Charles Ellicott Commentary John 3:6

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." — John 3:6 (ASV)

The sense suggested for the last clause, In this manner is every one born who is of the Spirit, removes the necessity of finding something with which the work of the Spirit may be compared. It is in this necessity that the received versions of the first clause really find their root.

These reasons are, it is thought, not an insufficient basis for the interpretation adopted here. It is adopted not without the knowledge that a consensus of authorities may be argued against it. For its details, it may be that no authority can be cited, but the rendering of πνεῦμα here by “spirit” is not without the support of breadth of learning and depth of power, critical acumen and spiritual insight, for it rests on the names of Origen and Augustine, of Albrecht Bengel and Frederick Maurice.