1 Peter 1:23

having been begotten again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of God, which liveth and abideth.

Having been begotten again ... This is awkward, and the renditions of the RSV and the New English Bible (1961) are superior, "Ye were born again." This is positive proof that Peter was speaking of the new birth in the preceding verse.

Not of corruptible seed, .... "Peter in this stressed that "It is the word of God through which God brings forth new creatures?[60] The apostle James taught the same thing (James 1:18), as did also the evangelist Luke (Luke 8:11); "The seed is the word of God." In the present era, a great deal more needs to be made of the seed. The notion that the seed is weak and helpless and must have the direct operation of some external force (such as the Holy Spirit) in order to make it alive, effective, powerful or otherwise able to reproduce in the divine manner intended - all such thoughts are vain. The seed is able of itself to reproduce (Mark 4:26-29). The seed itself is living and active (Hebrews 4:12). It is the seed itself which produces the new birth and the consequent indwelling of the Spirit. It is the word of God that abideth forever.