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Bible Question: What does the Bible mean when it says Jesus is the only begotten
Son?
Bible Answer: The expression "only begotten" is a poorly translated Greek word.
This word actually means "unique," "only," or "only one of its'
kind." This expression is found in the familiar passage,
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For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal
life. (NASB) John 3:16 |
Meaning. The Greek word for "only begotten" is MONOGENES. It is a compound
word made of two other Greek words MONOS meaning "only" and GENOS
meaning "kind or race." If we combine the words we get "only kind"
or "unique."
Scriptural Example. Most of us are familiar with Abraham and his eight sons: Ishmael
(Gen. 16:15), Issac (Gen. 21:3) and six other sons by Keturah
(Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah, Gen. 25:1-2).
Issac was not Abraham's first born son, but he was Abraham's special
son (Gen. 17:19), being the promised one from God. Now turn to
Hebrews 11:17,
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By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he
who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten
son; it was he to whom it was said, "IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS
SHALL BE CALLED." (NASB) Hebrews 11:17-18 |
Notice that Isaac is called "only begotten." Was Isaac Abraham's
only son? No! He had eight sons. The Greek word has been misunderstood
and poorly translated. It does not mean he was born. The Greek
word means "unique" or "one and only." Some of the newer Bible
translations such as the New Century Version, New International
Version, and the New Living Translation are now using the correct
wording. Here is the NIV's wording,
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For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life. (NIV) John 3:16 |
Conclusion: Jesus is the one and only Son of God - not created and not made.
And since the expression "Son of God" was an ancient expression meaning that Jesus was and is God,
Jesus is the one and only God. He is the eternal One! |
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