Thou Israel wast hallowed unto the LORD, and so was his firstfruits. All they that devoured Israel, offended: misfortune fell upon them, sayeth the LORD."

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and is become the first fruits of them that slept.

and every man in his own order: The first is Christ, then they that are Christ's at his coming.

Of his own will begat he us with the word of life, that we should be the first fruits of his creatures.

These are they, which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from men being the first fruits unto God and to the lamb,

Brethren, ye know the house of Stephanas, how that they are the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have appointed themselves to minister unto the saints:

Not they only, but even we also: which have the first fruits of the spirit mourn in ourselves and wait for the adoption and look for the deliverance of our bodies.

For if one piece be holy, the whole heap is holy. And if the root be holy, the branches are holy also.