18
And he is the head of the body, which is the church. He is the beginning. He is the first to be raised from the dead. That happened so that he would be far above everything.
Reference
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: κεφαλή (kephalḗ)
the head (as the part most readily taken hold of), literally or figuratively
Hebrew: gulgôleth
a skull (as round); by implication, a head (in enumeration of persons)
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: χρώς (chrṓs)
the body (properly, its surface or skin)
Hebrew: bâsâr
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ἀρχή (archḗ)
(properly abstract) a commencement, or (concretely) chief (in various applications of order, time, place, or rank)
Hebrew: ʼâz
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Hebrew: qadmay
first
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Greek: ἐγγύς (engýs)
near
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: νεκρός (nekrós)
dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
Hebrew: râphâʼ
properly, lax, i.e. (figuratively) a ghost (as dead; in plural only)
Hebrew: zôw
this or that
Hebrew: kᵉnêmâʼ
so or thus
Hebrew: zôw
this or that
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Hebrew: châlîylâh
literal fora profaned thing; used (interj.) far be it!
Greek: ἄνω (ánō)
upward or on the top
Hebrew: min
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
Verse Explanation
Paul identifies Christ as the head of the body, the church, and the beginning and firstborn from the dead, presenting Jesus as supreme over the church and as the first to enter resurrection life in a way that guarantees the future resurrection of His people.
History
c. AD 30–33: Jesus' resurrection became the foundation of Christian hope and the central proclamation of the early church.