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No.19b.
The title Head, and its relation to the Fullness.
pp. 128 - 131
There is an evident connection between the title "Firstborn" and the subsequent
statement `For' and `Because' in Him were all things created. John employs the title
`Word' or Logos which was much in use among the Alexandrian philosophers, Paul
uses the title prototokos "Firstborn" in much the same way. This title is found in
Psa. 89: 27 "Also I will make Him My Firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth",
and in the Rabbinical writings the title `Firstborn' (Hebrew bekov) was used as a
recognized title of the Messiah. The sense of priority which this title assumed, was
intended in its use of Israel `Israel is my son, my firstborn' (Exod. 4: 22), for by no
stretch of imagination or argument can Israel be shown to have existed before any other
nation on the earth, their priority being not one of time but of dignity. So entirely
removed from the idea of birth had this title become, that Rabbi Beshai, when writing
on the Pentateuch, actually gives the title "Firstborn of the world" to God Himself.
Other examples of this use and meaning are Job 18: 13 `The firstborn of death' and
Isa. 14: 30 `The firstborn of the poor'. Christ is shown to be the Firstborn of all creation
by the fact that He created everything that is in heaven and in earth. The word `for' being
the Greek hoti means `because', and "it is added to a speaker's words to show what
ground he gives for his opinion". The Apostle gives the grounds for his opinion that
Christ was the Firstborn of every creature, by immediately adding `Because by (or in)
Him were all things created'. The Greek phrase hoti en auto "because in Him comes
twice in this section, and in perfect structural balance.
C | c | CREATION. ta panta "Because in Him."
C | c | RECONCILIATION. ta panta "Because in Him."
In what way does the creation prove that Christ was Firstborn? If we translate
"For BY Him" we see no connection, and we rob ourselves of the parallel reference in
verses 19, 20. If we translate "For IN Him" we open the way to further teaching. Ta
panta is used both of creation (16) and of reconciliation (20). In verse 16 ta panta
moreover is said to be "For Him" eis auton, so in verse 20 ta panta is said to be
reconciled `unto Himself', where the Greek is identical eis auton. Further Christ is set
forth in this passage as `The Firstborn from the dead', indicating that whatever relation
He had to the original creation, He holds to the New, and moreover, we are not left to
make our own deductions, for the Apostle immediately explains in what way Christ is the
Firstborn from the dead, by saying "In order that (hina) He might have the preeminence",
a phrase that is even more suggestive when read in the original. He is `Firstborn'
PROTOTOKOS, in order that He may have the `pre-eminence' PROTEUON (first
place). Yet this is not all. As the firstborn from the dead He is `The Head of the Body
the church'. In Him as Firstborn, that creation which is denominated ta panta had its
origin and being. It included things in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, and the
whole hierarchy of glory. This creation, ta panta was not only created IN Him, but on
account of Him, and for Him. Moreover He is before all, in Him this universe consists,