Joh 3:6-7 | JFB | STEP | 6-8. That which is born, &c.—A great universal proposition; "That which is begotten carries within itself the nature of that which begat it" [OLSHAUSEN ]. flesh —Not the mere material body, but all that comes into the world by birth, the entire man; yet not humanity simply, but in its corrupted, depraved condition, in complete subjection to the law of the fall ( ). So that though a man "could enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born," he would be no nearer this "new birth" than before ( ). is spirit —"partakes of and possesses His spiritual nature."

John 3:6-7

6-8. That which is born, &c.—A great universal proposition; "That which is begotten carries within itself the nature of that which begat it" [OLSHAUSEN].

flesh—Not the mere material body, but all that comes into the world by birth, the entire man; yet not humanity simply, but in its corrupted, depraved condition, in complete subjection to the law of the fall (Ro 8:1-9). So that though a man "could enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born," he would be no nearer this "new birth" than before (Job 14:4; Ps 51:5).

is spirit—"partakes of and possesses His spiritual nature."

7. Marvel not, &c.—If a spiritual nature only can see and enter the kingdom of God; if all we bring into the world with us be the reverse of spiritual; and if this spirituality be solely of the Holy Ghost, no wonder a new birth is indispensable.

Ye must—"Ye, says Jesus, not we" [BENGEL]. After those universal propositions, about what "a man" must be, to "enter the kingdom of God" (Joh 3:5) —this is remarkable, showing that our Lord meant to hold Himself forth as "separate from sinners."