The term prōtotokos (combination of two Greek words prōtos [“first”] and tiktō [“born”]; in Hebrew bekor) means “firstborn,” so the translation is correct. However, the crucial question is: What is the biblical function of this word? One can find that in some contexts this expression has no connotations of birth or being born first in the family, and the time element does not play a role. The firstborn was a leader, had special privileges, and inherited a double portion to take care of larger family needs (see Gen 25:23; 48:13–20; Deut 21:15–17; 2 Chr 21:3). Important were the responsibilities, rank, authority, and dignity of the firstborn. His position was unique.
The term is used in a figurative sense in phrases like “the firstborn of death” (death considered as the chief enemy; Job 18:13, ESV), “the firstborn of the poor” (meaning the poorest of the poor; Isa 14:30, ESV), and “the assembly of the firstborn” (referring to the exalted position of the redeemed; Heb 12:23, ESV), and Christ being “the firstborn among many brothers” (pointing to His supreme position among them; Rom 8:29, ESV). In the Bible, David was the youngest child, but he became the firstborn because he was exalted to be the king in Israel (1 Sam 16:10–12; Ps 89:20–27). Jacob was not the firstborn, but Esau; yet Jacob was called to be the firstborn (Gen 25:25–26; Exod 4:22). Ephraim was not born first (but Manasseh), yet he is called the firstborn (Gen 41:50–52; Jer 31:9). Judah (rulership) and Levi (religious leadership) received the firstborn privileges instead of Reuben (Gen 35:22; 49:3–4, 8; 1 Chr 5:1–2; Num 3:12–13; Heb 7:5, 9). They all received a very honored position of authority and honor—that is, the position of the firstborn. In today’s world, we speak about the “first lady” or the “first gentleman,” and these terms do not convey the idea that they were born first, but that they have a special position of honor by being the spouse of the president.
How should this term be understood in regard to Jesus? A literal sense of this word is attested when Jesus is described as the “firstborn son” of Mary (Matt 1:25; Luke 2:7). In all other instances, it is a figurative meaning. Paul states that Christ “is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Col 1:15). Other translations like NAU, RSV, and NRS state, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” It is very significant to recognize that according to Colossians 1:16, Christ as the Firstborn is the Creator: “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” Everything was created by Jesus; therefore, He cannot be a creation. The following verse explains even more: “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (1:17).
According to Colossians 1:18, Jesus is the Firstborn from the dead even though Christ was not chronologically the first one who was resurrected to life. Before He was resurrected, there was Moses (Jude 1:9; Matt 17:3; Luke 9:30), the son of the widow of Zeraphath (1 Kgs 17:21–23), the Shunamite’s son (2 Kgs 4:32–37), the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:14–15), Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:40–42), Lazarus (John 11:41–45), and an unknown number of people at the time of Christ’s death on the cross (Matt 27:52–53). However, Christ’s resurrection is the key to all other resurrections (1 Cor 15:13–19). He defeated death and is the Resurrection (John 11:25; 2 Tim 1:10; Rev 1:18). Without Christ’s resurrection no one could be raised to life. Christ is supreme; His preeminence is stressed by the term “firstborn”—namely, to have the first place in everything. Thus, the purpose or intention of the text is explicitly stated: “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence [participle of prōteuō]” (Col 1:18 KJV). The Greek participle of prōteuō means to “be first,” “have first place”—thus to have preeminence.
When all are applied to Jesus, the term “firstborn” describes His exalted position, His key role in the resurrection, and does not imply at all that He was born. Christ is the Key to unlock the graves of all believers and give them eternal life. He has a very privileged, unique, and irreplaceable position—a position of authority, supremacy, and honor as the Creator.