Have you been born again? Or begotten again?
Today many people claim to be born again. Seemingly this claim is based mainly on Jesus words to Nicodemus as recorded in John 3:3 regarding the necessity of being “born again”.
Truly, truly, I tell you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
But how can one be sure that the word “gennaō” always means “to give birth”? The word occurs 65 times in the New Testament, so we have plenty of opportunity to see how it is used. If one maintains that it always means “to give birth”, then some passages would have interesting translations:
Abraham gave birth to Isaac, and Isaac gave birth to Jacob, and Jacob gave birth to Judah and his brothers. Matthew 1:2
But as he considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary your wife, for that which was born in her is of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20
So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have given birth to you” Hebrews 5:5
Our English word “generate” appears to be etymologically related to “gennaō”, though it is thought that “generate” is directly derived from the Latin “genare” (to produce). The older English word “beget” also has this meaning as any good dictionary will indicate. It is my belief that “produce” is the closest English equivalent to the Greek verb “gennaō”.
If you bear with me while I relate some technicalities, I will ultimately explain the importance of the importance of translating “gennaō” as “to generate” or “to produce” or “to beget” rather than “to give birth”.
Thus if the word is translated “produced” in Matthew 1:2, the problems discussed above disappear.
Abraham begat or produced Isaac. God begat Jesus (the only-begotten Son) or produced Jesus (some may not like that way of putting it ---- sounds too much like “created”). The third century church was adamant (and rightly so) in stating in their creeds that Jesus “was begotten not created.”
In Matthew 1:20 “That which was produced in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
There is a Greek word which means “to give birth” ---- “tiktō”. It is used 17 times in the New Testament. Here are 3 examples of verses which contain the word:
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23
[Joseph] knew her not until she had given birth to a son; and he called his name Jesus. (Matthew 1:25)
And she gave birth to her first-born son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
Does this mean then that “gennaō” is never used in connection with a birth? No. There are two clear references in which it is. Most translators translate the word as “gave birth to” and “is born”.
Now the time came for Elizabeth to be delivered, and she gave birth to a son. (Luke 1:57)
When a woman is in travail she has sorrow, because her hour has come; but when she is delivered of the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a child is born into the world. John 16:21
Does this mean, then, that “gennaō” not only means “to beget” or “to produce” but also “to give birth”?
I think not. It is interesting that both “tiktō and “gennaō” are used in Luke 1:57. Let’s see what the verse looks like when we translate the words properly as “give birth” and “produce” :
Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she produced a son. (Luke 1:57)
Let’s look at John 16:21 when they are translated according to the meanings of “tiktō and “gennaō”:
A woman has grief when she gives birth, because her time has come, but when she produces the child, she no longer remembers the distress, because of the joy that a human being was produced into the world.
And now, I suppose it is time to ask the big question. So what? What’s the difference whether we say a person if “born again” or “begotten” (produced, or generated) again?
I suggest that when we are begotten again, that is when the new life starts in the spiritual womb, there is a lot of growth which must take place until we are ready to be born. After the spiritual fœtus is fully mature, a new birth takes place. When would that be?
Colossians 1:18 He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent.
Jesus is the first-born from the dead. What does that mean? Does it not mean that he was the first to have a true resurrection? The resurrection which Paul describes in I Cor 15 when “this mortal must put on immortality”? No one who was resurrected from the dead prior to Christ , became immortal. Jesus brought Lazarus to life after he was dead four days, but Lazarus was not raised immortal. Some time later, he died a natural death just like everyone else. So Jesus, who was fully human, was born into the resurrection, the first.
Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also pre-appointed to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.
Again, Jesus was the first-born of many brethren. He was the first to be resurrected to immortal life, but there will be many other brothers and sisters who will be raised to life, those who are being conformed to the image of the Son. “Blessed and holy is he who shares in the first resurrection”, those who are overcomers.
So the sequence is:
[1] The New Production: Re-generation, that is, being begotten again or generated again.
[2]Growth toward Christ-likeness as the process of salvation from sin continues in us (He who began a good work in you will be completing it until the day of Jesus Christ).
[3] Born into the resurrection. Completed, perfected disciples, conformed to the image of Christ, raised to immortality at the coming of Christ.
So using the word “begotten” or “produced” for our regeneration, followed by our growth as a “fœtus” and “born” into the resurrection, seems to best symbolize the process of salvation.
You are very correct:) At first, I had my own thoughts come up as I was reading your reply but wanted to do some double checking and found out I was wrong and (in my head at least) misquoted a verse in the Bible. Its from Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” For some reason, in my head, I thought that verse was quoted as saying…For all are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God:) Looked also and found that no where in the Bible…that I can find ever states that we are all sinners in referring to everyone including Christians. I have a good idea where this mindset came from though:)
So thank you for that!