Brought us forth (616) (apekueo from apo = from, used with the sense of "to cease from" + kuéo = swell, be pregnant) means to "cease from" pregnancy and thus literally describes the birthing process. To bring forth from the womb. To begat, to bear, to give birth.
It is notable that apekueo is never used for creation, so that James is not explaining the creation of a living human race in general, but the re-creation (redemption) of a spiritually dead human race.
Brought forth in the aorist tense in context speaks of a once for all action in the past, an accomplished act, a completed new birth (indicative mood = it was a real event) at the time of our conversion when spiritual new life became a historical reality. This truth is a direct assault on the aberrant teaching that one can lose their "new birth"! How could we be "unbegat" or "unbirthed"?
As Hiebert rightly states...
In this epistle, James emphatically calls for Christian conduct as proof of the reality of our new birth, but he clearly insists that this new life must first be wrought in us by God. (James -- D. Edmond Hiebert) (Hiebert's Excellent Commentaries)
There is an striking contrast in the two births James describes in this section, the first beginning with lust and ending in death (Jas 1:14-15), and the second beginning with light (Father of lights) and ending in life!
The UBS Handbook notes that...
The verb “to give birth” is normally used of a mother giving birth to a child. It is interesting to observe that here God takes on a feminine role by giving new birth to Christians (Ed: He is however not implying that God is feminine.). The verb here is the same as the one used in verse 15 and is meant to contrast with that use: there sin gives birth to death, and here God gives birth to spiritual life for Christians. (The United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series)
In his Gospel, John teaches about the close association of light and life writing that...
In Him (Jesus) was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it... There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man... (Jesus declared) "I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life... While you have the light, believe in the light, in order that you may become sons of light... I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness. (John 1:4, 5, 9; 8:12, 12:36, 46)
Dear reader, have you come to the Light of the World that you might experience the light of life?
Robertson comments that in context apekueo speaks of...
Regeneration, not birth of all men, though God is the Father in the sense of creation of all men (Acts 17:28, 29ff.).
The 2 NT uses are both figurative, James 1:15 below personifying Sin as producing or bringing forth its vile offspring, death.
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (James 1:15-note)
Apekueo in James 1:18 is in dramatic contrast to the only other NT use by James, for here we see God begets new life in sinners who are dead in their trespasses and sins.
John wrote that...
as many as received Him (Jesus the Messiah), to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)
Paul wrote to the Ephesian believers explaining that...
In Him, you also, after listening to the message (rhema) of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise. (see note Ephesians 1:13)
Peter presents a similar begetting of believers initiated by the Word explaining to his readers that...
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1Pe 1:3-note)
Peter went on to explain later in this same chapter...
you have been born again (anagennao) not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding word of God. (1Pe 1:23-note)
John in a very important NT passage, also speaks of this new birth and it's radical effect on new creatures in Christ (2Cor 5:17) writing that...
No (ou = absolute negation) one who is born (gennao) of God practices (present tense = as their lifestyle; sure, believers still sin but if that is their lifestyle and there has never been any significant change after they said the "accepted Jesus" or "believed in Jesus", then one needs to be very concerned that this person is deceiving themselves as the rest of this verse amply explains! As an aside there are some in evangelical circles who have propounded the absurd teaching that one can express belief in Jesus and live the rest of their life just as they did before Jesus. This is a lie according to the apostle John, et al NT writers. Don't believe it no matter how many degrees those possess who spue out this deadly doctrine of demons) sin, because His seed abides (present tense = continually) in him; and he cannot (literally = "is not able" where not = ou signifying absolutely not and "able" also in the present tense, speaks of inherent ability - this born again one absolutely and continually has no inherent ability to commit sin as his or her way of life!) sin (present tense = habitually, as if nothing had changed in his heart. A new creature in Christ won't be perfect and may have seasons of sin but the indwelling Spirit is holy and He will cause one to tend toward holiness rather than toward unholiness. Do not be deceived!), because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9)
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Greek Word Studies ( - )
Read freely Greek Word Studies from the Austin Precept text commentary of the Bible in text and pdf format. Precept Austin is an online free dynamic bible commentary similar to wikipedia with updated content and many links to excellent biblical resources around the world. You can browse the entire collection of Commentaries by Verse on the Precept Austin website.We have been "bought with a price" to be "ambassadors for Christ" and our "salvation is nearer to us than when we believed" so let us "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" "so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming." (1Cor 6:20, 2Cor 5:20, Ro 13:11, 2Cor 7:1, 1Jn 2:28)