Parallel Verses
An Understandable Version
It was God's purpose to bring us into being [spiritually] by the message of truth, so that we could become a kind of "firstfruits" of those He created. [Note: "Firstfruits" here suggests either that Christians are the best of all of God's creatures (Num. 18:12), or that they were the first to be converted, with many more to come].
New American Standard Bible
In the exercise of
King James Version
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Holman Bible
By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth
International Standard Version
In accordance with his will he made us his children by the word of truth, so that we might become the most important of his creatures.
A Conservative Version
Having deliberated, he begot us by the word of truth for us to be a certain first fruit of his creatures.
American Standard Version
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Amplified
It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes].
Anderson New Testament
Of his own will, he begot us with the word of truth, in order that we might be, as it were, the first-fruits of his creatures.
Bible in Basic English
Of his purpose he gave us being, by his true word, so that we might be, in a sense, the first-fruits of all the things which he had made.
Common New Testament
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Daniel Mace New Testament
'tis he that has voluntarily renew'd us by the oracles of truth, that we might be the first converts of the new creation.
Darby Translation
According to his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we should be a certain first-fruits of his creatures.
Godbey New Testament
Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we should be some first fruit of his creations.
Goodspeed New Testament
Of his own accord he brought us into being through the message of truth, so that we might be a kind of first-fruits among his creatures.
John Wesley New Testament
Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Julia Smith Translation
Having willed he brought forth by the word of truth, for us to be some first fruit of his creatures.
King James 2000
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Lexham Expanded Bible
[By his] will he gave birth to us through the message of truth, so that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Modern King James verseion
Of His own will He brought us forth with the Word of truth, for us to be a certain firstfruit of His creatures.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
Of his own will begat he us with the word of life, that we should be the first fruits of his creatures.
Moffatt New Testament
It was his own will that we should be born by the Word of the truth, to be a kind of firstfruits among his creatures.
Montgomery New Testament
Because he willed, he gave us birth through the word of truth, so that we should be a kind of first-fruits among his creatures.
NET Bible
By his sovereign plan he gave us birth through the message of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
New Heart English Bible
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Noyes New Testament
Of his own will he begot us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Sawyer New Testament
Of his own will begat he us by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruit of his creatures.
The Emphasized Bible
Because he was so minded, he hath brought us forth with a word of truth, to the end we should be a sort of firstfruit of his creatures
Thomas Haweis New Testament
Of his own choice he produced us by the word of truth, that we might be a sort of first fruit of his creatures.??19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
Twentieth Century New Testament
Because he so willed, he gave us Life, through the Message of the Truth, so that we should be, as it were, an earnest of still further creations.
Webster
Of his own will he hath begotten us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.
Weymouth New Testament
In accordance with His will He made us His children through the Message of the truth, so that we might, in a sense, be the Firstfruits of the things which He has created.
Williams New Testament
In accordance with His will He made us His children by the message of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
World English Bible
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.
Worrell New Testament
Having willed it, He brought us forth with a word of truth, that we might be a certain first-fruit of His creatures.
Worsley New Testament
who hath of his own will begotten us by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.
Youngs Literal Translation
having counselled, He did beget us with a word of truth, for our being a certain first-fruit of His creatures.
Themes
First fruits » Illustrative of » Church of Christ
The gospel » Is called the » Word of truth
Holy spirit » Regenerating » Necessary to salvation
New » Birth » Necessary to salvation
New Birth » Through the instrumentality of » The word of God
New Birth » Is of the will of God
Regeneration » The teaching concerning » Necessary to salvation
The scriptures » Designed for » Regenerating
Interlinear
Boulomai
References
American
Fausets
Hastings
Word Count of 37 Translations in James 1:18
Prayers for James 1:18
Verse Info
Context Readings
Testing And Tempting
17 Every good thing that is given and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same]. 18 It was God's purpose to bring us into being [spiritually] by the message of truth, so that we could become a kind of "firstfruits" of those He created. [Note: "Firstfruits" here suggests either that Christians are the best of all of God's creatures (Num. 18:12), or that they were the first to be converted, with many more to come]. 19 You people [already] know this [or, "you should know this"], my dearly loved brothers. However, every person should be quick to listen, slow to talk and slow in becoming angry.
Cross References
1 Peter 1:23
You have experienced new birth, not from seed that can decay, but from seed that cannot decay, through the living and enduring word of God.
John 1:13
[Such people] were born of God, not of blood ties [i.e., from physical descendants], nor of the will of the flesh [i.e., merely from a sexual desire], nor of the will of man [i.e., from a husband's desire for offspring].
Revelation 14:4
These people are the ones who did not practice sexual immorality with women, for they were virgins [Note: This probably has reference to people who avoided idolatry]. These are people who followed the Lamb wherever He went. They were purchased from among mankind to be the firstfruits [devoted] to God and to the Lamb.
Ephesians 1:12
The end [i.e., of being so predetermined] was that we [Jewish Christians], who had previously placed our hope in Christ, should bring about the praise of God's splendor.
1 Peter 1:3
God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, is to be praised for being so merciful as to have given us a new birth, which provides for us a hope of never ending life through the means of Jesus Christ's return from the dead.
John 3:3-5
Jesus said to him, "Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot see the kingdom of God [i.e., enter it. See verse 5], unless he is born from above [Note: The words "from above" are also used in verse 31, but in this place they could also mean "again," or "anew" and refer to the source of a person's second birth].
Romans 4:17
just as it is written [Gen. 17:5], "I [i.e., God] have made you [i.e., Abraham] forefather of many nations." He received this promise in the presence of God, in whom he believed, and who gives life [back] to dead people and who refers to things [promised] as though they were [already] fulfilled.
Romans 8:29-31
For [that class of] persons whom God knew beforehand He also predetermined to become conformed to the [spiritual] likeness of His Son, so that He could be the firstborn One among [His] many brothers [i.e., so He could be the preeminent example to all His followers. See Heb. 2:11].
Romans 9:15-18
For He said to Moses [Ex. 33:19], "I will show pity to whomever I want, and I will show mercy to whomever I want."
1 Corinthians 4:15
For although you have ten thousand guardians [Note: This word means someone who transported a child to his teacher] in [the fellowship of] Christ, you do not have many [spiritual] fathers. For I [spiritually] conceived you people through [preaching to you] the good news [about Christ]. [Note: Paul here refers to his work in establishing the church at Corinth].
Ephesians 2:4-5
But God, who has great love for us and abundant mercy [toward us],
Colossians 1:20-21
and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven. He made peace [with mankind] through the [sacrificial] blood of Christ's [death on the] cross.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
But we ought to thank God for you always, brothers [who are] dearly loved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning [Note: Some manuscripts use the Greek word for "firstfruits" instead of "beginning" here, but it is difficult to know in what sense the Thessalonian Christians were "first"], in order to be saved through being set apart by the Holy Spirit and through belief of the truth [of the Gospel].
Hebrews 12:23
and to the church of the firstborn ones [i.e., those who have received an inheritance from their Father], whose names are recorded in heaven. [See Luke 10:20]. [You have come] to God, who is the Judge of all people, and to the spirits of righteous people who have become [morally] perfect [i.e., that great company of God's people who have gone on to their heavenly reward],
James 1:21
Therefore, you should put away [from you] all moral filth and overflowing wickedness and humbly receive the word [of God], planted within you [by the Holy Spirit. See John 16:8], which is capable of saving your souls.
1 John 3:9
No one who has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God continues to live a sinful life, because God's seed [i.e., His word, See Luke 8:11] continues to live in his heart, so he cannot [continue a life of] sin, because he has been conceived by God.