Suggestions that the saying is
actually about two births, one εξ υδατος and the other εκ πνυματος are not compelling because in
fact the two nouns are governed by one preposition (εξ υδατος και πνυματος), pointing to one birth which is
related to both water and the Spirit. Some have suggested that “water” here is
purely figurative, denoting the spiritual cleansing and transformation wrought
by the Spirit, as promised by the prophets (Ezek 36:25-27). Although this is
possible, it is difficult to read John 3:5 in its context without thinking of
baptism (cf. 1:24-34; 3:22-23; 4:1-2). (Stanley K. Fowler, More than a
Symbol: The British Baptist Recovery of Baptismal Sacramentalism [Studies
in Baptist History and Thought 2; Eugene, Oreg.: Wipf and Stock, 2002], 163)
Of course, not holding to baptismal regeneration, so Fowler needs
to downplay the salvific efficacy of “water” in this verse:
However, even if it is assumed
that “water” in this saying refers to baptism, there are various ways of
interpreting the systematic implications of this reading of the text. Some see
in it a polemical reference to John’s baptism, an emphasis that John’s baptism
is inadequate in itself to effect entrance into the kingdom of God. Others see
a reference to Christian baptism, an indication that through the work of Jesus
Christ baptism will become not simply an expression of repentance but an
occasion for the transforming gift of the Holy Spirit. Given this Gospel’s
frequent use of terms that are pregnant with meaning, it may well be that there
is both a backward and forward reference in the word. It is crucial to note
that the emphasis in John 3 is on the fact that the birth is εκ του πνευματος (vss. 6 and 8, as well as 5),
which is to say that although this birth is related to both water and the
Spirit, it is not related to both in the same way. Water has a role to play,
but its significance is found not in itself but in its water (baptism) is a
vehicle of spiritual rebirth, which is to say that baptism is sacramental in
character. (Ibid., 163)
