from σπείρω; a sowing, i.e. (by implication) parentage:--seed.
Transliteration:sporá
Pronunciation:spor-ah'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun σπορά (sporá), Strong's `{{G4701}}`, is derived from the verb σπείρω (speirō, `{{G4687}}`), meaning "to sow" or "to scatter seed." Its primary literal meaning is "a sowing" or "the act of scattering seed." By implication, and significantly for its biblical usage, it extends to mean "parentage," "descent," or "seed" in the sense of that which gives rise to offspring or lineage. While closely related to σπέρμα (sperma, `{{G4690}}`), which refers to the "seed" itself (literal or figurative), σπορά tends to emphasize the *act* of sowing or the *source/nature* of the lineage rather than the physical substance of the seed.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term σπορά (sporá, `{{G4701}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, found in the First Epistle of Peter:
* **[[1 Peter 1:23]]**: "having been born again, not of corruptible seed (φθαρτῆς σπορᾶς), but of incorruptible (ἀφθάρτου σπορᾶς), through the word of God, which lives and abides forever."
In this pivotal verse, σπορά is used metaphorically to describe the "seed" from which believers are spiritually "born again" (ἀναγεννάω, anagennaō, `{{G308}}`). Peter draws a stark contrast between two types of "seed":
1. **"Corruptible seed" (φθαρτῆς σπορᾶς):** This refers to physical human parentage or any earthly, perishable origin. It signifies the limitations and mortality inherent in human life and descent.
2. **"Incorruptible seed" (ἀφθάρτου σπορᾶς):** This is the divine, imperishable source of spiritual life. The text immediately clarifies this "incorruptible seed" as "the word of God, which lives and abides forever" (διὰ λόγου ζῶντος Θεοῦ). This highlights that spiritual regeneration is not a product of human effort or natural processes, but a supernatural act initiated by God through His living and enduring Word. The use of σπορά here emphasizes the *origin* and *nature* of this new life—it is not from a perishable source but from an eternal one.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **σπείρω (speirō, `{{G4687}}`):** The root verb, meaning "to sow," directly informs the meaning of σπορά. It underscores the act of implanting or disseminating.
* **σπέρμα (sperma, `{{G4690}}`):** This is the more common Greek term for "seed," referring to the physical substance (e.g., plant seed, human semen) or figuratively to offspring, descendants, or even the Word of God as a life-giving agent. While σπορά emphasizes the *act* or *source*, σπέρμα often denotes the *product* or *substance*. In contexts of spiritual regeneration, both terms point to the divine origin, but σπορά in [[1 Peter 1:23]] specifically highlights the nature of the "sowing" as incorruptible.
* **γεννάω (gennaō, `{{G1080}}`):** "To beget," "to give birth." This verb is fundamental to the concept of generation, both physical and spiritual, and is closely associated with the idea of "seed" and "parentage."
* **ἀναγεννάω (anagennaō, `{{G308}}`):** "To beget again," "to be born again." This compound verb is used in [[1 Peter 1:3]] and [[1 Peter 1:23]], directly linking the "incorruptible seed" to the experience of spiritual regeneration.
* **λόγος Θεοῦ (logos Theou):** "Word of God." In [[1 Peter 1:23]], the Word of God is explicitly identified as the active, life-giving "seed" responsible for the new birth, emphasizing its inherent power and eternal nature.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of σπορά in [[1 Peter 1:23]] carries profound theological weight, primarily articulating the doctrine of spiritual regeneration:
* **Divine Origin of New Life:** The concept of "incorruptible seed" decisively points to God as the sole initiator and source of spiritual life. Unlike physical birth, which is subject to corruption and death, spiritual birth originates from an eternal, unchangeable source—God Himself, acting through His Word. This underscores that salvation is not an achievement of human will or effort but a sovereign act of divine grace.
* **The Efficacy of God's Word:** By identifying the "incorruptible seed" with "the word of God," the passage highlights the dynamic, life-imparting power of God's revelation. The Word is not merely information but a living, active agent capable of transforming human hearts and imparting eternal life. It is the means by which God's regenerating power is actualized in believers.
* **Radical Transformation:** The contrast between "corruptible seed" and "incorruptible seed" emphasizes the radical nature of the new birth. It is not a mere reformation of the old self but a fundamental re-creation, a new spiritual parentage that transcends the limitations and fallenness of human nature. This new life is qualitatively different and superior to anything that can originate from human lineage or earthly sources.
* **Assurance of Eternal Life:** Because the "seed" is "incorruptible," the life it produces is likewise imperishable and eternal. This provides a strong foundation for the believer's assurance of salvation and the enduring nature of their spiritual identity in Christ, rooted in God's eternal Word.
### Summary
The Greek word σπορά (sporá, `{{G4701}}`) fundamentally means "a sowing" or, by implication, "parentage" or "seed." Its sole New Testament occurrence in [[1 Peter 1:23]] is exceptionally significant, where it describes the "seed" from which believers are "born again." This "incorruptible seed" is explicitly identified as the "word of God," contrasting sharply with "corruptible seed" (human, perishable origin). Theologically, σπορά in this context underscores the divine origin and eternal nature of spiritual regeneration, emphasizing that new life in Christ is a supernatural act of God through His living and abiding Word, distinct from and superior to any earthly source. It highlights the efficacy of God's Word in imparting an imperishable spiritual identity.
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