John 3:6
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Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit.
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
That which is born, &c.--A great universal proposition; "That which is begotten carries within itself the nature of that which begat it" [OLSHAUSEN]. flesh--Not the mere material body, but all that comes into the world by birth, the entire man; yet not humanity simply, but in its corrupted, depraved condition, in complete subjection to the law of the fall (Rom 8:1-9). So that though a man "could enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born," he would be no nearer this "new birth" than before (Job 14:4; Psa 51:5). is spirit--"partakes of and possesses His spiritual nature."
Open source ↗In this chapter we have, I. Christ's discourse with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, concerning the great mysteries of the gospel, in which he here privately instructs him (v. 1-21). II. John Baptist's discourse with his disciples concerning Christ, upon occasion of his coming into the neighbourhood where John was (Joh 3:22-36), in which he fairly and faithfully resigns all his honour and interest to him.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Cross-references
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Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.
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.
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.
And God looked upon the earth and saw that it was corrupt; for all living creatures on the earth had corrupted their ways.
Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
How then can a man be just before God? How can one born of woman be pure?
In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands.