What did Paul mean when he called Jesus the "firstborn from the dead"?

note: All Scripture quoted is from the King James translation. I have noticed that Paul referred to Jesus as the firstborn numerous times: >Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. > >Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. > >Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: > >Hebrews 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. > >Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, I am especially interested in the phrase "firstborn from the dead" from Colossians 1:18. Was Paul referring to being dead to sin or being dead physically and being resurrected to eternal life, Something even more elusive to me?