Today’s Greek Word In Focus (1)
Grk Word:- Prototokos
(pro-tot-ok'-os) – This word is translated Firstborn in English and it
appeared about two times in the gospels (one time Matthew used it and one time
Luke used it). Also it appears about five times in the Epistles and it was
mainly used by Apostle Paul and the writer of the book of Hebrews. The word Prototokos
is a noun and can be used literally and figuratively. The English word
(firstborn) used for it somehow limited the full meaning of the word. The word
firstborn literally mean that which opens the womb of a woman especially as it
is used in the gospel. That is the first child of a woman, and culturally, it
is important to point out that this word cannot be used for a female
child.
However, in the Epistles, the usage indicates something
slightly different from the way and manner it was used in the gospels. Here the
word Prototokos doesn’t just mean the firstborn that opens the womb; it reveals
something greater in meaning than that. At the time of translation, the English
language was limited in its vocabulary and as result the closest word to use is
firstborn, hence the use of the word firstborn. The Prototokos as used in the
Epistles doesn’t just mean firstborn but it means the sample of a kind of a
thing. It means the prototype or model of a product.
This word is mainly used to refer to Christ, that is to
say that Christ is the prototype of a kind of creation that has come into
being. And these created beings are the born-again believers. That is why
Apostle Paul used it in this verse in his epistle to the Romans this way – “ For
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).
Please mark the statement among many brethren, it is very important because it
an indication that Prototokos and His brethren came from the same source. Here,
David in the spirit spoke of about this class of people that will be created
and he prophesied about it. “This shall be written for the generation to come:
and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.” And the believers
are the people that have been created and today we have no choice than to
praise the Lord!
Till I come your way again, keep on
basking in the Arena of Indubi1table Truth!
Chukwuemeka C. Asiegbu
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