King James Bible
"Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures."
God's sovereign choice initiated our spiritual birth—not human effort or merit. The language of begetting emphasizes God as Father who actively brings forth new life in believers through regeneration. The gospel message serves as God's instrument for spiritual rebirth. James connects divine will to divine revelation, showing that transformation comes through encountering God's truth rather than through ritual or human wisdom. Believers represent the initial harvest of God's new creation, pointing to a greater redemption to come. The firstfruits metaphor from Jewish harvest festivals suggests Christians are both a pledge and preview of God's plan to restore all creation.