becoming first,
I'm giving you 4 different translations of the same verse to show you how confusing the bible can get. Keep in mind the story of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection will never change, they are consistent throughout, however details differ, which is why we have so many different churches (denominations).
What I want you to see from this verse is "firstborn". Who is the "firstborn from among the dead"? Is Paul is talking of the church being the firstborn? Considering the context is Christ the firstborn from among the dead? I believe if you read the chapter over closely you will see that the "firstborn from among the dead" has to be Christ. The meaning is just that, Christ was the first to rise from the dead, and Paul knows that fact to be true, hence the title. The church has yet to resurrect from the dead. (see 1 Thess. 4:13-18) Christ is referred to as the "Firstfruit of those who are reposing". (1 Corinthians 15:20)
I love the word "firstborn" to describe Christ. No other person can claim that title, no other person can claim that fame, and no other person deserves our attention like Jesus the Christ. The firstborn in any family is said to have to best chances for success, money, and fame; I'm not sure whether that is true or not, but there is no doubt that the Firstborn in all creation has taken that honor. Among the creation there is no one I'd rather get to know this coming year than God the son, Jesus. May God give you the desire and passion to really know the Firstborn among creation and from among the dead.
Grace, MB
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3 comments:
I will have to go with what I believe it is saying in the bible that I am reading, is that Jesus is the first born. But all those verses and translations that you list there read like the church is the first born with Jesus being the head of it. My NIV translates, "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everyting he might have the supremacy.
I think that reads way different than those translations. But on the contrary. Jesus, was not the first to be resurrected from the dead. Didn't Jesus himself resurrect people from the dead? So how is he the first, unless they are speaking of A.D.
Lori
Good question, but actually Jesus is the first to be resurrected from the dead and receieve a resurrected body, an immortal body. 1 Timothy 6:16
1Ti 6:16 who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
OH, YEAH, A resurrected body like one that can eat and walk through doors....cool. ok
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