Lexical Summary anagennaó: To beget again, to regenerate, to be born again Original Word: ἀναγεννάω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beget, cause to be born again.From ana and gennao; to beget or (by extension) bear (again) -- beget, (bear) X (again). see GREEK ana see GREEK gennao HELPS Word-studies 313 anagennáō (from 303 /aná, "up, again," which intensifies 1080 /gennáō, "give birth") – properly, born-again or "born from on high." 313 /anagennáō ("born again, from above") is used twice in the NT (1 Pet 1:3,23) – both times referring to God regenerating a believer (giving a supernatural, new birth). [313 (anagennáō) "does not occur in classical or Septuagintal Greek. Any use elsewhere (i.e. outside the NT) is disputed (cf. Moulton-Milligan; Selwyn, First Epistle of St. Peter, 122)" (CBL). This underlines the importance of its two occasions in the NT (1 Pet 1:3,23).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom ana and gennaó Definition to beget again NASB Translation born again (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 313: ἀναγεννάωἀναγεννάω, (ῶ: 1 aorist ἀνεγέννησα; perfect passive ἀναγεγέννημαι; to produce again, beget again, beget anew; metaphorically: τινα, thoroughly to change the mind of one, so that he lives a new life and one conformed to the will of God, 1 Peter 1:3; passively ἐκ τίνος, ibid. 1:23. (In the same sense in ecclesiastical writings (cf. Sophocles Lexicon, under the word). Among secular authors used by Josephus, Antiquities 4, 2, 1 τῶν ἐκ τοῦ στασιάζειν αὐτοῖς ἀναγεννωμένων (yet Bekker ἄν γενομένων) δεινῶν which originated.) Topical Lexicon New Birth and RegenerationThe verb translated “give new birth” or “cause to be born again” appears only in 1 Peter 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:23. In both settings Peter presents regeneration as a decisive, God–initiated act that brings sinners out of death and into life. The apostle’s emphasis on divine agency safeguards the truth that salvation is by grace from start to finish. Occurrences in 1 Peter • 1 Peter 1:3 – “By His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”. The first verse anchors regeneration in the resurrection of Christ, revealing the historical basis of the believer’s spiritual life. The second verse identifies the instrument God uses—the living Word that, like incorruptible seed, produces life that cannot perish. Connection to Old Testament Expectation Peter’s language recalls prophetic promises of inward renewal. Ezekiel 36:26–27 spoke of a new heart and Spirit; Jeremiah 31:33 foretold God writing His law within. By choosing birth imagery, Peter shows these prophecies fulfilled in the gospel era: God now creates a new people whose very nature has been transformed. Relation to Other New Testament Passages John 3:3–8 presents the “birth from above” as essential for entering the kingdom. James 1:18 describes believers as “brought forth by the word of truth,” harmonizing with 1 Peter 1:23. Titus 3:5 ties the washing of regeneration to the renewing work of the Spirit. The same divine pattern is evident: sovereign initiative, Christ’s finished work, the Spirit’s operation, and the Word’s proclamation. Doctrinal Significance 1. Divine Origin: Regeneration is not self-improvement but God’s creative act (Ephesians 2:4–5). Historical Reception Early church fathers linked the new birth to baptism, yet consistently affirmed the necessity of inward renewal by the Spirit. The Reformers clarified that the external sign does not produce regeneration; rather, faith is the fruit of the Spirit’s prior work. Evangelical theology continues this line, stressing a personal, conscious conversion that evidences the hidden miracle of new life. Ministry Implications • Preaching: Proclaim Christ’s resurrection and the enduring Word, trusting God to grant new life. Personal Application The believer, once spiritually lifeless, now possesses a living hope. This hope fuels joy amid trials (1 Peter 1:6–7) and love for fellow Christians (1 Peter 1:22). Because the source of life is imperishable, confidence rests not in personal performance but in God’s enduring faithfulness. Summary Strong’s Greek 313 portrays regeneration as God’s gracious act, accomplished through Christ’s resurrection, applied by the Spirit, and mediated by the Word. The result is a people marked by hope, holiness, and perseverance—evidence that, in Christ, the promised new covenant has become a present reality. Forms and Transliterations αναγεγεννημενοι αναγεγεννημένοι ἀναγεγεννημένοι αναγεννησας αναγεννήσας ἀναγεννήσας anagegennemenoi anagegenneménoi anagegennēmenoi anagegennēménoi anagennesas anagennēsas anagennḗsasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Peter 1:3 V-APA-NMSGRK: αὐτοῦ ἔλεος ἀναγεννήσας ἡμᾶς εἰς NAS: mercy has caused us to be born again to a living KJV: hath begotten us again unto a lively INT: of him mercy having fathered again us to 1 Peter 1:23 V-PPM/P-NMP Strong's Greek 313 |
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