5655 birth

The beginning or origin of life, in which a living creature comes into the world. Scripture draws a distinction between physical and spiritual birth, insisting that a person must be not only physically but also spiritually born in order to have life to the full.

Physical birth

God creates all life Job 10:8-12; Ps 71:6; Ps 139:13

Human beings are sinful from the moment of birth Ps 51:5 See also Job 15:14; Job 25:4; Ps 58:3; Jn 3:6; Jn 9:34; Ro 5:12,17-19

The necessity of spiritual birth

Being born again Jn 3:3

Being born of the Spirit Jn 3:5-8 See also Ps 87:4-6; Mt 18:3; Jn 1:12-13; 1Pe 1:3; 1Pe 2:2

The agents of the new birth: word and Spirit

1Pe 1:23 See also Lk 10:21; Jn 3:5,7-8; Tit 3:5; Jas 1:18

The fruit of the new birth: holiness and love

1Jn 3:9; 1Jn 4:7 See also Mt 18:4; 1Jn 2:29; 1Jn 5:3-4,18

Spiritual birth and the nation of Israel

Dt 32:18 See also Nu 11:12 Moses implies that God himself gave birth to the people.

Birth seen as entry into a condition or status

Ethnic identity from birth Ex 12:48; Eze 16:3; Ac 17:26; Ac 22:27-28; Gal 2:15; Gal 4:4; Eph 2:11; Php 3:4-5

Physical or mental disability from birth Jn 9:1; Ac 3:2; Ac 14:8

See also