And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
The faithful Witness - of the truth concerning Himself and His mission as Prophet, Priest, and King Saviour. 'All things that He heard of the Father, he faithfully made known to His disciples. Also, He taught the way of God in truth, and cared not for man, nor regarded the persons of men. Also, the truth which He taught in words He confirmed by miracles. Also, the Father's testimony to Himself He denied not even in death. Lastly, He will give true testimony of the works of good and bad at the judgment day.' (Richard of Victor). The Greek nominative, "the faithful Witness," stands majestically prominent, in apposition to the genitive, "Jesus Christ."
The first-begotten of the dead - (Colossians 1:18.) Lazarus rose, to die again; Christ, to die no more. The image is not that the grave was the womb of His resurrection-birth (Alford), but as Acts 13:33; Romans 1:4, Christ's resurrection is the event which fulfilled Psalms 2:7, "This day (at the resurrection) have I begotten thee." Then His divine Sonship as the God-man was openly attested by the Father. So our resurrection, and our manifested sonship, are connected. Hence, "regeneration" is used of our resurrection-state at the restitution of all things (Matthew 19:28; Luke 20:36; 1 John 3:2; Romans 8:11; Romans 8:19; Romans 8:23).
The Prince, х Archon (G756)] - ruler. The kingship of the world which the Tempter offered to Jesus on condition of doing homage, and so shunning the Cross, He has obtained by the Cross. "The kings of the earth" conspired against the Lord's Anointed; these He shall break in pieces (Psalms 2:2; Psalms 2:9). Those wise in time, who kiss the Son, shall bring their glory unto Him at His manifestation as King of kings, after having destroyed His foes.
Unto him that loved us. 'Aleph (') A C read х agapoonti (G25)], 'loveth us.' His ever-continuing character is, He loveth, and ever shall love, us. His love rests evermore on His people.
Washed us. 'Aleph (') A C read х lusanti (G3089)], 'loosed (as from a bond) us:' so Andreas and Primasius. B, the Vulgate, and Coptic, read "washed," perhaps from Revelation 7:14. 'Loosed us in (virtue of) His blood,' being the harder reading, is less likely to come from the transcribers. The reference is to х lutron (G3083)] the 'ransom' paid for our release (Matthew 20:28). "Washed" refers to the priests, before putting on the holy garments and ministering, washing themselves: so believers, as 'priests unto God,' must be washed in Christ's blood from every stain before they can serve God now, or minister as dispensers of blessing to the subject nations in the millennial kingdom, or minister before God in heaven.