Meaning
Of these words, which are those most frequently used for "first," ri'shon is from rosh, "the head, and is used for the highest, chief, etc.; also of time, the beginning, e.g. Ge 8:13, in the first month"; in Isa 44:6, Isa 48:12, it is used of Yahweh as Eternal and solely Supreme-the First and the Last (compare Isa 41:4). Special usages are in connection with "firstborn," "first- fruit," etc.; proton is used of that which is first in order; but also of that which is first or chief in importance, etc. (Mat 6:33, Jas 3:17). In 1Ti 1:15, Paul says Jesus came "to save sinners; of whom I am chief," literally, "first"; the same word is used by Jesus of the "first" of the commandments (Mr 12:29); where we read in 1Co 15:3, "I delivered unto you first of all," it is en protois ("in the foremost place"); "The first and the last" is applied to Christ as Eternal and Supreme (Rev 1:17, Rev 2:8, Rev 22:13); protos is "the first day" (Mat 26:17, Mar 16:9); in Mat 28:1, Mar 16:2, Luk 24:1, Joh 20:1, Joh 20:19, Act 20:7, it is mia ("one").
W. L. Walker
