BORN AGAIN
1 Peter 1:23 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
1. Peter explains that Christians are born again. "For you have been born again." This is translated from one Greek word--avnagegennhme,noi, a "verb participle perfect passive nominative masculine 2nd person plural." The Perfect Passive shows the meaning of action in the past, the effect of continues. The word means: "literally regenerate, father anew, bring to birth again; figuratively, of God's act in bringing about a spiritual rebirth causing a definite change for the better; active cause to be born again, regenerate (1P 1.3); passive be born again." (Friberg)
2. born of seed.
a. The seed is the the Word of God
(i) This Word is living. That does not mean that it changes with popular opinions. It means it is more than spoken words or written words. It is truth with power and works in lives and history.
(2) This word endures. "(b) in a more permanent sense dwell, live, lodge (JN 1.38); (c) figuratively, as remaining unchanged in a sphere or realm continue, abide, remain (2T 2.13); (d) figuratively, as remaining in a fixed state or position keep on, remain, abide" (Friberg). This Word will not be overcome by competing ideologies. It will not be pulled down like a statue.
Not understand what being born again? Read Lukes's Acts of the Apostles.
