The term "foremost" is used in the Bible to denote a position of prominence, preeminence, or priority. It often refers to individuals, qualities, or actions that are considered to be of the highest importance or rank. In the context of Scripture, being foremost can relate to both positive and negative connotations, depending on the subject matter.

Foremost in Sin and Redemption

One of the most notable uses of the term "foremost" in the New Testament is found in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In 1 Timothy 1:15 , Paul refers to himself as the "foremost" of sinners: "This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." Here, Paul acknowledges his past as a persecutor of Christians, emphasizing the depth of God's grace and mercy in redeeming even the greatest of sinners. This passage highlights the transformative power of Christ's salvation, underscoring that no one is beyond the reach of God's grace.

Foremost in Leadership and Service

In the Gospels, Jesus teaches about the nature of true leadership and greatness in the Kingdom of God. In Mark 9:35 , Jesus states, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all." This teaching subverts the worldly understanding of being foremost, which often involves power and dominance. Instead, Jesus elevates humility and service as the highest virtues, indicating that those who serve others selflessly are foremost in the eyes of God.

Foremost Commandments

The concept of being foremost is also applied to the commandments of God. In Matthew 22:37-39 , Jesus identifies the greatest commandments: "Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" These commandments are foremost because they encapsulate the essence of the Law and the Prophets, directing believers to prioritize their relationship with God and their love for others.

Foremost in Faith and Example

The Bible also presents individuals who are foremost in their faith and serve as examples for others. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Hall of Faith," lists numerous figures from the Old Testament who demonstrated exceptional faith in God. These individuals, such as Abraham, Moses, and David, are considered foremost in their trust and obedience to God, serving as models for believers to emulate.

Foremost in the Church

In the early Church, certain leaders were recognized as foremost due to their roles in spreading the Gospel and establishing Christian communities. The Apostles, particularly Peter, James, and John, were seen as pillars of the Church (Galatians 2:9). Their leadership and teachings were foundational in the development of early Christian doctrine and practice.

In summary, the concept of being foremost in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the acknowledgment of sinfulness to the exaltation of service, love, and faith. It challenges believers to reconsider what it means to be great in the eyes of God, emphasizing humility, redemption, and the prioritization of divine commandments.(a.) First in time or place; most advanced; chief in rank or dignity; as, the foremost troops of an army.4413. protos -- first, chief
... 4413 (an adjective, derived from 4253 , "before, forward") -- first (foremost).
4413 ("first, foremost") is the superlative form ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4413.htm - 8k

4248. prenes -- headlong
... headlong. From pro; leaning (falling) forward ("prone"), ie Head foremost -- headlong.
see GREEK pro. (prenes) -- 1 Occurrence. 4247, 4248. prenes. 4249 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4248.htm - 6k

746. arche -- beginning, origin
... 746 -- properly, from the ( sense), ie " (starting) point"; (figuratively) what
comes and therefore is (foremost), ie has the because ahead of the rest ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/746.htm - 7k

7223. rishon -- former, first, chief
... 4), beginning (2), chief (1), chiefs (1), earlier (4), earlier things (1), first
(113), first one (2), first time (1), forefathers (1), foremost (1), former (25 ...
/hebrew/7223.htm - 6k

7225. reshith -- beginning, chief
... Origin from rosh Definition beginning, chief NASB Word Usage beginning (19), choice
(2), choicest (3), finest (2), first (16), first fruits (7), foremost (2). ...
/hebrew/7225.htm - 6k

Whether Justice Stands Foremost among all Moral virtues?
... OF JUSTICE (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether justice stands foremost among all moral
virtues? Objection 1: It would seem that justice does ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether justice stands foremost among.htm

Whether Hatred is a Capital Sin?
... For hatred is directly opposed to charity. Now charity is the foremost
among the virtues, and the mother of all others. Therefore ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether hatred is a capital.htm

The Law of Precedence in the Kingdom
... to Peter. Probably the 'then' of the question means, Since Peter is thus selected,
are we to look to him as foremost? Their conception ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the law of precedence in.htm

The world's great sermons, Volume 8
... With Assistance from Many of the Foremost Living Preachers and Other Theologians
INTRODUCTION BY LEWIS O. BRASTOW, DD Professor Emeritus of Practical Theology ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/title page.htm

Luther's Separation from Rome
... Foremost among those who were called to lead the church from the darkness of
popery into the light of a purer faith, stood Martin Luther. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 7 luthers separation from.htm

Luther's Separation from Rome.
... Foremost among those who were called to lead the church from the darkness of
popery into the light of a purer faith, stood Martin Luther. ...
/.../7 luthers separation from rome.htm

Through the Red Sea
... By this time, the foremost ranks of the procession were some distance ahead, the
limit of radiance just in advance, and lighting with special tenderness the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlv through the red.htm

The Cry for Bread
... That first part of the prayer expresses the desires which should ever be foremost
in a good man's soul"those which have to do with God, and point to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the cry for bread.htm

The Burning of Hus.
... But us the Germans oppress. They seize the offices of state, and we are dumb. In
France the French are foremost. In Germany the Germans are foremost. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ii the burning of.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue Should have Included a ...
... Now foremost among the things dictated by natural reason are the ends of human life,
which are to the practical order what naturally known principles are to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 5.htm

Foremost (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) First in time or place; most advanced; chief in rank
or dignity; as, the foremost troops of an army. ...Foremost (14 Occurrences). ...
/f/foremost.htm - 10k

Head (4291 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The uppermost, foremost, or most important part of an inanimate object;
such a part as may be considered to resemble the head of an animal; often, also ...
/h/head.htm - 24k

Front (327 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The part or surface of anything which seems to look out, or to be directed
forward; the fore or forward part; the foremost rank; the van; -- the ...
/f/front.htm - 37k

Leading (101 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Lead. 2. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Lead. 3. (a.) Guiding; directing;
controlling; foremost; as, a leading motive; a leading man; a leading example. ...
/l/leading.htm - 36k

Foremen (9 Occurrences)

/f/foremen.htm - 9k

Year (4027 Occurrences)
... bonds of physical servitude. Undoubtedly, they must have been the foremost
in realizing its beneficial effects. But the law was ...
/y/year.htm - 26k

Zebulun (46 Occurrences)
... tribe of Zebulun in the wilderness was with the standard of the camp of Judah on
the east side of the tabernacle (Numbers 2:7). This camp moved foremost on the ...
/z/zebulun.htm - 29k

Noble (61 Occurrences)
... Other words are gadhol, "great" (Jonah 3:7); yaqqir, Aramaic "precious" (Ezra
4:10); naghidh, "a leader" (Job 29:10); partemim, "foremost ones" (Esther 1:3 ...
/n/noble.htm - 27k

Nobleman (5 Occurrences)
... Other words are gadhol, "great" (Jonah 3:7); yaqqir, Aramaic "precious" (Ezra
4:10); naghidh, "a leader" (Job 29:10); partemim, "foremost ones" (Esther 1:3 ...
/n/nobleman.htm - 12k

Nobles (71 Occurrences)
... Other words are gadhol, "great" (Jonah 3:7); yaqqir, Aramaic "precious" (Ezra
4:10); naghidh, "a leader" (Job 29:10); partemim, "foremost ones" (Esther 1:3 ...
/n/nobles.htm - 33k

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