Bible Dictionary
FIRST
First may indicate priority in time, order, rank, or importance. Scripture applies it to beginnings, firstborn rights, supreme commandments, and God and Christ as the First and the Last.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses first for beginnings, firstborn rights, first importance, and the foremost commandment. Yahweh is called the First and the Last as Eternal and solely Supreme, and Christ is called the First and the Last as Eternal and Supreme. “First” may also mean chief, as when Paul calls himself chief of sinners.