James 1:18
Verse
Context
Sermons







Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Of his own will begat he us - God's will here is opposed to the lust of man, Jam 1:15; his truth, the means of human salvation, to the sinful means referred to in the above verse; and the new creatures, to the sin conceived and brought forth, as above. As the will of God is essentially good, all its productions must be good also; as it is infinitely pure, all its productions must be holy. The word or doctrine of truth, what St. Paul calls the word of the truth of the Gospel, Col 1:5, is the means which God uses to convert souls. A kind of first fruits - By creatures we are here to understand the Gentiles, and by first fruits the Jews, to whom the Gospel was first sent; and those of them that believed were the first fruits of that astonishing harvest which God has since reaped over the whole Gentile world. See the notes on Rom 8:19, etc. There is a remarkable saying in Philo on this subject, De Allegoris, lib. ii. p. 101: God begat Isaac, for he is the father of the perfect nature, σπειρων εν ταις ψυχαις, sowing seed in souls, and begetting happiness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Joh 1:13). The believer's regeneration is the highest example of nothing but good proceeding from God. Of his own will--Of his own good pleasure (which shows that it is God's essential nature to do good, not evil), not induced by any external cause. begat he us--spiritually: a once-for-all accomplished act (Pe1 1:3, Pe1 1:23). In contrast to "lust when it hath conceived, bringeth forth sin, and sin . . . death" (Jam 1:15). Life follows naturally in connection with light (Jam 1:17). word of truth--the Gospel. The objective mean, as faith is the appropriating mean of regeneration by the Holy Spirit as the efficient agent. a kind of first-fruits--Christ is, in respect to the resurrection, "the first-fruits" (Co1 15:20, Co1 15:23): believers, in respect to regeneration, are, as it were, first-fruits (image from the consecration of the first-born of man, cattle, and fruits to God; familiar to the Jews addressed), that is, they are the first of God's regenerated creatures, and the pledge of the ultimate regeneration of the creation, Rom 8:19, Rom 8:23, where also the Spirit, the divine agent of the believer's regeneration, is termed "the first-fruits," that is, the earnest that the regeneration now begun in the soul, shall at last extend to the body too, and to the lower parts of creation. Of all God's visible creatures, believers are the noblest part, and like the legal "first-fruits," sanctify the rest; for this reason they are much tried now.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Of his own will begat he us,.... The apostle instances in one of those good and perfect gifts, regeneration; and he pitches upon a very proper and pertinent one, since this is the first gift of grace God bestows upon his people openly, and in their own persons; and is what involves other gifts, and prepares and makes meet for the gift of eternal life; and therefore may well be reckoned a "good" one, and it is also a "perfect one"; it is done at once; there are no degrees in it, as in sanctification; a man is born again, at once, and is born a perfect new man in all his parts; no one is more regenerated than another, or the same person more regenerated at one time than at another: and this comes from above; it is called a being born from above, in Joh 3:3 as the words there may be rendered; and it comes from God the Father, even the Father of our Lord Jesus, as well as of all lights, Pe1 1:3 and who in it produces light, in darkness, and whose gifts of grace bestowed along with it are without repentance. And since this comes from him, he cannot be the author of evil, or tempt unto it. This is a settled and certain point, that all the good that is in men, and is done by them, comes from God; and all the evil that is in them, and done by them, is of themselves. This act of begetting here ascribed to God, is what is elsewhere called a begetting again, that is, regeneration; it is an implantation of new principles of light and life, grace and holiness, in men; a quickening of them, when dead in trespasses and sins; a forming of Christ in their souls; and a making them partakers of the divine nature; and this is God's act, and not man's. Earthly parents cannot beget in this sense; nor ministers of the word, not causally, but only instrumentally, as they are instruments and means, which God makes use of; neither the ministry of the word, nor the ordinance of baptism, can of themselves regenerate any; nor can a man beget himself, as not in nature, so not in grace: the nature of the thing shows it, and the impotent case of men proves it: this is God's act, and his only; see Joh 1:13 and the impulsive or moving cause of it is his own will. God does not regenerate, or beget men by necessity of nature, but of his own free choice; Christ, the Son of God, is begotten of him by necessity of nature, and not as the effect of his will; he is the brightness of his glory necessarily, as the beams and rays of light are necessarily emitted by the sun; but so it is not in regeneration: nor does God regenerate men through any consideration of their will, works, and merits: nor have these any influence at all upon it; but he begets of his own free grace and favour, and of his rich and abundant mercy, and of his sovereign will and pleasure, according to his counsels and purposes of old. And the means he makes use of, or with which he does it, is with the word of truth; not Christ, who is the Word, and truth itself; though regeneration is sometimes ascribed to him; and this act of begetting is done by the Father, through the resurrection of Christ from the dead; but the Gospel, which is the word of truth, and truth itself, and contains nothing but truth; and by this souls are begotten and born again; see Eph 1:13 and hence ministers of it are accounted spiritual fathers. Faith, and every other grace in regeneration, and even the Spirit himself, the Regenerator, come this way: and the end is, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures; either of his new creatures, and so it has respect to such, as James, and others; who received the firstfruits of the Spirit, who first hoped and trusted in Christ, and were openly in him, and converted to him before others; or of his creatures, of mankind in general, who, with the Jews, are usually called creatures; See Gill on Mar 16:15, and designs those who are redeemed from among men, and are the firstfruits to God, and to the Lamb, as their regeneration makes appear: and this shows that such as are begotten again, or regenerated, are separated and distinguished from others, as the firstfruits be; and that they are preferred unto, and are more excellent than the rest of mankind, being made so by the grace of God; and that they are by regenerating grace devoted to the service of God, and are formed for his praise and glory.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:18 God’s true word is the Good News (1:21-23; 1 Pet 1:23-25). • give birth: The imagery of a mother giving birth shows the full scope of God’s parental love for his children (cp. Luke 13:34; John 1:13; 3:3-8; 1 Pet 1:23). • his prized possession: Literally a kind of firstfruit (cp. Exod 23:16; Lev 23:9-14; 1 Cor 15:20; Col 1:18). Christians are examples of the ultimate restoration of all creation (Rom 8:20-22).
James 1:18
Good and Perfect Gifts
17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Authority and God's Word - Part 2
By Derek Prince5.6K29:43PSA 107:20PSA 119:9PSA 119:130PRO 4:20EPH 5:25HEB 4:12JAS 1:18JAS 1:23This sermon delves into the profound nature of God's Word as described in Hebrews 4:12, emphasizing its living and powerful essence that penetrates the deepest parts of our being. It explores the distinction between the soul and spirit, highlighting the importance of discerning between the two through the Word of God. The sermon also touches on the transformative effects of God's Word, such as faith-building, new birth, spiritual nourishment, mental illumination, physical healing, victory over sin and Satan, and sanctification.
(John) the Visitation of Nicodemus Regeneration
By Willie Mullan2.0K1:06:10RegenerationMAT 4:6MAT 28:19MRK 1:9JHN 3:16ACT 2:381CO 4:15JAS 1:18In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of turning away from darkness and evil and stepping into the light of God's love. He explains that God's love was necessary to give humanity Jesus Christ, who went to the cross and paid the price for the sins of the world. It is crucial for individuals to trust in Jesus and believe in him for eternal life. The preacher also warns that those who do not believe in Jesus will not see life but will face the wrath of God. The sermon is based on the teachings of John the Baptist and the Gospel of John.
The Power and Danger of the Tongue
By Alistair Begg1.8K36:06TongueGEN 1:27MAT 6:33ROM 12:1JAS 1:18JAS 3:10In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the power and impact of the tongue. He begins by emphasizing the importance of Christians bearing the family resemblance of truthfulness, as they have been brought to faith through the word of truth. The speaker then compares the tongue to a small rudder that has a disproportionate impact on the direction of a ship. He further illustrates the power of the tongue by comparing it to an unguarded campfire that can quickly ignite a hillside. The speaker concludes by highlighting the irony that while animals can be tamed, the tongue remains untameable by human efforts.
John 3:1
By Worth Ellis1.4K42:45JHN 1:12JHN 3:1JHN 3:3TIT 3:5JAS 1:181PE 1:231PE 2:2In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a man who was concerned about his protege and wanted to see if he had changed. The man searched for his protege and found tracks that led him to a pig pen. The preacher emphasizes that the man found the pig in the pig pen because that which is pig is pig. The message of the sermon is that no matter how much you try to clean up or join someone to a church, if their nature is still sinful, they will remain unchanged.
The Priority of Regeneration Part 2
By John Murray1.2K47:13RegenerationJHN 3:3ROM 8:282CO 5:17EPH 1:20TIT 3:5JAS 1:181PE 1:23In this sermon, the speaker discusses the relationship between regeneration and responsibility in the context of the preaching of the word of God. The speaker emphasizes that our belief or knowledge of being regenerated should not be the basis for our actions, but rather the rule of God should guide our actions. The speaker also highlights that regeneration and responsibility are not mutually exclusive, and that we should not delay repentance and belief until we are regenerated. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding regeneration in both a restrictive and inclusive sense, as outlined in specific passages of the Bible.
Lesser Known Characters 07 John-Telescopic Vision
By Joseph Balsan38846:41JHN 3:14EPH 2:7JAS 1:18REV 21:12In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus for salvation, as emphasized by the Gospel of John. He also discusses the four faces seen in a vision, which represent different attributes of God's dealings with humanity and the character of Jesus. The speaker then goes on to discuss various biblical characters, such as Barnabas and Stephen, who exemplify qualities like warm-heartedness and usefulness. Finally, the speaker shares a personal anecdote about seeing diamonds reflecting the rays of the sun, which serves as a metaphor for the future glory of the heavenly city.
The Altar Call: Is It Harmful or Helpful?
By Fred G. Zaspel0MAT 11:27JHN 1:12JHN 6:44ACT 3:19ACT 20:21ROM 8:7ROM 9:161CO 1:182CO 5:20EPH 2:82TI 2:12JAS 1:18Fred G. Zaspel discusses the modern evangelical practice of the altar call, highlighting its origins in the 19th century and its absence in the early church. He emphasizes that the altar call is not a Biblical command but a tradition that can lead to confusion and false assurance. Zaspel argues against the altar call, pointing out its potential dangers, such as a misunderstanding of saving faith, a focus on physical actions over spiritual transformation, and a reliance on human ability rather than God's grace.
The New Birth
By Alfred N. Gilbert0MAT 28:19JHN 3:3ACT 2:38JAS 1:181PE 1:231PE 1:25Alfred N. Gilbert preaches about the necessity of a radical and vital change in man, known as the 'new birth,' to be considered a true Christian. This change, symbolized as a 'new birth,' encompasses the entire nature of man - intellectual, emotional, volitional, and physical - and inducts one into the kingdom of God. The sermon delves into the specific aspects of man's nature that are transformed through this 'new birth,' highlighting the importance of belief, love, repentance, and obedience to Jesus Christ. The completion of this 'new birth' is signified by the act of baptism, representing the surrender of the physical nature to the commands of Jesus Christ.
The Falling Rain and the Budding Earth
By J.C. Philpot0PSA 147:17ECC 12:10ISA 26:18ISA 28:4ISA 38:16ISA 55:10MAT 13:3JHN 6:57HEB 4:12JAS 1:18J.C. Philpot preaches on the powerful analogy between the rain and snow from heaven and the word of God, emphasizing that just as the rain and snow water the earth and make it bring forth fruit, God's word softens hearts, convicts, and brings forth spiritual growth and fruit in the lives of believers. Philpot expresses the impossibility of true success without God's blessing on the preached word, highlighting the divine sovereignty in the effectiveness of the word and the varied effects it produces in different hearts. He encourages ministers and hearers alike to trust in God's promise that His word will not return void, accomplishing His purposes and prospering in the work He has ordained.
Vital and Organic Union
By T. Austin-Sparks0Spiritual GrowthUnion with ChristJHN 3:3ACT 20:272CO 5:17EPH 1:15EPH 4:15HEB 4:2JAS 1:181PE 2:21JN 2:31JN 2:29T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the vital and organic union between believers and Christ, illustrating that true spiritual life begins with being begotten of God through His Word and the Spirit. He explains that this process involves begetting, birth, and growth, where the Word of God acts as the seed that contains the potential for spiritual life. Sparks stresses the importance of faith in responding to God's Word, leading to a manifestation of new life in Christ, which is essential for spiritual growth. He encourages believers to maintain a close relationship with Christ through the Word and prayer, as this is crucial for understanding and experiencing the fullness of spiritual life. Ultimately, the sermon highlights that all aspects of spiritual growth are rooted in a deep, abiding connection with Christ.
Conversion--What Is It and How Produced?
By Alvin I. Hobbs0JHN 3:52CO 5:17EPH 2:4EPH 2:8JAS 1:18Alvin I. Hobbs delves into the historical perspectives on conversion, tracing the evolution of beliefs from the early Church to the present day. He highlights the importance of understanding conversion as a Scriptural process where sinners turn from the love of sin to the love of God through faith in Christ. The sermon emphasizes that conversion involves a change of beliefs, moral habits, disposition, and a revulsion of feeling towards God, ultimately leading to a new life in Christ.
The New Birth as Set Forth in John 3:2-21
By R.A. Torrey0New BirthSpiritual TransformationNUM 21:5JHN 3:3ACT 10:41CO 2:142CO 5:17JAS 1:181PE 1:23R.A. Torrey emphasizes the critical doctrine of the New Birth as outlined in John 3:2-21, asserting its universal necessity for all individuals, regardless of their moral or religious standing. He explains that the New Birth is not merely a reform of behavior but a radical transformation of one's nature, requiring a divine act of God through the Holy Spirit. Torrey highlights that no amount of morality, religion, or good works can substitute for this spiritual rebirth, which is essential for entering the Kingdom of God. He concludes by detailing the method of the New Birth, which involves the Holy Spirit's power and faith in Jesus Christ as the means of regeneration.
Christ's Conversation With Nicodemus
By Moses E. Lard0MRK 16:16JHN 3:5JAS 1:181PE 1:231JN 5:1Moses E. Lard preaches on the necessity of the new birth as emphasized by Jesus, stating that without being born of water and of the Spirit, one cannot enter the kingdom of God. He delves into the conversation with Nicodemus to explain the components of the new birth, highlighting the importance of understanding the literal meaning of being born of water and the figurative meaning of being born of the Spirit. Lard challenges the common interpretation of 'wind' in John 3:8, arguing that it should be translated as 'Spirit' to convey the act of speaking by the Holy Spirit. He concludes that being born of water refers to immersion and being begotten by the Spirit signifies believing in Jesus Christ.
The Call to Battle
By Martyn-Lloyd Jones0EXO 23:19ROM 8:231CO 15:20JAS 1:18REV 14:4The preacher delves into the concept of 'First Fruits' as an Old Testament term used to describe offerings set apart for God, symbolizing thanksgiving for His provision. James and Paul use 'first fruits' to refer to new converts, born again by the Spirit, and as a pledge of the final delivery of God's promises. The sermon explores the significance of 'first fruits' in the Old Testament, where offerings were made to acknowledge God's ownership and provision, and in the New Testament, where believers are seen as God's first fruits, set apart for His purposes and called to bear fruit for Him.
An Everlasting Task for Arminians
By William Gadsby0ISA 43:11ACT 4:12ACT 13:48ROM 11:6EPH 2:1EPH 2:8PHP 1:62TI 1:9JAS 1:18William Gadsby challenges Mr. Smyth's views on salvation, questioning whether it depends on free will or God's grace. He delves into various aspects of salvation, such as mercy, redemption, regeneration, justification, sanctification, and adoption, to emphasize the importance of understanding the true grounds of salvation. Gadsby urges Smyth to provide a clear answer on what salvation absolutely depends, highlighting the eternal significance of knowing the foundation of one's faith and the danger of building expectations on a false premise.
The Work of the Holy Spirit
By J.C. Philpot0PSA 25:5PSA 119:160JHN 1:14JHN 16:13JHN 17:17ROM 5:1ROM 15:4EPH 6:172TH 2:102TH 2:13JAS 1:18J.C. Philpot emphasizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in quickening the soul to spiritual life, revealing that mere religious practices and orthodoxy do not guarantee true salvation. He warns against being content with a form of godliness without the vital possession of truth through divine teaching. Philpot illustrates through biblical examples how graceless professors of the truth can be deceived, stressing that the new man of grace is uniquely designed to receive and live by the truth imparted by the Spirit. He highlights the indispensable nature of truth in regeneration, justification, sanctification, and salvation, showing that all blessings and graces flow from and are sustained by the truth of God.
A Birth From Above
By A.W. Tozer0Spiritual RegenerationTrue ConversionJHN 1:12JHN 3:3ACT 3:19ROM 10:92CO 5:17GAL 2:20EPH 2:8TIT 3:5JAS 1:181PE 1:23A.W. Tozer emphasizes the critical nature of genuine conversion, arguing that many believe they have accepted Christ without any real change in their lives or desires. He warns against a superficial understanding of salvation that relies on emotional impulses rather than true spiritual regeneration. Tozer stresses the necessity of conviction, concern, and repentance in the process of being born from above by the Holy Spirit. He calls for honesty in spiritual matters, highlighting that being mistaken about one's relationship with God can lead to being lost. The sermon serves as a reminder of the profound transformation that should accompany true acceptance of Christ.
The Work of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
By John F. Walvoord0JHN 1:13JHN 3:3ROM 6:13ROM 8:302CO 5:17EPH 2:5EPH 4:24PHP 1:6TIT 3:5JAS 1:181JN 5:12John F. Walvoord preaches about the profound work of the Holy Spirit in salvation, focusing on two key aspects: The Work of the Holy Spirit in Efficacious Grace and The Work of the Holy Spirit in Regeneration. He emphasizes the importance of understanding these doctrines to eliminate confusion on the assurance of salvation and the necessity of God's power in winning souls for Christ. Walvoord highlights that the doctrine of efficacious grace is firmly rooted in Scripture, emphasizing the certainty and effectiveness of God's call to salvation. He also delves into the doctrine of regeneration, explaining that it is solely an act of God, resulting in the impartation of eternal life and a new nature in the believer.
The Method of Grace. (Jeremiah 6:14)
By George Whitefield0PSA 119:43PSA 119:73ISA 40:11MAT 18:3JHN 21:151CO 3:12CO 6:7HEB 5:12JAS 1:181PE 2:2Peter uses the term 'brephos' figuratively in the New Testament to refer to believers who have recently been born again into God's family, emphasizing their need for spiritual nourishment and dependence on God's Word. Believers are encouraged to maintain a childlike eagerness for spiritual growth, always longing for the pure milk of the Word. The imagery of believers as infants highlights the ardor and passion needed for spiritual nourishment and growth, echoing Jesus' teaching that the kingdom of God must be received with childlike faith. The goal is not just to know the Word but to grow and be transformed by it, requiring diligence, preparation, prayer, faith, and love.
Born From Above
By Art Katz0New BirthDivine NatureJHN 1:12JHN 3:3JHN 14:17ROM 8:92CO 5:17GAL 4:19EPH 2:8JAS 1:181PE 1:231JN 3:9Art Katz emphasizes the necessity of being 'born from above,' highlighting that Jesus Christ's birth was a divine advent, entering the world from outside rather than evolving from it. He stresses that Christ can only enter into the lowliest places of our hearts, and that true spiritual birth is not initiated by human decision but is a divine act of God. Katz draws on Oswald Chambers' insights, urging believers to reflect on whether they have truly allowed their lives to become a 'Bethlehem' for the Son of God, and to seek evidence of the divine nature within them. He warns against a mere decisional Christianity that lacks the transformative power of a genuine new birth. Ultimately, Katz calls for a deeper understanding of the new birth as a continuous process of yielding to God, allowing Christ to be formed in us.
Genuine Discipleship
By J.C. Philpot0JOB 17:9PRO 4:18JER 17:9MAT 10:25MAT 18:3JHN 5:30JHN 6:47JHN 8:312TH 1:11JAS 1:181PE 1:23J.C. Philpot preaches about the importance of genuine discipleship, emphasizing the need to continue in God's word as a test of discipleship, the genuineness of discipleship through devotedness, separation, and prostration of self, and the blessings of knowing the truth and experiencing spiritual freedom. He challenges the lack of support for the Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society, highlighting the society's adherence to sovereign grace, lack of flattery to man's godship, and the poverty of those who love the truth as reasons for its lack of support. Philpot urges for generous contributions to support the Aged Pilgrims and emphasizes the importance of showing love through practical acts of kindness.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Of his own will begat he us - God's will here is opposed to the lust of man, Jam 1:15; his truth, the means of human salvation, to the sinful means referred to in the above verse; and the new creatures, to the sin conceived and brought forth, as above. As the will of God is essentially good, all its productions must be good also; as it is infinitely pure, all its productions must be holy. The word or doctrine of truth, what St. Paul calls the word of the truth of the Gospel, Col 1:5, is the means which God uses to convert souls. A kind of first fruits - By creatures we are here to understand the Gentiles, and by first fruits the Jews, to whom the Gospel was first sent; and those of them that believed were the first fruits of that astonishing harvest which God has since reaped over the whole Gentile world. See the notes on Rom 8:19, etc. There is a remarkable saying in Philo on this subject, De Allegoris, lib. ii. p. 101: God begat Isaac, for he is the father of the perfect nature, σπειρων εν ταις ψυχαις, sowing seed in souls, and begetting happiness.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
(Joh 1:13). The believer's regeneration is the highest example of nothing but good proceeding from God. Of his own will--Of his own good pleasure (which shows that it is God's essential nature to do good, not evil), not induced by any external cause. begat he us--spiritually: a once-for-all accomplished act (Pe1 1:3, Pe1 1:23). In contrast to "lust when it hath conceived, bringeth forth sin, and sin . . . death" (Jam 1:15). Life follows naturally in connection with light (Jam 1:17). word of truth--the Gospel. The objective mean, as faith is the appropriating mean of regeneration by the Holy Spirit as the efficient agent. a kind of first-fruits--Christ is, in respect to the resurrection, "the first-fruits" (Co1 15:20, Co1 15:23): believers, in respect to regeneration, are, as it were, first-fruits (image from the consecration of the first-born of man, cattle, and fruits to God; familiar to the Jews addressed), that is, they are the first of God's regenerated creatures, and the pledge of the ultimate regeneration of the creation, Rom 8:19, Rom 8:23, where also the Spirit, the divine agent of the believer's regeneration, is termed "the first-fruits," that is, the earnest that the regeneration now begun in the soul, shall at last extend to the body too, and to the lower parts of creation. Of all God's visible creatures, believers are the noblest part, and like the legal "first-fruits," sanctify the rest; for this reason they are much tried now.
John Gill Bible Commentary
Of his own will begat he us,.... The apostle instances in one of those good and perfect gifts, regeneration; and he pitches upon a very proper and pertinent one, since this is the first gift of grace God bestows upon his people openly, and in their own persons; and is what involves other gifts, and prepares and makes meet for the gift of eternal life; and therefore may well be reckoned a "good" one, and it is also a "perfect one"; it is done at once; there are no degrees in it, as in sanctification; a man is born again, at once, and is born a perfect new man in all his parts; no one is more regenerated than another, or the same person more regenerated at one time than at another: and this comes from above; it is called a being born from above, in Joh 3:3 as the words there may be rendered; and it comes from God the Father, even the Father of our Lord Jesus, as well as of all lights, Pe1 1:3 and who in it produces light, in darkness, and whose gifts of grace bestowed along with it are without repentance. And since this comes from him, he cannot be the author of evil, or tempt unto it. This is a settled and certain point, that all the good that is in men, and is done by them, comes from God; and all the evil that is in them, and done by them, is of themselves. This act of begetting here ascribed to God, is what is elsewhere called a begetting again, that is, regeneration; it is an implantation of new principles of light and life, grace and holiness, in men; a quickening of them, when dead in trespasses and sins; a forming of Christ in their souls; and a making them partakers of the divine nature; and this is God's act, and not man's. Earthly parents cannot beget in this sense; nor ministers of the word, not causally, but only instrumentally, as they are instruments and means, which God makes use of; neither the ministry of the word, nor the ordinance of baptism, can of themselves regenerate any; nor can a man beget himself, as not in nature, so not in grace: the nature of the thing shows it, and the impotent case of men proves it: this is God's act, and his only; see Joh 1:13 and the impulsive or moving cause of it is his own will. God does not regenerate, or beget men by necessity of nature, but of his own free choice; Christ, the Son of God, is begotten of him by necessity of nature, and not as the effect of his will; he is the brightness of his glory necessarily, as the beams and rays of light are necessarily emitted by the sun; but so it is not in regeneration: nor does God regenerate men through any consideration of their will, works, and merits: nor have these any influence at all upon it; but he begets of his own free grace and favour, and of his rich and abundant mercy, and of his sovereign will and pleasure, according to his counsels and purposes of old. And the means he makes use of, or with which he does it, is with the word of truth; not Christ, who is the Word, and truth itself; though regeneration is sometimes ascribed to him; and this act of begetting is done by the Father, through the resurrection of Christ from the dead; but the Gospel, which is the word of truth, and truth itself, and contains nothing but truth; and by this souls are begotten and born again; see Eph 1:13 and hence ministers of it are accounted spiritual fathers. Faith, and every other grace in regeneration, and even the Spirit himself, the Regenerator, come this way: and the end is, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures; either of his new creatures, and so it has respect to such, as James, and others; who received the firstfruits of the Spirit, who first hoped and trusted in Christ, and were openly in him, and converted to him before others; or of his creatures, of mankind in general, who, with the Jews, are usually called creatures; See Gill on Mar 16:15, and designs those who are redeemed from among men, and are the firstfruits to God, and to the Lamb, as their regeneration makes appear: and this shows that such as are begotten again, or regenerated, are separated and distinguished from others, as the firstfruits be; and that they are preferred unto, and are more excellent than the rest of mankind, being made so by the grace of God; and that they are by regenerating grace devoted to the service of God, and are formed for his praise and glory.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
1:18 God’s true word is the Good News (1:21-23; 1 Pet 1:23-25). • give birth: The imagery of a mother giving birth shows the full scope of God’s parental love for his children (cp. Luke 13:34; John 1:13; 3:3-8; 1 Pet 1:23). • his prized possession: Literally a kind of firstfruit (cp. Exod 23:16; Lev 23:9-14; 1 Cor 15:20; Col 1:18). Christians are examples of the ultimate restoration of all creation (Rom 8:20-22).