James 1:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Having made his decision, he gave birth to us through a Word that can be relied upon, in order that we should be a kind of firstfruits of all that he created.

Berean Standard Bible:

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation.

American Standard Version:

Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Of his own will^{G1014} begat he^{G616} us^{G2248} with the word^{G3056} of truth^{G225}, that^{G1519} we^{G2248} should be^{G1511} a kind^{G5100} of firstfruits^{G536} of his^{G846} creatures^{G2938}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for James 1:18

James 1:18 is part of the New Testament, specifically the Epistle of James, which is traditionally attributed to James the Just, the brother of Jesus and a leader in the early Christian community in Jerusalem. The verse reflects the theological and pastoral concerns of the letter, which is addressed to Jewish Christians scattered abroad, likely facing hardships and persecution.

In this verse, the author conveys several key themes:

1. **Divine Initiative**: The phrase "Of his own will" emphasizes that God has taken the initiative in the salvation process. It is not by human effort or desire, but by God's grace and sovereign choice that individuals are brought into a relationship with Him.

2. **Regeneration through the Word**: The term "begat he us" speaks to the concept of spiritual rebirth or regeneration. This new birth is effected "with the word of truth," which is a reference to the gospel message. The Word of God is powerful and active, creating faith and new life in those who receive it.

3. **Firstfruits**: The idea of being "a kind of firstfruits of his creatures" draws on an Old Testament concept where the first and best part of the harvest was offered to God as an act of worship and gratitude. In the New Testament, this term is used metaphorically to describe believers as the first and best of God's new creation, signifying a special status and a promise of more to come. As firstfruits, Christians are a foretaste of the full harvest of believers and the renewal of all things in Christ.

4. **Eschatological Hope**: The notion of firstfruits also carries eschatological significance, pointing to the future resurrection and the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Believers, as firstfruits, are assured of their eternal inheritance and the complete restoration that will occur when Christ returns.

In summary, James 1:18 encapsulates the divine origin of the Christian's spiritual rebirth, the transformative power of God's Word, and the believer's identity as firstfruits, which carries both a present and future significance in God's redemptive history. This verse serves as an encouragement to the early Christian community, reminding them of their chosen status, their present participation in God's kingdom, and their hope for the future.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1014
   There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: βούλομαι
   Transliteration: boúlomai
   Pronunciation: boo'-lom-ahee
   Description: middle voice of a primary verb; to "will," i.e. (reflexively) be willing:--be disposed, minded, intend, list, (be, of own) will (-ing). Compare θέλω.
   
2. Strong's Number: G616
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποκυέω
   Transliteration: apokyéō
   Pronunciation: ap-ok-oo-eh'-o
   Description: from ἀπό and the base of κῦμα; to breed forth, i.e. (by transference) to generate (figuratively):--beget, produce.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2248
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἡμᾶς
   Transliteration: hēmâs
   Pronunciation: hay-mas'
   Description: accusative case plural of ἐγώ; us:--our, us, we.
   
4. Strong's Number: G3056
   There are 316 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: λόγος
   Transliteration: lógos
   Pronunciation: log'-os
   Description: from λέγω; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):--account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say(-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
   
5. Strong's Number: G225
   There are 1319 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀλήθεια
   Transliteration: alḗtheia
   Pronunciation: al-ay'-thi-a
   Description: from ἀληθής; truth:--true, X truly, truth, verity.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1519
   There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰς
   Transliteration: eis
   Pronunciation: ice
   Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
   
7. Strong's Number: G1511
   There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἶναι
   Transliteration: eînai
   Pronunciation: i'-nahee
   Description: present infinitive from εἰμί; to exist:--am, was. come, is, X lust after, X please well, there is, to be, was.
   
8. Strong's Number: G5100
   There are 419 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τὶς
   Transliteration: tìs
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: an enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object:--a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever).
   
9. Strong's Number: G536
   There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀπαρχή
   Transliteration: aparchḗ
   Pronunciation: ap-ar-khay'
   Description: from a compound of ἀπό and ἄρχομαι; a beginning of sacrifice, i.e. the (Jewish) first-fruit (figuratively):--first-fruits.
   
10. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2938
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: κτίσμα
    Transliteration: ktísma
    Pronunciation: ktis'-mah
    Description: from κτίζω; an original formation (concretely), i.e. product (created thing):--creature.