The seed that brought about their rebirth was “imperishable.” Peter identifies not only what the seed is (i.e., the Word of God) but also that this word is “living and abiding,” that is, it does not perish or decay, but is instead life-giving and eternal. With the phrase, then, he explains what he means with “imperishable,” and so establishes the contrast with human seed, which is perishable and generates what is perishable.
23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;