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Selected Verse: John 3:6 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Joh 3:6 |
Strong Concordance |
That which is born [1080] of [1537] the flesh [4561] is [2076] flesh [4561]; and [2532] that which is born [1080] of [1537] the Spirit [4151] is [2076] spirit [4151]. |
| |
King James |
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
That which is born, &c.--A great universal proposition; "That which is begotten carries within itself the nature of that which begat it" [OLSHAUSEN].
flesh--Not the mere material body, but all that comes into the world by birth, the entire man; yet not humanity simply, but in its corrupted, depraved condition, in complete subjection to the law of the fall (Rom 8:1-9). So that though a man "could enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born," he would be no nearer this "new birth" than before (Job 14:4; Psa 51:5).
is spirit--"partakes of and possesses His spiritual nature." |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
That which is born of the flesh - To show the necessity of this change, the Saviour directs the attention of Nicodemus to the natural condition of man. By "that which is born of the flesh" he evidently intends man as he is by nature, in the circumstances of his natural birth. Perhaps, also, he alludes to the question asked by Nicodemus, whether a man could be born when he was old? Jesus tells him that if this could be, it would not answer any valuable purpose; he would still have the same propensities and passions. Another change was therefore indispensable.
Is flesh - Partakes of the nature of the parent. Compare Gen 5:3. As the parents are corrupt and sinful, so will be their descendants. See Job 14:4. And as the parents are wholly corrupt by nature, so their children will be the same. The word "flesh" here is used as meaning "corrupt, defiled, sinful." The "flesh" in the Scriptures is often used to denote the sinful propensities and passions of our nature, as those propensities are supposed to have their seat in the animal nature. "The works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness," etc., Gal 5:19-20. See also Eph 2:3; Pe1 3:21; Pe1 2:18; Jo1 2:16; Rom 8:5.
Is born of the Spirit - Of the Spirit of God, or by the agency of the Holy Spirit.
Is spirit - Is spiritual, "like" the spirit, that is, holy, pure. Here we learn:
1. that all men are by nature sinful.
2. that none are renewed but by the Spirit of God. If man did the work himself, it would he still carnal and impure.
3. that the effect of the new birth is to make men holy.
4. and, that no man can have evidence that he is born again who is not holy, and just in proportion as he becomes pure in his life will be the evidence that he is born of the Spirit. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
That which is born (τὸ γεγεννηένον)
Strictly, that which hath been born, and consequently is now before us as born. The aorist tense (Joh 3:3, Joh 3:4, Joh 3:5, Joh 3:7), marks the fact of birth; the perfect (as here), the state of that which has been born (see on Jo1 5:18, where both tenses occur); the neuter, that which, states the principle in the abstract. Compare Joh 3:8, where the statement is personal: everyone that is born. Compare Jo1 5:4, and Jo1 5:1, Jo1 5:18.
Of the flesh (ἐκ τῆς σαρκὸς)
See on Joh 3:14. John uses the word σάρξ generally, to express humanity under the conditions of this life (Joh 1:14; Jo1 4:2, Jo1 4:3, Jo1 4:7; Jo2 1:7), with sometimes a more definite hint at the sinful and fallible nature of humanity (Jo1 2:16; Joh 8:15). Twice, as opposed to πνεῦμα, Spirit (Joh 3:6; Joh 6:63).
Of the Spirit (ἐκ τοῦ πνευματος)
The Holy Spirit of God, or the principle of life which He imparts. The difference is slight, for the two ideas imply each other; but the latter perhaps is better here, because a little more abstract, and so contrasted with the flesh. Spirit and flesh are the distinguishing principles, the one of the heavenly, the other of the earthly economy. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| That which is born of the flesh is flesh - Mere flesh, void of the Spirit, yea, at enmity with it; And that which is born of the Spirit is spirit - Is spiritual, heavenly, divine, like its Author. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| That which is born of the flesh is flesh - This is the answer to the objection made by Nicodemus in Joh 3:4. Can a man enter the second time into his mother's womb and be born? Our Lord here intimates that, were even this possible, it would not answer the end; for the plant will ever be of the nature of the seed that produces it - like will beget its like. The kingdom of God is spiritual and holy; and that which is born of the Spirit resembles the Spirit; for as he is who begat, so is he who is begotten of him. Therefore, the spiritual regeneration is essentially necessary, to prepare the soul for a holy and spiritual kingdom. |
5 Behold, I was shapen [02342] in iniquity [05771]; and in sin [02399] did my mother [0517] conceive [03179] me.
4 Who can bring [05414] a clean [02889] thing out of an unclean [02931]? not one [0259].
1 There is therefore [686] now [3568] no [3762] condemnation [2631] to them which are in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424], who walk [4043] not [3361] after [2596] the flesh [4561], but [235] after [2596] the Spirit [4151].
2 For [1063] the law [3551] of the Spirit [4151] of life [2222] in [1722] Christ [5547] Jesus [2424] hath made [1659] me [3165] free [1659] from [575] the law [3551] of sin [266] and [2532] death [2288].
3 For [1063] what the law [3551] could not do [102], in [1722] that [3739] it was weak [770] through [1223] the flesh [4561], God [2316] sending [3992] his own [1438] Son [5207] in [1722] the likeness [3667] of sinful [266] flesh [4561], and [2532] for [4012] sin [266], condemned [2632] sin [266] in [1722] the flesh [4561]:
4 That [2443] the righteousness [1345] of the law [3551] might be fulfilled [4137] in [1722] us [2254], who walk [4043] not [3361] after [2596] the flesh [4561], but [235] after [2596] the Spirit [4151].
5 For [1063] they that are [5607] after [2596] the flesh [4561] do mind [5426] the things [3588] of the flesh [4561]; but [1161] they that are after [2596] the Spirit [4151] the things [3588] of the Spirit [4151].
6 For [1063] to be [5427] carnally [4561] minded [5427] is death [2288]; but [1161] to be [5427] spiritually [4151] minded [5427] is life [2222] and [2532] peace [1515].
7 Because [1360] the carnal [4561] mind [5427] is enmity [2189] against [1519] God [2316]: for [1063] it is [5293] not [3756] subject [5293] to the law [3551] of God [2316], neither [3761] indeed [1063] can be [1410].
8 So then [1161] they that are [5607] in [1722] the flesh [4561] cannot [3756] [1410] please [700] God [2316].
9 But [1161] ye [5210] are [2075] not [3756] in [1722] the flesh [4561], but [235] in [1722] the Spirit [4151], if so be [1512] that the Spirit [4151] of God [2316] dwell [3611] in [1722] you [5213]. Now [1161] if any man [1536] have [2192] not [3756] the Spirit [4151] of Christ [5547], he [3778] is [2076] none [3756] of his [846].
5 For [1063] they that are [5607] after [2596] the flesh [4561] do mind [5426] the things [3588] of the flesh [4561]; but [1161] they that are after [2596] the Spirit [4151] the things [3588] of the Spirit [4151].
16 For [3754] all [3956] that is in [1722] the world [2889], the lust [1939] of the flesh [4561], and [2532] the lust [1939] of the eyes [3788], and [2532] the pride [212] of life [979], is [2076] not [3756] of [1537] the Father [3962], but [235] is [2076] of [1537] the world [2889].
18 Servants [3610], be subject [5293] to your masters [1203] with [1722] all [3956] fear [5401]; not [3756] only [3440] to the good [18] and [2532] gentle [1933], but [235] also [2532] to the froward [4646].
21 The like figure [499] whereunto [3739] even baptism [908] doth [4982] also [2532] now [3568] save [4982] us [2248] (not [3756] the putting away [595] of the filth [4509] of the flesh [4561], but [235] the answer [1906] of a good [18] conscience [4893] toward [1519] God [2316],) by [1223] the resurrection [386] of Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]:
3 Among [1722] whom [3739] also [2532] we [2249] all [3956] had our conversation [390] in times past [4218] in [1722] the lusts [1939] of our [2257] flesh [4561], fulfilling [4160] the desires [2307] of the flesh [4561] and [2532] of the mind [1271]; and [2532] were [2258] by nature [5449] the children [5043] of wrath [3709], even [2532] as [5613] others [3062].
19 Now [1161] the works [2041] of the flesh [4561] are [2076] manifest [5318], which [3748] are [2076] these; Adultery [3430], fornication [4202], uncleanness [167], lasciviousness [766],
20 Idolatry [1495], witchcraft [5331], hatred [2189], variance [2054], emulations [2205], wrath [2372], strife [2052], seditions [1370], heresies [139],
4 Who can bring [05414] a clean [02889] thing out of an unclean [02931]? not one [0259].
3 And Adam [0121] lived [02421] an hundred [03967] and thirty [07970] years [08141], and begat [03205] a son in his own likeness [01823], after his image [06754]; and called [07121] his name [08034] Seth [08352]:
63 It is [2076] the spirit [4151] that quickeneth [2227]; the flesh [4561] [3756] profiteth [5623] nothing [3762]: the words [4487] that [3739] I [1473] speak [2980] unto you [5213], they are [2076] spirit [4151], and [2532] they are [2076] life [2222].
6 That which is born [1080] of [1537] the flesh [4561] is [2076] flesh [4561]; and [2532] that which is born [1080] of [1537] the Spirit [4151] is [2076] spirit [4151].
15 Ye [5210] judge [2919] after [2596] the flesh [4561]; I [1473] judge [2919] no [3756] man [3762].
16 For [3754] all [3956] that is in [1722] the world [2889], the lust [1939] of the flesh [4561], and [2532] the lust [1939] of the eyes [3788], and [2532] the pride [212] of life [979], is [2076] not [3756] of [1537] the Father [3962], but [235] is [2076] of [1537] the world [2889].
7 For [3754] many [4183] deceivers [4108] are entered [1525] into [1519] the world [2889], who [3588] confess [3670] not [3361] that Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] is come [2064] in [1722] the flesh [4561]. This [3778] is [2076] a deceiver [4108] and [2532] an antichrist [500].
7 Beloved [27], let us love [25] one another [240]: for [3754] love [26] is [2076] of [1537] God [2316]; and [2532] every one [3956] that loveth [25] is born [1080] of [1537] God [2316], and [2532] knoweth [1097] God [2316].
3 And [2532] every [3956] spirit [4151] that [3739] confesseth [3670] not [3361] that Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] is come [2064] in [1722] the flesh [4561] is [2076] not [3756] of [1537] God [2316]: and [2532] this [5124] is [2076] that spirit of antichrist [500], whereof [3739] ye have heard [191] that [3754] it should come [2064]; and even [2532] now [3568] already [2235] is it [2076] in [1722] the world [2889].
2 Hereby [1722] [3739] [5129] know ye [1097] the Spirit [4151] of God [2316]: Every [3956] spirit [4151] that confesseth [3670] that Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] is come [2064] in [1722] the flesh [4561] is [2076] of [1537] God [2316]:
14 And [2532] the Word [3056] was made [1096] flesh [4561], and [2532] dwelt [4637] among [1722] us [2254], (and [2532] we beheld [2300] his [846] glory [1391], the glory [1391] as [5613] of the only begotten [3439] of [3844] the Father [3962],) full [4134] of grace [5485] and [2532] truth [225].
14 And [2532] as [2531] Moses [3475] lifted up [5312] the serpent [3789] in [1722] the wilderness [2048], even so [3779] must [1163] the Son [5207] of man [444] be lifted up [5312]:
18 We know [1492] that [3754] whosoever [3956] is born [1080] of [1537] God [2316] sinneth [264] not [3756]; but [235] he that is begotten [1080] of [1537] God [2316] keepeth [5083] himself [1438], and [2532] that wicked one [4190] toucheth [680] him [846] not [3756].
1 Whosoever [3956] believeth [4100] that [3754] Jesus [2424] is [2076] the Christ [5547] is born [1080] of [1537] God [2316]: and [2532] every one [3956] that loveth [25] him that begat [1080] loveth [25] him also [2532] that is begotten [1080] of [1537] him [846].
4 For [3754] whatsoever [3956] is born [1080] of [1537] God [2316] overcometh [3528] the world [2889]: and [2532] this [3778] is [2076] the victory [3529] that overcometh [3528] the world [2889], even our [2257] faith [4102].
8 The wind [4151] bloweth [4154] where [3699] it listeth [2309], and [2532] thou hearest [191] the sound [5456] thereof [846], but [235] canst [1492] not [3756] tell [1492] whence [4159] it cometh [2064], and [2532] whither [4226] it goeth [5217]: so [3779] is [2076] every one [3956] that is born [1080] of [1537] the Spirit [4151].
18 We know [1492] that [3754] whosoever [3956] is born [1080] of [1537] God [2316] sinneth [264] not [3756]; but [235] he that is begotten [1080] of [1537] God [2316] keepeth [5083] himself [1438], and [2532] that wicked one [4190] toucheth [680] him [846] not [3756].
7 Marvel [2296] not [3361] that [3754] I said [2036] unto thee [4671], Ye [5209] must [1163] be born [1080] again [509].
5 Jesus [2424] answered [611], Verily [281], verily [281], I say [3004] unto thee [4671], Except [3362] a man [5100] be born [1080] of [1537] water [5204] and [2532] of the Spirit [4151], he cannot [3756] [1410] enter [1525] into [1519] the kingdom [932] of God [2316].
4 Nicodemus [3530] saith [3004] unto [4314] him [846], How [4459] can [1410] a man [444] be born [1080] when he is [5607] old [1088]? can [3361] [1410] he enter [1525] the second time [1208] into [1519] his [846] mother's [3384] womb [2836], and [2532] be born [1080]?
3 Jesus [2424] answered [611] and [2532] said [2036] unto him [846], Verily [281], verily [281], I say [3004] unto thee [4671], Except [3362] a man [5100] be born [1080] again [509], he cannot [1410] [3756] see [1492] the kingdom [932] of God [2316].
4 Nicodemus [3530] saith [3004] unto [4314] him [846], How [4459] can [1410] a man [444] be born [1080] when he is [5607] old [1088]? can [3361] [1410] he enter [1525] the second time [1208] into [1519] his [846] mother's [3384] womb [2836], and [2532] be born [1080]?