Romans 8:23 – “firstfruits”  (Greek: aparch - aparche)

 

•        In Biblical times, when the first crops appeared at the beginning of the harvest, men would offer them to God in thanks.

–      Exodus 23:16 - "Celebrate the Feast of Harvest with the firstfruits of the crops you sow in your field. "Celebrate the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your crops from the field.

 

•        The first fruits were received with thanks, because they signified the beginning of much more to come.