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James 1:18
He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
There’s such a stark contrast between this verse and James 1:15, just a few verses earlier. Verse 15 describes how man’s own evil desire gives birth to sin, and sin ultimately gives birth to death… But here in verse 18, we see that through God’s unfathomable grace, “He chose to give us birth through the word of truth.” Belief in Jesus, who is the Word of God (John 1:1) and the Truth (John 14:6), allows us to be born again! While human desire gives birth to sin and death, faith in Jesus gives His followers rebirth to eternal life. Talk about exact opposites!
Let’s dig into the concept of being “born again”, which we find in the conversation between Nicodemus and Jesus in John 3. In verse 3 of this chapter, Jesus declares, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Then in verses 5-6, He continues, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
By putting our faith and trust in Christ, we are no longer “in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you” (Romans 8:9). In his second letter to Corinth, Paul explained that “if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we repent and turn to Jesus to save us, we die to our human nature and to our self, experiencing rebirth into God’s family, sealed by the Spirit and led by Him as children of God.
This marks the start of the journey of sanctification. In John 17, as Jesus is praying shortly before His arrest on Good Friday, He implores the Father in verse 17 to “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” When we take time to read the Bible, to dig in and study it deeply, to memorize and meditate on Scripture, He is using His Word to sanctify us, refining us and bringing us closer and closer to the character of Christ.
James ended this verse with a reference to firstfruits, bringing to mind the sacrifices Israel made to the Lord in the Old Testament. In Leviticus 23:9-14, the offering of the firstfruits was instituted. Through Moses, God commanded that a sheaf of the first grain harvested was to be offered to God. Then, in Numbers 15:17-21, God also directed that a loaf from the first of the ground meal should be presented to Him as an offering. Furthermore, in Deuteronomy 26:1-11, God outlined the offering of the firstfruits in more detail, explaining that it was to include firstfruits from all that was produced from the soil. Specifically in verse 11, He instructed Israel to “rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household,” which was represented by the firstfruits offering. This is also sounds a lot like James 1:17, doesn’t it?
The reference of firstfruits here in James creates a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. Let’s look at the Greek word for firstfruits, which is aparche, to gain more clarity on the connection. The Blue Letter Bible provides this definition:
“Aparche: To take away the firstfruits of the productions of the earth which was offered to God. The first portion of the dough, from which sacred loaves were to be prepared. Hence term used of persons consecrated to God for all time.”[1] (Emphasis mine)
In God’s beautiful way, the Old Testament sacrifice of the firstfruits pointed toward what His people are now, consecrated to Him for all eternity through the blood of Christ. Just as firstfruits were an offering set apart to worship God and to honor Him for His holiness, as God’s people today, marked by the Spirit as firstfruits (Romans 8:23), we are set apart to proclaim the good news of Jesus to all people so they may receive His gift of salvation. And together all of the saints will dwell with God, worshipping Him and honoring Him for His holiness forever.
[1] G536 – aparchē – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g536/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/
Heather L. Myers 