Γεννάω (“Gennao”) – To Be Born, Begotten or Conceived – and When?

Steve Corley

Given in Roanoke and Kingsport on Sabbath, 7/30/2022

Given in Knoxville on Sabbath, 9/10/2022

Often a Greek or Hebrew word from the original languages of the Bible can be translated into a number of different English words – with the correct translation depending on the context.  The translator has to be very careful in this regard.  An overriding principle of translation is that for a Greek or Hebrew word with multiple English meanings, the proper translation in a given Scriptural passage has to be chosen so that no contradiction with other Scriptures is introduced through the translation.  Even the best Bible translators seem to violate this rule often.  In an earlier sermon on judgment I mentioned the Greek word κρίσις (“krisis,” Strong’s #2920), from which we get our word “crisis.”  Strong’s defines the word as “decision” or “judgment” – but alternatively as “condemnation” – and the particular way it is translated into English makes a huge difference in the meaning of a Biblical passage.  Mistranslation has introduced artificial contradictions into the English Biblical text as we saw in the earlier sermon.  In another sermon we looked at the Greek word μισέω (“miseo,” Strong’s #3404) which can be translated as either “to hate” or “to love less.”  Mistranslation has led to a lot of confusion about what the Bible really tells us concerning hatred.  In a third sermon we focused on the Greek word νόμος (“nomos,” Strong’s #3551), which is translated “law” but which can refer to at least three different types of law depending on the context.  Misunderstanding of the different meanings has led to the doctrine of mainstream so-called “Christianity” that the entire Old Testament law is “done away.”  In this sermon I would like to focus on another Greek word which is frequently mistranslated, with the mistranslation leading to a false doctrine.  We might title this sermon “Γεννάω (“Gennao”) – To Be Born, Begotten or Conceived – and When?”

The Greek word γεννάω (“gennao,” Strong’s #1080) can, according to Strong’s, apply to any stage of growth in the womb from conception through birth.  This is a Greek word which has a range of meanings and is often mistranslated leading to artificial contradictions in many Bible translations – and to a false doctrine in many churches.  The most famous New Testament passage where this word is used is in John 3, where Jesus made to Nicodemus the famous statement in verse 3 that unless one is born again (or born anew, or from above, ἄνωθεν “anothen”) he cannot see the Kingdom of God.  From the statements in verses 6 and 8 it seems quite clear that no human being (except for Christ Himself after His resurrection) has actually been “born of the Spirit.”  However, in 1 John 2:29 we read that everyone who practices righteousness is born of God.  In 1 John 4:7 we read that everyone who loves is born of God.  In 1 John 5:1 we read also that whoever believes that Jesus is the Messiah is born of God.  Since “born of God” is equivalent to “born of the Spirit” and these verses in 1 John definitely seem to be talking about us in the here and now – do we have a contradiction here?  Not if we translate “gennao” properly.  In John 3 (referring to the state of the body after a resurrection to spirit life), “born” actually is the correct translation.  However, in 1 John 2:29, 4:7 and 5:1, clearly referring to the present time, “begotten” or “conceived” would be the better translation.  The Greek word covers the whole process from receiving the Holy Spirit following baptism up to ultimate resurrection to spirit life.  One reading Greek would know from the context which stage of the process is meant.  However, in English the right word must be chosen in translation to avoid confusion.  Translators often make mistakes here and the mistakes have led to the origin of false doctrines – including the doctrine that we are already “born again.”  The use of “born” as a translation of “gennao” in passages such as 1 John 2:29, 4:7 and 5:1 has led to this false idea – which runs into direct conflict with what Christ said in John 3:6 and 8 about one who has been “born of the Spirit.”

In the years leading up to the 1995 collapse the leadership of the former fellowship of many of us at that time attempted to foist on us the mainstream “Christian” doctrine that we are already “born again.”  They claimed that “begettal” of a child had not actually been accomplished until the child was born – trying to take advantage of the way we had earlier treated “to beget” as an alternative translation of “gennao.”  Such an idea was corrosive in that implied that the process of spiritual rebirth – which is equivalent to the salvation process – was somehow complete, de-emphasizing the need for further spiritual growth (and overcoming) in this life.  It reeked of the Calvinist doctrine of “once saved, always saved.” 

The leaders claimed that when Jesus stressed to Nicodemus in the conversation in John 3 the importance of being “born again” that He could not have been referring to the resurrection since Nicodemus was a Pharisee and the Pharisees already believed in the resurrection (cf. Acts 23:8).  Because of the Pharisee-resurrection argument, at the time I did tentatively accept the “new” doctrine regarding the “born-again” concept, although I had difficulty reconciling it with Scriptures such as the ones we read in John 3:6 and 8.  The argument did seem persuasive that why was Jesus trying to tell Nicodemus about the resurrection when Nicodemus, as a Pharisee, already believed in it.  However, if we look at the passage in John 3 closely we actually see that Jesus was also pointing out something else to Nicodemus.  Note the reference to being “born of water” before being “born of the Spirit” in verse 5.  Jesus was actually showing to Nicodemus, however, that the “gennao” process – though not completed until the resurrection – has to be started in this physical life, and the initial event needs to be baptism followed by “begettal” through receipt of the Holy Spirit.  Nicodemus was a Pharisee – and the Pharisees typically had earlier resisted being baptized by John (Luke 7:29-30) even though they may have come to his baptizing events, perhaps out of curiosity (Matt. 3:7).  Even though John baptized only with water and did not lay hands to impart the Holy Spirit, he nevertheless started the first step in the process – that of a baptism of repentance.  He pointed out that the One who would come shortly thereafter, who was greater than he was, would indeed baptize with the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11).

But Matthew 1:20 shows very clearly that “to be born” is not the only possible translation of “gennao” because the word here is used to describe the state of someone in the womb, conceived but not yet born.  “Born” is not the correct translation of “gennao” except in Scriptures which clearly refer to one who has been given a spirit body after the resurrection (as in John 3:6 and 8).  1 John 2:29, 4:7 and 5:1 show that the spiritual “gennao” process in our lives (though not complete) has indeed started – and the word “born” in these verses is a mistranslation and introduces an artificial contradiction with John 3:6 and 8.  By combining all the Scriptures we get a correct understanding of the full spiritual “gennao” process – beginning at baptism (John 3:5) and ending with resurrection to eternal spirit life (same verse). 

But it is very clear from the Bible that the “gennao” process has not been completed in our human lives and will be completed only when we become spirit beings – from the descriptions in John 3:6 and 8 of someone who has actually been “born” of the Spirit.  The words in these two verses in John 3 clearly cannot apply to any physical human being alive – although by contrast they did apply to the resurrected Christ (cf. John 20:26).  [Remember that 1 John 3:2 tells us that when Christ returns we shall be like Him.  Then the “gennao” process will be complete – we will finally actually be “born” of the Spirit and receive new bodies made of spirit (1 Cor. 15:42-44) and the descriptions of one “born” of the Spirit in John 3:6 and 8 will then actually apply to us.]

We have gone over three passages in 1 John where the proper translation of “gennao” should be “begotten” or “conceived.” Another is 1 John 5:4 – where the one who is begotten of God (correct translation) is in the process of overcoming the world.  The messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 show that the overcoming process is something which we have to do now – and our reward will be contingent on overcoming.  And 1 John 5:4 tells us also that the victory which has overcome the world is our faith.  And how do we show our faith?  Through our works (James 2:18).  Another such passage is in 1 Peter 1:23 – pointing out that we have been begotten again (correct translation) not of corruptible seed but incorruptible [we have been begotten by the Holy Spirit which is growing within us and eventually should completely fill us].  God will not allow His Holy Spirit to become corrupted – instead He will remove it from a person who repeatedly shows an attitude of rebellion against Him, as happened to King Saul (1 Sam. 16:14).  And another possible translation of the Greek word translated “incorruptible” is “imperishable” – which should bring to mind that having the Holy Spirit at death (or when Christ returns) is a necessary precondition for receiving a spirit body in the first resurrection (Romans 8:11).

But there are two more passages in 1 John for which “born” actually is the proper translation of “gennao” and which contain a huge promise for our future.  One is 1 John 3:9.  The one who has been actually born of God (in the first resurrection) does not sin,  The “seed” of the Holy Spirit remains in him permanently.  Furthermore, not only does he not sin, but he cannot sin.  This obviously cannot be referring to us today (1 John 1:8 and 10, with companion Scriptures being 1 Chron. 6:36 and Eccl. 7:20).  But note what an enormous promise this is for us when we are resurrected.  We now have to struggle against sin constantly (Romans 7:13-25 – note here how Paul longed to be delivered from sinful tendencies, also Hebrews 12:4).  When we are resurrected into a spirit body such will be no longer necessary.  We will be incapable of sinning, being tempted to sin, or wanting to sin.  Satan will be unable to influence us (1 John 5:18).  We will then be totally aligned with God the Father and Jesus Christ, just as Christ is, and always has been, totally aligned with His Father (John 14:10).  From the time we become spirit beings in the God Family, our thoughts and ways will be the same as the thoughts and ways of God the Father and Jesus Christ – in sharp contrast to the situation with us humans today (Isaiah 55:8-9).  Furthermore, the fact that we will be unable to sin means also that we will forever be unable to rebel against God – or to think the thoughts that lead to rebellion.  God guarantees that none of us who is resurrected in a spirit body will ever at any time become another rebel, another Satan.  There will be peace among us forever.  [The question was once posed to me – if after the resurrection, as immortal spirit beings, if any of us ever did decide to rebel as Lucifer did – could God revoke our immortality?  But 1 John 3:9 and 5:18 show that the question is moot.  When we are in the God Family it will be impossible for us to sin – and hence to rebel.  In this way we will have a blessing which even the angels were never given – since a number of them did rebel along with their leader, Lucifer.]

So we, if we have been baptized and have received the gift of the Holy Spirit, are indeed in the stages of the “gennao” process.  We are already children of God (1 John 3:2, Romans 8:16) – children begotten of the Spirit, though not yet born.  We know that when Christ is revealed (at His return), we shall be like Him (1 John 3:2, Psalm 17:15).  Just as an unborn child is supposed to be growing in the womb, the influence of the Holy Spirit is supposed to be growing in us until it completely dominates us.  The creation longs for the revealing of the children of God (Romans 8:19) – the time when our mortal physical bodies will be replaced with immortal spirit bodies (1 Cor. 15:44).  Physical abortion is terrible – the murder of an unborn human child.  But spiritual abortion is even worse – the loss of the Holy Spirit by someone in which the Spirit has been implanted, so that person cannot be resurrected to spirit life and become a member of the God Family.  Let us not let ourselves become aborted.  It is not God’s will that any should perish eternally (2 Peter 3:9).  So let us go forward, overcome the influence of the world and Satan (as Spirit-begotten Christians are supposed to do), pray for the strengthening of the Spirit within us, and look toward the day when the process of “gennao” will be complete in our lives – when we will actually be born of the Spirit, into an immortal spirit body in the Family of God.