Re: firstborn in Col. 1:15

porson (porson@ix.netcom.com)
Mon, 14 Oct 96 22:46:06 -0000

Jerome translates PRWTOTOKOS as primogenitus, a post Augustan term for
first born. However, the earlier term was primigenius, which also carried
the sense of "original."

This would seem to fit in with what you were suggesting about an emphasis
in Col. 1:15 on superiority or primacy.

LSJ, after citing the primogeniture uses of PRWTOTOKOS, lists the text of
Col. 1:15 as a metaphorical instance of the term.