Words

[placebofactor]

I love to study words. How many times do we read through the Bible and not get the full impact of certain words. I found this old article that's been on my website for thirty years now. I think you may enjoy it, so I'll post it.

Words
In Christianity, Satan is our enemy. In Hebrew, Satan is “the adversary.” and comes from the root which means “to persecute.” In its earliest sense, Satan referred only to a human adversary and first appeared as the name of a distinct personality in 1 Chronicles 21:1. “And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.”

The devil, in the beginning, meant “slanderer.” Greek is diabolos, while our word angel came from the Greek word angellos meaning “a messenger” or “a herald.” It was through the influence of the Bible that the devil, the angels, and Satan took on the meanings that are now familiar to us. And for the sake of our records, Belial translates from the Hebrew as “worthless” or “wickedness” and Bellzebub meant “God of the flies,” from baal, “god” and zebub, “flies,” for he was the god of the Philistines who could summon or send away the hordes of flies that brought with them the pestilence and the plague.”

The church has many holidays, and in modern-day usage, we make some distinctions between holidays and holy days. The Middle English word “halidai, or holy day is applied to either one, which is not so strange when we consider how many holidays have their origin in some religious observance.

The Middle English period extended roughly from the Norman invasion in 1066 to the time on or about 1500.

There is Easter, once the name of the old Germanic goddess of the dawn and the spring, a name that is connected with the East where the dawn comes up. The festival was celebrated at the time of the spring equinox, and so, by confusion, one of the great Christian holidays bears a pagan name.

Among other special days, there is Halloween and Saint Valentine’s Day.
Halloween stands for, “All-Hollow-Even,” the even of All Saints or All Hallows. The word hallow still survives with us as a verb that means “to make holy” as in the Lord’s Prayer when we say, “Hallowed be Thy name.” According to the old Celtic calendar, the last day in October was New Year’s Eve, but the church imposed All Saint’s Eve on this heathen holiday.

Saint Valentine’s Day is in honor of the Roman Ecclesiastic and Christian martyr who was beheaded in the 3rd century by Emperor Claudius. The practice of sending valentines to persons of the opposite sex grew out of an old belief prevalent even before the time of Chaucer, that the mating season of the birds began on St. Valentine’s Day.

Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet, born in 1343, and died 1400: his most noted work, is the manuscript of the prologue to “The Canterbury Tales.”

The word for "Christmas" derives from an Old English term that dates back to 1038 A.D., "Cristes Maesse." The term means "The mass of Christ," which is evidence of its Catholic roots. "Mass" comes from the Latin missa, and refers to the service of Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper.

The word sabbath, our one holiday in seven, was spelled “shabath” in Hebrew, and meant “rest.”

The word congregation, Latin con., meaning “with,” and grex, meaning “herd,” the flock that is all “herded” together to be led by its pastor or “shepherd,” in the case of Christians, Jesus Christ is, that Shepherd.
Jeremiah 30:20, the LORD said, “And their congregation shall be established before me.”

The words rapture and rape both mean “overcome,” carried away” and derive from the Latin rapio which also means “to carry off,” and usually by force. Also, a person can look upon a beautiful view with rapture, and be ‘carried away” by it, or, they can be enraptured with beautiful woman and look upon her with rape in their heart.

Also, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we (Christians) which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,”

1 Corinthians 3:18, “If any man among you seems to be wise in this world (age), let him become a fool, that he may be wise.”

Let those who talk too much take care, for the Latin word “follis,” which gave us “fool,” means “a windbag.” Yet there is a more innocent way than this to get the reputation of being foolish. The ancient Greeks called those who didn’t hold public office “idiotes,” and this may be what many of our politicians think of us today.”

Genesis 3:1, “Now the serpent was more subtile than any beast of the field”

The Latin “subtilis” originally meant “finespun,” from sub, “beneath,” and tela, “web.” The devil “weaves” his words into delicate and subtle phrases.
Daniel 9:27, “and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate.”

To the Greeks and Romans omens were signs of things to come, and in this world of ours many dread the future. When we abominate anything, we use the above Latin phrase, for the word is from ab, “away,” and omen, “omen.” Christians are to hate and loathe abominable things, as in idols. They are evil “omens” and we want them to stay “away” from us. We also discover omen in our English word ominous.

[placebofactor]

Firstborn:

Birthright, or primogenitor is the rule of law under which the family’s eldest son succeeds to the father’s estate in preference to the younger sons and sisters. Concerning birthright, according to Jewish tradition and custom, the firstborn son was consecrated (set aside) to the Lord.

Exodus 22:29, “The firstborn of thy sons shall you give unto me (God.)” To God belonged, Genesis 49:3, “The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.”

The eldest son always had a double portion of the estate allotted to him. Deuteronomy 21:17 says, “Giving him a double portion of all that he has.”

In the royal families’ rule of government and kingdoms came the inheritance of, the firstborn.

2 Chronicles 21:3, “Jehoshaphat died, -- and “The kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the first-born.”

But the rights and privileges of the firstborn could nevertheless be forfeited by improper conduct and transferred to a younger son, as we see in the case of Isaac, and what transpired between Esau and Jacob.

Hebrews 12:16, “Unless there be any fornication, or profane (godless) person as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”

Genesis reveals to us how Isaac transferred the privileges of his birthright to his younger son, Jacob. Genesis 27:37, Isaac tells Esau, “Behold, I have made him (Jacob) thy lord (master), and all his brethren have I given to him for servants.” To grant dominion or rule on anyone is to grant him firstborn privileges.”

Psalms 89:27, “And I (the LORD) will make him (Jesus Christ) my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.”

Concerning the dignity conferred upon Jesus Christ as the head of his body, the church, suffering scourging, and death then raised from the dead, was crowned by His Father with glory and in all things he might have the pre-eminence.”

Revelation 1:5, “The first begotten from the dead,” and Hebrews 1:2, “The heir of all things.

The Father, by raising Jesus from the dead and exalting him to the throne of His glory in the heavens, is said to have constituted him,

Acts 2:36, “Both Lord and Christ,” and Acts 10:36, “Lord of all,” which is to be equivalent to His being, “Heir of all things.” In this does Jesus have supreme dominion as the Lord, proprietor, ruler, and disposer of all persons and things;

Matthew 28:18, Jesus said, “All power and authority are given to me both in heaven and in earth.”

John supports the above, John 3:35, “The Father loves the Son, and hath given all things into his hands.”

[onewithhim]

Firstborn:

Birthright, or primogenitor is the rule of law under which the family’s eldest son succeeds to the father’s estate in preference to the younger sons and sisters. Concerning birthright, according to Jewish tradition and custom, the firstborn son was consecrated (set aside) to the Lord.

Exodus 22:29, “The firstborn of thy sons shall you give unto me (God.)” To God belonged, Genesis 49:3, “The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.”

The eldest son always had a double portion of the estate allotted to him. Deuteronomy 21:17 says, “Giving him a double portion of all that he has.”

In the royal families’ rule of government and kingdoms came the inheritance of, the firstborn.

2 Chronicles 21:3, “Jehoshaphat died, -- and “The kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the first-born.”

But the rights and privileges of the firstborn could nevertheless be forfeited by improper conduct and transferred to a younger son, as we see in the case of Isaac, and what transpired between Esau and Jacob.

Hebrews 12:16, “Unless there be any fornication, or profane (godless) person as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”

Genesis reveals to us how Isaac transferred the privileges of his birthright to his younger son, Jacob. Genesis 27:37, Isaac tells Esau, “Behold, I have made him (Jacob) thy lord (master), and all his brethren have I given to him for servants.” To grant dominion or rule on anyone is to grant him firstborn privileges.”

Psalms 89:27, “And I (the LORD) will make him (Jesus Christ) my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.”

Concerning the dignity conferred upon Jesus Christ as the head of his body, the church, suffering scourging, and death then raised from the dead, was crowned by His Father with glory and in all things he might have the pre-eminence.”

Revelation 1:5, “The first begotten from the dead,” and Hebrews 1:2, “The heir of all things.

"Firstborn" in Jesus' case also means that he is the "firstborn of creation," the very first thing created by God.

"These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God." (Revelation 3:14b, KJV)

[Jesus] "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." (Colossians 1:15, KJV)

After his creation, Jesus always did the things pleasing to his Father, so he was awarded the highest position in heaven, 2nd only to the Father.

"Then said Jesus unto them, 'When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.'" (John 8: 28,29, KJV)

[placebofactor]

Firstborn:

Birthright, or primogenitor is the rule of law under which the family’s eldest son succeeds to the father’s estate in preference to the younger sons and sisters. Concerning birthright, according to Jewish tradition and custom, the firstborn son was consecrated (set aside) to the Lord.

Exodus 22:29, “The firstborn of thy sons shall you give unto me (God.)” To God belonged, Genesis 49:3, “The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.”

The eldest son always had a double portion of the estate allotted to him. Deuteronomy 21:17 says, “Giving him a double portion of all that he has.”

In the royal families’ rule of government and kingdoms came the inheritance of, the firstborn.

2 Chronicles 21:3, “Jehoshaphat died, -- and “The kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the first-born.”

But the rights and privileges of the firstborn could nevertheless be forfeited by improper conduct and transferred to a younger son, as we see in the case of Isaac, and what transpired between Esau and Jacob.

Hebrews 12:16, “Unless there be any fornication, or profane (godless) person as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”

Genesis reveals to us how Isaac transferred the privileges of his birthright to his younger son, Jacob. Genesis 27:37, Isaac tells Esau, “Behold, I have made him (Jacob) thy lord (master), and all his brethren have I given to him for servants.” To grant dominion or rule on anyone is to grant him firstborn privileges.”

Psalms 89:27, “And I (the LORD) will make him (Jesus Christ) my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.”

Concerning the dignity conferred upon Jesus Christ as the head of his body, the church, suffering scourging, and death then raised from the dead, was crowned by His Father with glory and in all things he might have the pre-eminence.”

Revelation 1:5, “The first begotten from the dead,” and Hebrews 1:2, “The heir of all things.

"Firstborn" in Jesus' case also means that he is the "firstborn of creation," the very first thing created by God.

"These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God." (Revelation 3:14b, KJV)

[Jesus] "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." (Colossians 1:15, KJV)

After his creation, Jesus always did the things pleasing to his Father, so he was awarded the highest position in heaven, 2nd only to the Father.

"Then said Jesus unto them, 'When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.'" (John 8: 28,29, KJV)

No, no, no. First born not in this verse. Stong's concordance # 1321. Look it up. Firstborn: Greek is, prototokos. First-born here is used as a past particle, which expresses a completed action. There is the first-born of a father or mother (mortals); Matthew 1:25, "Her firstborn son: -- Jesus." Luke 2:7. Including also the first-born of animals, Hebrews 11:28. Septuagint for Hebrew, Genesis 27:19-32, "Thy firstborn Esau." Also, of animals, Exodus 12:12-29.

But as a trope, or metaphor, first-born, refers to the first, the chief, one highly distinguished and preeminent; so, of Christ, as the beloved Son of God before the creation,

Colossians 1:15, "The firstborn of every creature," the head, he who is distinguished and preeminent above everything, collectively with verse 16. Hebrews 1:6, "When He (the Father) bringeth in the first begotten into the world, He said, and let all the angels of God worship Him," collectively with verse 5, The Father said, "This day have I begotten thee?"

“To bring or bringeth in” in the above verse is to introduce into the world. See Luke 14:21, the servant was told to bring in to Jesus, the poor, maimed, lame, and blind

Concerning Jesus followers (the saved), Romans 8:29, "The firstborn among many brethren," compared with Colossians 1:18, "The head of the body, the church: WHO IS THE BEGINNING, The firstborn from the dead," or as the first to rise from the dead, the Leader and Prince of those who shall arise.

Revelation 1:5, "The first begotten of the dead." The Septuagint for Hebrew, Christ; or the Messiah, Psalms 89:27, "My firstborn." Of the saints in heaven, probably those formerly most distinguished on earth by the favor and love of God, as patriarchs, prophets, apostles, etc. Hebrews 12:23, "Church of the firstborn." Septuagint for Hebrew, "Israel is my son, my firstborn," Exodus 4:22; Of Ephraim, Jeremiah 31:9, "Ephraim is my firstborn."

[onewithhim]

Firstborn:

Birthright, or primogenitor is the rule of law under which the family’s eldest son succeeds to the father’s estate in preference to the younger sons and sisters. Concerning birthright, according to Jewish tradition and custom, the firstborn son was consecrated (set aside) to the Lord.

Exodus 22:29, “The firstborn of thy sons shall you give unto me (God.)” To God belonged, Genesis 49:3, “The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.”

The eldest son always had a double portion of the estate allotted to him. Deuteronomy 21:17 says, “Giving him a double portion of all that he has.”

In the royal families’ rule of government and kingdoms came the inheritance of, the firstborn.

2 Chronicles 21:3, “Jehoshaphat died, -- and “The kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the first-born.”

But the rights and privileges of the firstborn could nevertheless be forfeited by improper conduct and transferred to a younger son, as we see in the case of Isaac, and what transpired between Esau and Jacob.

Hebrews 12:16, “Unless there be any fornication, or profane (godless) person as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”

Genesis reveals to us how Isaac transferred the privileges of his birthright to his younger son, Jacob. Genesis 27:37, Isaac tells Esau, “Behold, I have made him (Jacob) thy lord (master), and all his brethren have I given to him for servants.” To grant dominion or rule on anyone is to grant him firstborn privileges.”

Psalms 89:27, “And I (the LORD) will make him (Jesus Christ) my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.”

Concerning the dignity conferred upon Jesus Christ as the head of his body, the church, suffering scourging, and death then raised from the dead, was crowned by His Father with glory and in all things he might have the pre-eminence.”

Revelation 1:5, “The first begotten from the dead,” and Hebrews 1:2, “The heir of all things.

"Firstborn" in Jesus' case also means that he is the "firstborn of creation," the very first thing created by God.

"These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God." (Revelation 3:14b, KJV)

[Jesus] "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." (Colossians 1:15, KJV)

After his creation, Jesus always did the things pleasing to his Father, so he was awarded the highest position in heaven, 2nd only to the Father.

"Then said Jesus unto them, 'When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.'" (John 8: 28,29, KJV)

Just look at the scriptures I cited and it is obvious that Jesus is the first-born of all creatures. He is the first, as you said, but not just the first in "begotten from the dead." Wouldn't there be some bias in rejecting this fact?

[placebofactor]

Firstborn:

Birthright, or primogenitor is the rule of law under which the family’s eldest son succeeds to the father’s estate in preference to the younger sons and sisters. Concerning birthright, according to Jewish tradition and custom, the firstborn son was consecrated (set aside) to the Lord.

Exodus 22:29, “The firstborn of thy sons shall you give unto me (God.)” To God belonged, Genesis 49:3, “The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.”

The eldest son always had a double portion of the estate allotted to him. Deuteronomy 21:17 says, “Giving him a double portion of all that he has.”

In the royal families’ rule of government and kingdoms came the inheritance of, the firstborn.

2 Chronicles 21:3, “Jehoshaphat died, -- and “The kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the first-born.”

But the rights and privileges of the firstborn could nevertheless be forfeited by improper conduct and transferred to a younger son, as we see in the case of Isaac, and what transpired between Esau and Jacob.

Hebrews 12:16, “Unless there be any fornication, or profane (godless) person as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”

Genesis reveals to us how Isaac transferred the privileges of his birthright to his younger son, Jacob. Genesis 27:37, Isaac tells Esau, “Behold, I have made him (Jacob) thy lord (master), and all his brethren have I given to him for servants.” To grant dominion or rule on anyone is to grant him firstborn privileges.”

Psalms 89:27, “And I (the LORD) will make him (Jesus Christ) my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.”

Concerning the dignity conferred upon Jesus Christ as the head of his body, the church, suffering scourging, and death then raised from the dead, was crowned by His Father with glory and in all things he might have the pre-eminence.”

Revelation 1:5, “The first begotten from the dead,” and Hebrews 1:2, “The heir of all things.

"Firstborn" in Jesus' case also means that he is the "firstborn of creation," the very first thing created by God.

"These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God." (Revelation 3:14b, KJV)

[Jesus] "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." (Colossians 1:15, KJV)

After his creation, Jesus always did the things pleasing to his Father, so he was awarded the highest position in heaven, 2nd only to the Father.

"Then said Jesus unto them, 'When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.'" (John 8: 28,29, KJV)

Just look at the scriptures I cited and it is obvious that Jesus is the first-born of all creatures. He is the first, as you said, but not just the first in "begotten from the dead." Wouldn't there be some bias in rejecting this fact?

You keep thinking of the first-born in the way we think of a couple's first-born son or daughter. Like many Greek and Hebrew words, firstborn has several meanings. One applies to mortals, another to Jesus Christ. In the case of Jesus and the creation, he is the first-born meaning the head, the chief over, the reason and cause for the creation, not that he was the first to be created by the Father.

[placebofactor]

In Titus 2:11, “The grace of God is termed “Saving” because the grace revealed in the Gospel is the primary and true source of eternal life.

In 2 Timothy 1:9, our Christian calling is called “Holy,”

In 1 Peter 4:3, “Idolatry” is termed abominable.

Jesus is designated the “King incorruptible.”

In Romans 12:1, “Christians’ dedicating themselves to God is termed “A reasonable service,” this in contra-distinction to the Jewish worship, which chiefly consisted in the sacrifice of “Irrational creatures.”

In 1 Peter 5:4, the crown of future glory is termed a “Never-fading crown,” distinguished from that “Corruptible crown” which, in the Grecian games, a corruptible crown was awarded to the successful compotators.

In John 17:11, God is termed the “Holy Father.” In Luke 11:11-13, He is termed “Heavenly Father.”

In 1 John 5:20, Christ is styled the “True God,” in Titus 2:13, he is called the “Great God.”

In Hebrews 9:14, the Holy Spirit is designated the “Eternal Spirit.”

In 1 Thessalonians 3:8, Paul speaks to the Thessalonians, “Now we live if you stand fast in the Lord.”

In this passage, the word live is not to be understood in its whole range, as it implies that Paul’s physical life or existence depended on their standing fast in the Lord and is to be understood in a limited sense. It’s as if Paul had said, “Your steadfastness in the faith gives me new life and comfort. I now feel that I live to some purpose – I relish and enjoy life – since my labor in the Gospel is not in vain.”

Paul was filled with anxiety, fearing the Thessalonians would be persuaded to depart from the faith because of the afflictions they had to endure. He sent Timothy to raise and comfort them. Having heard of their steadfastness in the faith, he exclaimed, “Now we live if ye stand fast in the Lord.”

[onewithhim]

Firstborn:

Birthright, or primogenitor is the rule of law under which the family’s eldest son succeeds to the father’s estate in preference to the younger sons and sisters. Concerning birthright, according to Jewish tradition and custom, the firstborn son was consecrated (set aside) to the Lord.

Exodus 22:29, “The firstborn of thy sons shall you give unto me (God.)” To God belonged, Genesis 49:3, “The excellency of dignity and the excellency of power.”

The eldest son always had a double portion of the estate allotted to him. Deuteronomy 21:17 says, “Giving him a double portion of all that he has.”

In the royal families’ rule of government and kingdoms came the inheritance of, the firstborn.

2 Chronicles 21:3, “Jehoshaphat died, -- and “The kingdom gave he to Jehoram; because he was the first-born.”

But the rights and privileges of the firstborn could nevertheless be forfeited by improper conduct and transferred to a younger son, as we see in the case of Isaac, and what transpired between Esau and Jacob.

Hebrews 12:16, “Unless there be any fornication, or profane (godless) person as Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.”

Genesis reveals to us how Isaac transferred the privileges of his birthright to his younger son, Jacob. Genesis 27:37, Isaac tells Esau, “Behold, I have made him (Jacob) thy lord (master), and all his brethren have I given to him for servants.” To grant dominion or rule on anyone is to grant him firstborn privileges.”

Psalms 89:27, “And I (the LORD) will make him (Jesus Christ) my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.”

Concerning the dignity conferred upon Jesus Christ as the head of his body, the church, suffering scourging, and death then raised from the dead, was crowned by His Father with glory and in all things he might have the pre-eminence.”

Revelation 1:5, “The first begotten from the dead,” and Hebrews 1:2, “The heir of all things.

"Firstborn" in Jesus' case also means that he is the "firstborn of creation," the very first thing created by God.

"These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God." (Revelation 3:14b, KJV)

[Jesus] "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature." (Colossians 1:15, KJV)

After his creation, Jesus always did the things pleasing to his Father, so he was awarded the highest position in heaven, 2nd only to the Father.

"Then said Jesus unto them, 'When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.'" (John 8: 28,29, KJV)

Just look at the scriptures I cited and it is obvious that Jesus is the first-born of all creatures. He is the first, as you said, but not just the first in "begotten from the dead." Wouldn't there be some bias in rejecting this fact?

You keep thinking of the first-born in the way we think of a couple's first-born son or daughter. Like many Greek and Hebrew words, firstborn has several meanings.

And one of those meanings is to think of a first-born son or daughter. That is what "first-born" means in the scriptures I posted.

[placebofactor]

What does it mean to be "once enlightened?" A person once enlightened is said to be thoroughly instructed in the nature and design of the Gospel of Christ Jesus, having received the knowledge of the truth. Compare the following verses.

Hebrews 10:32, "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;"

The words illuminated, and enlightened, are the same Greek word (phitizo). To be enlightened refers to having been thoroughly instructed and having knowledge of the word of truth.

Hebrews 10:26, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,"

This would be a deliberate denial of the Gospel message after having been saved by grace and convinced of the truth. To this person, there remains no more sacrifice for their sin. This verse answers to both Hebrews 6:4, and 10:32.

"For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost."

And Hebrews 10:32, "But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of affliction."

[JehovahsWitness]

..Greek is, prototokos.

QUESTION: What did Paul mean when he refered to Jesus as the "firstborn of all creation" (Col 1:15)?

Some have suggested that since the scriptures have examples of the term "firstborn" (prototokos ) denoting preeminence. Firstly it should be pointed out that the term "firstborn" (prototokos) occurs 128 times in the Septuagint and 8 times in the NT and at no time is it used to denote someone "supreme" or "preeminent" of a group he himself does NOT belong to. In other words, even if Paul *is* saying Jesus is "preeminent" he is still saying he (Jesus) is preeminent in a group he (Jesus) belonged to - in short that Jesus is the GREATEST of all the CREATED beings.


WHY IS DAVID CALLED THE FIRSTBORN (prototokos)?

And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth -- Psalm 89:28,

This scripture is clearly not giving a new lexical meaning to prototokos but simply showing that God has the right to put David in the position a firstborn (compare 1 Chronicles 26:1-2 and 2 Chronicles 21:3). Scripturally the firstborn in a family was almost invariably given a position of preeminence but that position was not automatic. Take for example the case of Reuben, Jacob's literal first-born; he lost *pre-eminence* but he continued to be known as the "first-born" (prototokos in the Septuagint) of the family - see Gen. 49:3, 4; 1 Chronicles 5:1-3 RSV. So Psalms is not giving a new or alternative meaning to the world "firsborn" only showing the rights and privileges ATTACHED to that position can on occassion be given (or taken away).

To illustrate: Take the meaning of the word "whore" (or prostitute). The meaning of the word is essentially someone that exchanges sexual favors for money. If a politician, forced to accept illegal money inexchange for political power said that his benefactor is "making a whore out of him" does this mean that the word "whore" can mean prostitute OR politician? Can one legitimately have a definition for whore "one that runs for any kind of political office"? Obviously not, the meaning of the word remains unchanged but the actions have resulted in the subject being submitted to similar feelings of degredation.

That God declared David "firsborn" does not mean the word has two different meanings, only that God's actions have resulted in David having the same rights and privileges of someone who is the born first, even though he was in fact the youngest.


FURTHER READING
http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.fr/ ... l-115.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200312032221 ... otokos.htm

[placebofactor]

..Greek is, prototokos.

QUESTION: What did Paul mean when he refered to Jesus as the "firstborn of all creation" (Col 1:15)?

Some have suggested that since the scriptures have examples of the term "firstborn" (prototokos ) denoting preeminence. Firstly it should be pointed out that the term "firstborn" (prototokos) occurs 128 times in the Septuagint and 8 times in the NT and at no time is it used to denote someone "supreme" or "preeminent" of a group he himself does NOT belong to. In other words, even if Paul *is* saying Jesus is "preeminent" he is still saying he (Jesus) is preeminent in a group he (Jesus) belonged to - in short that Jesus is the GREATEST of all the CREATED beings.


WHY IS DAVID CALLED THE FIRSTBORN (prototokos)?

And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth -- Psalm 89:28,

This scripture is clearly not giving a new lexical meaning to prototokos but simply showing that God has the right to put David in the position a firstborn (compare 1 Chronicles 26:1-2 and 2 Chronicles 21:3). Scripturally the firstborn in a family was almost invariably given a position of preeminence but that position was not automatic. Take for example the case of Reuben, Jacob's literal first-born; he lost *pre-eminence* but he continued to be known as the "first-born" (prototokos in the Septuagint) of the family - see Gen. 49:3, 4; 1 Chronicles 5:1-3 RSV. So Psalms is not giving a new or alternative meaning to the world "firsborn" only showing the rights and privileges ATTACHED to that position can on occassion be given (or taken away).

To illustrate: Take the meaning of the word "whore" (or prostitute). The meaning of the word is essentially someone that exchanges sexual favors for money. If a politician, forced to accept illegal money inexchange for political power said that his benefactor is "making a whore out of him" does this mean that the word "whore" can mean prostitute OR politician? Can one legitimately have a definition for whore "one that runs for any kind of political office"? Obviously not, the meaning of the word remains unchanged but the actions have resulted in the subject being submitted to similar feelings of degredation.

That God declared David "firsborn" does not mean the word has two different meanings, only that God's actions have resulted in David having the same rights and privileges of someone who is the born first, even though he was in fact the youngest.


FURTHER READING
http://examiningthetrinity.blogspot.fr/ ... l-115.html
http://web.archive.org/web/200312032221 ... otokos.htm

What I wrote came from two Lexicons., two of the best on the market, one is 190 years old, and the other is new Thayers, I trust them both. I have to say this, I've been studying the Scriptures for many years, and I can thank the Lord at my age I can still ask questions because I feel I have yet to learn a great deal. I try to remain humble about my publications, not a know-it-all. But the Witnesses, not you alone give the impression you're all-knowing and have nothing further to learn. I know, what you write comes directly from the Watchtower organization, I have about 500 of your Watchtower and Awake publications. And have your Bible Aid and Diglots.

All the witnesses I have had conversations with, hundreds of them, continually repeat the same thing, parroting what the organization tells you to, from New York to Alabama to Los Angeles its the same word coming from their mouths. You need to start considering what others outside your organization teach, because if you don't how can you ever expand your knowledge? One source never gets it, because it can't, and don't give me that baloney, you get new light. Your organization has had too many new lights and new copywrites on your Bible to claim superior publication and knowledge.

I am not enjoying my discussions with you, because I know exactly how you're going to respond, it's the same old conversation.

You are probably a nice person, and most witnesses are, but your comments are getting old, no one can hold a conversation with you, because in your mind you are always right and everyone else is always wrong. I want to exchange ideas with people, not argue over the most basic things. You don't accept Jesus as God, the Holy Spirit is an 'IT,' the earth is billions of years old, man has no soul and spirit, and on and on it goes, same-0, same-o.