What does "Grace" mean in the Bible?

Grace (charis in Greek, chen in Hebrew) is God's undeserved kindness toward humanity. It is the foundation of the Christian gospel — salvation is by grace through faith, not by works.

What does "Agape" mean in the Bible?

Agape is the Greek word for unconditional, selfless love. It describes God's love for humanity and the love Christians are called to show — a love that gives without expecting return.

What does "Faith" mean in the Bible?

Faith (pistis in Greek, emunah in Hebrew) is the foundational response God requires of humanity — trusting in His character, His word, and His saving work through Jesus Christ.

What does "Redemption" mean in the Bible?

Redemption means to purchase freedom by paying a price. In the Bible, God redeems His people from slavery, sin, and death through the blood of Jesus Christ — the ultimate ransom.

Born Again (Gennaō)

γεννάω ἄνωθεν (gennaō anōthen)

Born from above — the spiritual rebirth that begins an entirely new life through God's Spirit.

Greek

Strong's G1080

Pronunciation: gen-NAH-oh AH-noh-then

Quick Answer

Gennaō anōthen means 'born from above' or 'born again,' describing the spiritual rebirth Jesus declared necessary for seeing the kingdom of God. It is the supernatural act of God creating new life in a person through the Spirit.

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." — John 3:3 (KJV)

Key Verses

John 3:3

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

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John 3:5-6

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

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1 Peter 1:23

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”

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Strong's Concordance

Strong's G1080 — Born Again (Gennaō) (γεννάω ἄνωθεν (gennaō anōthen))

Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where γεννάω ἄνωθεν (gennaō anōthen) appears.

Open Strong's G1080

Etymology and Original Meaning

Gennaō means 'to beget' or 'to give birth.' Anōthen means both 'again' and 'from above' — the double meaning is intentional. The new birth is both a fresh start (again) and a divine origin (from above). Nicodemus heard 'again' and was confused; Jesus meant 'from above' — a birth whose origin is heavenly, whose agent is the Spirit, and whose result is entirely new life.

The Necessity of New Birth

Jesus' statement is absolute: 'Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God' (John 3:3). Not 'should be' but 'must be.' The new birth is not optional, not merely recommended, not one path among many. It is the non-negotiable requirement for entering God's kingdom. No amount of religion, morality, education, or effort substitutes for spiritual rebirth.

The Agent of New Birth

The new birth is the Spirit's work: 'That which is born of the Spirit is spirit' (John 3:6). Like wind, the Spirit 'bloweth where it listeth' — sovereign, mysterious, powerful (3:8). Humans cannot produce their own rebirth any more than a baby can produce its own birth. The new birth is God's initiative, God's power, and God's gift — received, not achieved.

The Means and Evidence

Peter identifies the means: 'born again... by the word of God' (1 Peter 1:23). The Spirit uses Scripture to create new life. The evidence of new birth includes faith in Christ (1 John 5:1), love for others (1 John 4:7), overcoming the world (1 John 5:4), and practicing righteousness (1 John 2:29). New birth produces a new kind of person — with new desires, new capacities, and a new nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does born again mean?

Born again (gennaō anōthen) means 'born from above' — a spiritual rebirth accomplished by God's Spirit. It is the supernatural creation of new spiritual life in a person, making them a new creature with new desires, capacities, and relationship with God.

How is a person born again?

Through the Holy Spirit working through God's Word (1 Peter 1:23; John 3:5-6). The Spirit creates new life in response to faith in Christ. It is God's work, not human effort — received as a gift through believing in Jesus.

What is the Greek word for "Born Again (Gennaō)" in the Bible?

γεννάω ἄνωθεν (gennaō anōthen), pronounced "gen-NAH-oh AH-noh-then." It means born from above — the spiritual rebirth that begins an entirely new life through god's spirit. Its Strong's number is G1080. It is the word behind "Born Again (Gennaō)" in the New Testament, for example in John 3:3.

Which Bible verse uses the word "Born Again (Gennaō)"?

John 3:3 — "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (KJV). It also appears in John 3:5-6, 1 Peter 1:23.

Related Words

Where to go next

Studied the meaning of Born Again (Gennaō)? Continue with these word-study and Scripture pages.

Born Again (Gennaō)

Key Verses

John 3:3

John 3:5-6

1 Peter 1:23

Strong's G1080 — Born Again (Gennaō) (γεννάω ἄνωθεν (gennaō anōthen))

Etymology and Original Meaning

The Necessity of New Birth

The Agent of New Birth

The Means and Evidence

Frequently Asked Questions

What does born again mean?

How is a person born again?

What is the Greek word for "Born Again (Gennaō)" in the Bible?

Which Bible verse uses the word "Born Again (Gennaō)"?

Related Words

Related Reading

Born Again (Gennaō) (γεννάω ἄνωθεν (gennaō anōthen))

Strong's G1080 — Born Again (Gennaō)

Bible Verses About Being Born Again

Bible Verses for a Newborn Baby

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Biblical Meaning of Eagles in a Dream (KJV)

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