Matthew Poole and continuators on James 1:18

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth , that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures .

Out of his meer good pleasure as the Original cause, and not moved to it by any dignity or merit in us, Eph. 1.9. and 2 Tim. 1.9.

By a spiritual generation, whereby we are new-born, and are made partakers of a Divine Nature. Iohn 1.13. and 1 Pet. 1.3, 23.

i. e. The Word of the Gospel, as the instrument or means whereby we are regenerated: Why it is called the Word of Truth, see Eph. 1.13.

i. e. Most excellent Creatures, being singled out and separated from the rest, and consecrated to God, as under the Law the first-Fruits were, Rev. 14.4.

Viz. reasonable Creatures; the word Creature being elsewhere restrained to Men. See Mark 16.15. Col. 1.15.

Marginal references: Joh. 3.3.