Newton's first law states that a body's velocity remains constant in the absence of external forces, which can be seen as a specific case of the second law, where a null force results in no acceleration. The first law emphasizes the concept of inertial frames, which are fundamental to classical mechanics. While the first law can be derived from the second law mathematically, it serves a broader purpose in defining the conditions under which classical mechanics operates. The discussion highlights the importance of the first law in establishing the framework for understanding motion. Overall, the first law is essential for clarifying the concept of inertia within physics.