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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 3:6 Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/3-6.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/43_Jhn_03_06.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 3:6 - Jesus and Nicodemus" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/nkjv/john/3.htm">New King James Version</a> That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/nasb_/john/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/nasb/john/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/nasb77/john/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/lsb/john/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/amp/john/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/csb/john/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/hcsb/john/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Whatever is born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/asv/john/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/cev/john/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Humans give life to their children. Yet only God's Spirit can change you into a child of God. <a href="/erv/john/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/gwt/john/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Flesh and blood give birth to flesh and blood, but the Spirit gives birth to things that are spiritual. <a href="/gnt/john/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> A person is born physically of human parents, but is born spiritually of the Spirit. <a href="/isv/john/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/msb/john/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit. <a href="/net/john/3.htm">NET Bible</a> What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/nheb/john/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/wbt/john/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Whatever has been born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever has been born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/web/john/3.htm">World English Bible</a> That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> that which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/blb/john/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> That having been born of the flesh is flesh, and that having been born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/ylt/john/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> that which hath been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which hath been born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/slt/john/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> That born of flesh is flesh; and that born of the Spirit is spirit.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> That which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. <a href="/cpdv/john/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/nabre/john/3.htm">New American Bible</a> What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. <a href="/nrsvce/john/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> What is born of flesh is flesh; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> That which is born from flesh is flesh, and that which is born from The Spirit is spirit.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> That which is begotten of the flesh, is flesh; and that which is begotten of the Spirit, is spirit. <a href="/godbey/john/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>That which has been born of the flesh is flesh; and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/mace/john/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> the cleansing of the body is only external, but the purification of the spirit is spiritual. <a href="/wey/john/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Whatever has been born of the flesh is flesh, and whatever has been born of the Spirit is spirit. <a href="/worrell/john/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>That which has been born of the flesh is flesh: and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>That, which is born of the flesh, is flesh; and that, which is born of the Spirit, is spirit.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/3-6.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=649" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/3.htm">Jesus and Nicodemus</a> …5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6<a href="/greek/4561.htm" title="4561: sarx (N-NFS) -- Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. ">Flesh</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1080.htm" title="1080: gegennēmenon (V-RPM/P-NNS) -- From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.">born</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4561.htm" title="4561: sarkos (N-GFS) -- Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. ">flesh,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">but</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: pneuma (N-NNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">spirit</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-NNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1080.htm" title="1080: gegennēmenon (V-RPM/P-NNS) -- From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate.">born</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">of</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneumatos (N-GNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">Spirit.</a> 7Do not be amazed that I said, ‘You must be born again.’…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/8-5.htm">Romans 8:5-9</a> Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. / The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, / because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ... <a href="/galatians/5-16.htm">Galatians 5:16-17</a> So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-50.htm">1 Corinthians 15:50</a> Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a> Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a> I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. / And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances. <a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5</a> He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. <a href="/1_john/3-9.htm">1 John 3:9</a> Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. <a href="/john/1-12.htm">John 1:12-13</a> But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— / children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God. <a href="/romans/7-5.htm">Romans 7:5-6</a> For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death. / But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. <a href="/galatians/6-8.htm">Galatians 6:8</a> The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. <a href="/ephesians/2-3.htm">Ephesians 2:3</a> All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath. <a href="/1_peter/1-23.htm">1 Peter 1:23</a> For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. <a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3</a> So the LORD said, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days shall be 120 years.” <a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a> “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. <a href="/romans/8-13.htm">Romans 8:13</a> For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.born of the flesh.<a href="/genesis/5-3.htm">Genesis 5:3</a> And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:<a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5,12</a> And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually… <a href="/job/14-4.htm">Job 14:4</a> Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.that.<a href="/ezekiel/11-19.htm">Ezekiel 11:19,20</a> And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: … <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26,27</a> A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh… <a href="/romans/8-5.htm">Romans 8:5,9</a> For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/3-5.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Born</a> <a href="/john/1-14.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/john/1-33.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/john/3-5.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/john/2-5.htm">Whatever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/3-7.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/john/3-7.htm">Born</a> <a href="/john/6-51.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/john/3-32.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/john/3-8.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/john/5-4.htm">Whatever</a><div class="vheading2">John 3</div>1. <a href="/john/3-1.htm">Jesus teaches Nicodemus the necessity of being born again,</a> 14. <a href="/john/3-14.htm">of faith in his death,</a> 16. <a href="/john/3-16.htm">the great love of God toward the world,</a> 18. <a href="/john/3-18.htm">and the condemnation for unbelief.</a> 22. <a href="/john/3-22.htm">Jesus baptizes in Judea.</a> 23. <a href="/john/3-23.htm">The baptism, witness, and doctrine of John concerning Jesus.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/john/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/john/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Flesh is born of flesh This phrase emphasizes the natural process of human birth, highlighting the physical and earthly nature of human existence. In biblical context, "flesh" often refers to human nature in its fallen state, prone to sin and mortality (<a href="/romans/8-5.htm">Romans 8:5-8</a>). The concept of flesh being born of flesh underscores the idea that human beings, by their natural birth, inherit a sinful nature from Adam (<a href="/romans/5-12.htm">Romans 5:12</a>). This aligns with the doctrine of original sin, which suggests that all humans are born into a state of sinfulness. The phrase also reflects the limitations of human efforts and the inability of the flesh to achieve spiritual rebirth or salvation on its own (<a href="/john/6-63.htm">John 6:63</a>).but spirit is born of the Spirit This part of the verse introduces the necessity of spiritual rebirth, which is a central theme in Christian theology. The "spirit" here refers to the human spirit that is renewed and regenerated through the work of the Holy Spirit. This spiritual birth is essential for entering the Kingdom of God, as Jesus explains to Nicodemus in the broader context of <a href="/john/3.htm">John 3</a> (<a href="/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3-5</a>). The Holy Spirit's role in regeneration is a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26-27</a>, where God promises to give a new heart and spirit to His people. This transformation is not achieved by human effort but is a divine act of grace (<a href="/titus/3-5.htm">Titus 3:5</a>). The phrase also connects to the concept of being "born again," a term used to describe the profound change that occurs when one becomes a follower of Christ (<a href="/1_peter/1-23.htm">1 Peter 1:23</a>). This spiritual rebirth is a type of resurrection, mirroring Jesus Christ's own resurrection and offering believers a new life in Him (<a href="/2_corinthians/5-17.htm">2 Corinthians 5:17</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The central figure in this passage, Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, explaining the necessity of spiritual rebirth. 2. <a href="/topical/n/nicodemus.htm">Nicodemus</a> A Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council who comes to Jesus at night seeking understanding of His teachings. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a> The city where this conversation takes place, a significant location for Jewish religious life and Jesus' ministry. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_holy_spirit.htm">The Holy Spirit</a> The divine agent of spiritual rebirth, emphasized in Jesus' explanation of being "born of the Spirit."<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_dual_nature.htm">Understanding the Dual Nature</a> Recognize that human beings have both a physical and a spiritual nature. The physical birth is natural, but spiritual birth is a divine act. <a href="/topical/n/necessity_of_spiritual_rebirth.htm">Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth</a> Emphasize the importance of being "born of the Spirit" to enter the Kingdom of God. This rebirth is not optional but essential for salvation. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">Role of the Holy Spirit</a> Acknowledge the Holy Spirit's role in transforming lives. The Spirit empowers believers to live according to God's will, producing spiritual fruit. <a href="/topical/l/living_by_the_spirit.htm">Living by the Spirit</a> Encourage believers to walk in the Spirit, which involves daily surrender and reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength. <a href="/topical/i/identity_in_christ.htm">Identity in Christ</a> Understand that being born of the Spirit gives believers a new identity as children of God, which should influence their actions and decisions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_john_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from John 3</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_spiritual_life.htm">What defines a spiritual life?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_'born_of_the_flesh'_mean.htm">What does "born of the flesh" mean?</a> <a href="/q/who_is_the_author_of_2_samuel.htm">What does 'born of the flesh' mean?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_egypt.htm">What does 'Born of the Spirit' mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh.--The first step is to remind him of the law of likeness in natural generation. "Flesh," as distinct from "spirit," is human nature in so far as it is common with animal nature, consisting of the bodily frame and its animal life, feelings, and passions. "Flesh," as opposed to "spirit," is this nature as not under the guidance of the human spirit, which is itself the shrine of the Divine Spirit, and therefore it is sinful. (Comp. <a href="/galatians/5-16.htm" title="This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.">Galatians 5:16</a> et seq.; <a href="/galatians/6-8.htm" title="For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.">Galatians 6:8</a>.) It is this nature in its material constitution, and subject to sin, which is transmitted from father to son. The physical life itself is dependent upon birth. That which is born of the flesh is flesh.There is an analogous law of spiritual generation. Spirit as opposed to flesh is the differentia of man as distinct from all other creatures. It is the image of God in him, the seat of the capacity for the communion with God, which is the true principle of life. In the natural man this is crushed and dormant; in the spiritual man it has been quickened by the influence of the Holy Ghost. This is a new life in him, and the spiritual life, like the physical, is dependent upon birth. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.(6) The sense suggested for the last clause, "In this manner is every one born who is of the Spirit," removes the necessity of finding something with which the work of the Spirit may be compared, and it is in this necessity that the received versions of the first clause really find their root.These reasons are, it is thought, not an insufficient basis for the interpretation here adopted. It is adopted not without the knowledge that a consensus of authorities may be pleaded against it. For its details it may be that no authority can be pleaded, but the rendering of ?????? here by "spirit" is not without the support of width of learning and depth of power, critical acumen and spiritual insight, for it rests on the names of Origen and Augustine, of Albrecht Bengel and Frederick Maurice.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 6. - That which hath been born of the flesh, is flesh. Σάρξ is not the physical as opposed to the spiritual or immaterial. nor is σάρξ necessarily sinful, as we see from <a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>, but as it often appears in John's writing and Paul's, σάρξ is the constituent element of humanity as apart from grace - humanity (body, intellect, heart, conscience, soul, spirit) viewed on its own side and merits and capacity, without the Divine life, or the Divine supernatural inbreathing. The being born of the flesh is the being born into this world, with all the privations and depravations, evil tendencies and passions of a fallen humanity. Birth into the theocracy, birth into national or ecclesiastical privilege, birth that has no higher quality than flesh, no better germ or graft upon it. simply produces flesh, humanity over again. When the Logos "became flesh," something more than and different from ordinary traduction of humanity took place. Destitute of any higher birth than the birth of flesh, man is fleshly, psychical, earthly, σαρκικός ψυχικός χοι'κός (<a href="/romans/7-14.htm">Romans 7:14-25</a>), and, more than that, positively opposed to the will and grace of God, lashed with passions, defiled with debasing ideas, in enmity against God. Hence the birth "from the Spirit" is entirely antithetic to the birth from the flesh. That which hath been born of the Spirit, is spirit. There is a birth which supervenes on the flesh-be-gotten man, and it is supernaturally wrought by the Spirit of God. As in the first instance, at man's creation, God breathed into man the breath of life, and by that operation man became a living soul; so now the new birth of man is wrought in him by the Spirit, and there is a new life, a new mode of being, a new bias and predomimating impulse. "A spiritual mind which is life and peace" has taken the place of the old carnal mind. He is "spiritual," no longer "psychical," or "carnal," but able to discern the things that are freely given to him. The eye of the spirit is opened, unsealed, the τὰ τοῦ πνεύματος are revealed to him (<a href="/1_corinthians/2-12.htm">1 Corinthians 2:12-16</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">1 Corinthians 3:1-5</a>). The reference to "birth of water" is not repeated, because the birth from water is relatively unimportant, and of no value apart from the Spirit-change of which it may be a picture, or even a synonym. More than that, the Spirit-birth, the Divine operation, is the efficient cause of that which, under the form of a human experience, is called μετάνοια. The human metanoia, rather than the new birth, is the great burden of our Lord's public address, as recorded in the synoptic Gospels. In both representations the same fact, the same condition and state of the human consciousness, is referred to. In "repentance," however, and in the moral characters which are the several preliminaries to the beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, a change is declared necessary for the constitution and inauguration of the kingdom of heaven. This change is there viewed from the standpoint of human experience, and urged in the form of a direct appeal to conscience. In this discourse to Nicodcmus the same change is exhibited on its Divine side, and as one produced by the Spirit of God. In the Sermon on the Mount "meekness," "poverty of spirit," "mourning," "hunger after righteousness," "purity of heart," the spirit of forgiveness and long suffering, are the moral conditions of those minds and hearts which would become the city of God and the light of the world (<a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Matthew 5:1-12</a>). On this occasion, when addressing the learned rabbi, Christ sums all up in the demand for a birth from the Spirit - a new and spiritual recommencement of life from the Spirit of God. The clause found in the Vetus Itala and the Syriac, quia Deus spiritus est, et de Deo natus est, is a gloss sustained by no Greek manuscript authority. Thorns here quotes two interesting passages from Philo, 1:533, 599, where the νοῦς is spoken of as given to man from above, and where the supremacy of the spiritual over the fleshly is made the only guarantee of admission into the world of spirit. But Philo obviously meant the intellectual rather than the moral element in human nature, and prized the ascetic process rather than the supernatural regeneration. <a href="/commentaries/john/3-6.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Flesh σάρξ (sarx) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4561.htm">Strong's 4561: </a> Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. born γεγεννημένον (gegennēmenon) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1080.htm">Strong's 1080: </a> From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate. of ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. flesh, σαρκὸς (sarkos) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4561.htm">Strong's 4561: </a> Flesh, body, human nature, materiality; kindred. [but] καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. spirit πνεῦμά (pneuma) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. born γεγεννημένον (gegennēmenon) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1080.htm">Strong's 1080: </a> From a variation of genos; to procreate; figuratively, to regenerate. of ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Spirit. Πνεύματος (Pneumatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/3-6.htm">NT Gospels: John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/3-5.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 3:5"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 3:5" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/3-7.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 3:7"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 3:7" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>