John Capter 3 Translation

[jriccitelli]

I wouldn’t worry about the gender of ‘born’ as the Spirit from whom we are born is sometimes referred to in the feminine, by the way. God’s sexual nature is only of metaphor. Nicodemus seemed to understand Jesus’ words as referring possibly to the womb, so mother is suggested by the ‘response’ of Nicodemus. No matter what exact words you use in the English it would be hard to escape the picture presented by Jesus.

The important thing of Jesus teaching here is that we ‘must’ be born - again.

[steve7150]

Does God love the world? No, but God does loves the "orderly". Those who follow Jesus' laws are the ones who God loves. The Greek word is "kosmos" which is translated in this chapter as "world". Kosmos can also mean orderly, which is the proper word to use in this case.







Jesus told us to love our neighbors and enemies but God doesn't?

[Paidion]

I don’t think it is correct to consider “γενναω” (beget, generate) as tantamount to “τικτω” (give birth to)
If they are synonyms, then, in Matthew 1, we have the Abraham giving birth to Isaac, Isaac giving birth to Jacob, etc.

In John 3, “γεννηθεν”, aorist passive participle of the verb “γενναω” (beget) is translated as “born” and thus we think of Jesus as having told Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” Why not, “You must be begotten again”? Or “You must be generated again” (regenerated). I think this would be much more descriptive of what actually happens to the person who enters the door of salvation. The salvation process continues as he travels the narrow road, as he is being conformed to the image of Christ, making himself available to God’s enabling grace. At last, he is born into the resurrection and his perfection (completion) takes place.

But all translations of which I am aware, except one, render the words of Jesus as “You must be born again” or "You must be born from above." Only the Concordant Literal Version translates “γεννηθεν” in Jesus’ words as “begotten”.

Jesus was begotten in the womb of Mary, and was later born:

Matthew 1:20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived (γεννηθεν) in her is of the Holy Spirit.

Of course, no translation renders γεννηθεν as “born” in this verse! It wouldn’t make sense. It would make sense to translate the word as “begotten”. But I suppose “conceived” is all right, though it is narrower in meaning. The whole process of “begetting” for a woman includes conception, birth, and everything in between. When applied to a man, it usually refers only to the impregnation which results in the beginning of the life process. “γενναω” might also be translated as “produce”. How about “Abraham produced Isaac” and “You must be produced again”?

Having said this, I also admit that the word sometimes refers to “birth” and end of the production (or “begetting” or “generating”) process.

Luke 1:57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. NASB

Luke doesn’t repeat himself here. Forms of both “τικτω” and “γενναω” are used in this verse. The NASB treats the words as synonyms and translates them identically. I would translate the verse as follows:

Luke 1:57 Now the time was fulfilled for Elizabeth to give birth, and she produced a son. (Or “brought forth a son” as the AV and the NKJV have it.)