1 Peter 1:23
What does 1 Peter 1:23 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Peter 1:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Peter 1:23 means
Believers have been “begotten again” by a seed that cannot decay—“the word of God, which liveth and abideth.” The source of their new life is not mortal or temporary but divine and enduring. This explains why they can love deeply (v. 22): their life springs from an imperishable origin that continues its work. The word that brought them to life also sustains them, shaping desires and conduct. By pointing to the living, abiding word, Peter grounds Christian character not in human resolve but in God’s ongoing, life-giving speech that created a new people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Because you have had a new birth, not from the seed of man, but from eternal seed, through the word of a living and unchanging God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862being begotten again, not out of seed corruptible, but incorruptible, through a word of God--living and remaining--to the age;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, by the word of God who liveth and remaineth for ever.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by [the] living and abiding word ofGod.
Context
This verse provides the foundation for the command to fervent love in verse 22: the new birth by the enduring word. Verses 24–25 will illustrate the contrast between perishable human life and the permanence of God’s word, strengthening the appeal to live out what God has planted. The argument moves from cause (new birth) to permanence (the word) to practice (love).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 15:53
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
- John 3:5
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
- 1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is begotten of God sinneth not; but he that was begotten of God keepeth himself, and the evil one toucheth him not.
- John 1:3
All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made.
- Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.
- 1 Peter 1:3
Blessedbethe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
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