# born again, born of God, new birth

## Definition:

The term “born again” was first used by Jesus to describe what it means for God to change a person from being dead spiritually to being alive spiritually. The terms “born of God” and “born of the Spirit” also refer to a person being given new spiritual life.

* All humans are born spiritually dead and are given a “new birth” when they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
* At the moment of the spiritual new birth, God’s Holy Spirit begins to live in the new believer and empowers him to produce good spiritual fruit in his life.
* It is God’s work to cause a person to be born again and become his child.

## Translation Suggestions:

* Other ways to translate “born again” could include “born anew” or “born spiritually.”
* It is best to translate this term literally and use the normal word in the language that would be used for being born.
* The term “new birth” might be translated as “spiritual birth.”
* The phrase “born of God” could be translated as “caused by God to have new life like a newborn baby” or “given new life by God.”
* In the same way, “born of the Spirit” could be translated as “given new life by the Holy Spirit” or “empowered by the Holy Spirit to become God’s child” or “caused by the Spirit to have new life like a newborn baby.”

(See also: [Holy Spirit](../kt/holyspirit.md), [save](../kt/save.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 John 03:09](rc://en/tn/help/1jn/03/09)
* [1 Peter 01:03](rc://en/tn/help/1pe/01/03)
* [1 Peter 01:23](rc://en/tn/help/1pe/01/23)
* [John 03:04](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/03/04)
* [John 03:07](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/03/07)
* [Titus 03:05](rc://en/tn/help/tit/03/05)

## Word Data:

* Strong’s: G313, G509, G1080, G3824
