1 Peter 1 23

1 Peter 1:23 kjv

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Peter 1:23 nkjv

having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,

1 Peter 1:23 niv

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

1 Peter 1:23 esv

since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;

1 Peter 1:23 nlt

For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

1 Peter 1 verses

1 Peter 1 23 Meaning

This verse declares that believers have undergone a profound spiritual rebirth, which is fundamentally different from their physical birth. Unlike human procreation, which involves "corruptible seed" leading to mortal life, this new birth is initiated by "incorruptible" means—specifically, "the word of God." This divine word is presented as eternal, possessing inherent life and an enduring quality, standing in stark contrast to everything transient and perishable in the material world. It establishes the spiritual, eternal origin of a Christian's new life, serving as the basis for their identity and conduct.

1 Peter 1 23 Context

1 Peter chapter 1 centers on the glorious salvation of believers. Peter writes to dispersed Christians in Asia Minor, suffering persecution, reminding them of their high calling and sure hope in Christ. He begins by establishing their election (v. 2), the imperishable inheritance awaiting them (v. 4), and their being kept by God's power (v. 5). The letter transitions from their glorious future hope to their present holy conduct, urged by the understanding that Christ's precious blood redeemed them (v. 18-19). Verses 22-25 then emphasize fervent, sincere love among believers, directly linking this love to their new birth from an incorruptible source. Thus, verse 23 grounds the exhortation for brotherly love in the shared, divine, and eternal nature of their spiritual origin, contrasting it with any merely human or earthly basis for relationship. This spiritual rebirth gives them the capacity and impetus for genuine, undefiled love, echoing God's character revealed in His Word.

1 Peter 1 23 Word analysis

• Having been born again: (Greek: anagennao - ἀναγεννάω). This compound verb literally means "born again" or "begotten from above/anew." It denotes a spiritual regeneration, a radical change in one's spiritual nature. It is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action with ongoing results, emphasizing the permanent nature of this new birth.

• Not of corruptible: (Greek: phthartos - φθαρτοῦ). This adjective describes something perishable, decaying, mortal, subject to corruption or destruction. It refers to human or physical seed, representing the mortality and impermanence of natural life and its sinful inclination.

• Seed: (Greek: spora - σπορᾶς). This term refers to "seed" in a literal sense, used for human or animal procreation, or planting in the ground. Here, it signifies the principle or means of generation. The contrast is between a human source of life that inevitably decays and a divine source that is eternal.

• But incorruptible: (Greek: aphthartos - ἀφθάρτου). The negative prefix 'a-' reverses the meaning of phthartos. This describes something imperishable, undecaying, immortal, enduring, not subject to corruption. It speaks to the divine, eternal quality of God's work.

• Through the word of God: (Greek: dia logou Theou - διὰ λόγου Θεοῦ). Logos here signifies not merely spoken words but the entire self-revelation of God—His message, purpose, and Person, especially as proclaimed in the gospel. This "word" is the effective agent of regeneration, through which spiritual life is imparted.

• Which lives and abides forever: (Greek: zōntos kai menontos eis ton aiōna - ζῶντος καὶ μένοντος εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα). This describes the divine Logos.

  • Lives (zōntos): The Word is not dead letter but a dynamic, active, life-giving power. It is an ongoing present reality.
  • And abides forever (kai menontos eis ton aiōna): Emphasizes the Word's eternal duration, unchangeableness, and enduring effectiveness. It stands in stark contrast to the fleeting nature of all things in the fallen world.

• Words-Group analysis:

  • "born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible": This phrase draws a sharp contrast between two types of "seed" or origin. The first, "corruptible seed," refers to human procreation and the inherent mortality and fallenness passed down through physical lineage. The second, "incorruptible seed," refers to the divine, imperishable, and eternal origin of spiritual life. This is a foundational theological distinction emphasizing that salvation is not an improvement of the old nature but a impartation of a new one. It stands against any idea that spiritual standing could be achieved by natural birth (e.g., Jewish lineage alone) or human effort.
  • "through the word of God which lives and abides forever": This segment identifies the specific instrument of this incorruptible new birth: the logos of God. It highlights the power and efficacy of divine revelation in the process of spiritual regeneration. The descriptive phrases "lives and abides forever" directly attribute eternal, divine qualities to this Word, asserting its superiority and permanency compared to any human word or perishable reality. This sets the stage for trust and obedience to this eternal Word.

1 Peter 1 23 Bonus section

The concept of "seed" (spora) carries agricultural implications, implying that God's Word is sown and produces fruit in the lives of believers. This imagery aligns with the parables of Jesus, particularly the Parable of the Sower (Mk 4:14), where "the word" is explicitly called the "seed." The use of logos Theou as the agent of rebirth implies not merely a passive acceptance of information, but an active engagement with the authoritative, self-revelatory Word of God, which possesses intrinsic life-giving power. The polemic aspect contrasts this divine, imperishable birth with any worldly concept of identity based on ancestry, status, or works, redirecting the believers' confidence and foundation solely to God's eternal Word. The stability and immortality of this "incorruptible seed" (God's Word) guarantee the new birth is equally stable and eternally secure.

1 Peter 1 23 Commentary

1 Peter 1:23 provides the theological underpinning for the holy living and sincere love previously commanded (1 Pet 1:15, 22). The "new birth" (regeneration) is a sovereign work of God, entirely distinct from natural human birth. While human life originates from "corruptible seed" (genetically and morally fallible), the believer's spiritual life springs from an "incorruptible" source. This divine life is brought forth "through the word of God," meaning God's self-revelation, particularly the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. This Word is inherently "living," possessing divine energy to impart spiritual vitality, and it "abides forever," assuring the permanence and unchangeableness of the new life it generates. It is a divine and eternal seed planted in the human heart by the Spirit through the hearing of the Gospel. This verse serves as a crucial reminder that a believer's new identity is rooted in God's eternal truth, empowering them to live a life radically transformed and characterized by unfading love.