‏ James 1:18

 Of his own will ( βουληθεις ). First aorist passive participle of  βουλομα. Repeating the metaphor of birth in verse 15, but in good sense. God as Father acted deliberately of set purpose.

 He brought us forth ( απεκυησεν ). First aorist active indicative of  αποκυεω (verse 15), only here of the father (4 Macc. 15:17), not of the mother. Regeneration, not birth of all men, though God is the Father in the sense of creation of all men (Ac 17:28f.).

 By the word of truth ( λογω αληθειας ). Instrumental case  λογω. The reference is thus to the gospel message of salvation even without the article (2Co 6:7) as here, and certainly with the article (Col 1:5; Eph 1:13; 2Ti 2:15). The message marked by truth (genitive case  αληθειας ).

 That we should be ( εις το εινα ημας ). Purpose clause  εις το and the infinitive  εινα with the accusative of general reference  ημας (as to us).

 A kind of first-fruits ( απαρχην τινα ). "Some first-fruits" (old word from  απαρχομα ), of Christians of that age. See Ro 16:5.

Copyright information for RWP