Introduction

Understanding Greek words is crucial in Biblical studies for uncovering the deeper meanings within the text. The Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) is particularly significant because it refers to the “good news” or “gospel.” This term is foundational in the New Testament and central to Christian theology, representing the message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Knowing the nuances of this word enhances our grasp of early Christian teachings and the broader cultural implications of spreading this “good news” in ancient times.

Key Information

• The Greek Word: εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) [yoo-ang-GHEL-ee-on]
• Etymology: Derived from εὖ (eu), meaning “good,” and ἄγγελος (angelos), meaning “messenger” or “message.” Together, they form the concept of “good news” or “gospel.”
• Part of Speech: Noun, neuter; second declension.
• The F.O.G Word Choice: Coming Soon.

Primary Meanings

• Good news: Specifically, the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.
• Gospel: Refers to the written accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection in the New Testament (e.g., the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
• Message or proclamation: Used in contexts where the focus is on the content of the message being delivered rather than the form.

Similar Words: κηρυγμα (kērygma) [kay-RIG-ma], meaning “proclamation” or “preaching.” While εὐαγγέλιον focuses on the “good news” content, κηρυγμα can refer to the act of proclamation itself or the core message preached, without the specific connotation of “good news.”

Further Insights: εὐαγγέλιον is a neuter noun in the second declension. It often appears in the singular form when referring to the “good news” of Jesus Christ. The following table shows the full declension of the noun in the singular and plural:

Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Lexicon Insights

BDAG: Defines εὐαγγέλιον as “good news,” especially in reference to the message of God’s salvation through Jesus Christ. The term is central to the early Christian preaching and is commonly used to denote the narrative accounts of Jesus’ life in the Gospels.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s lexicon describes εὐαγγέλιον as “a reward for good tidings,” evolving to mean the good news itself. It emphasizes the term’s use in early Christian writings to denote both the message and the written record of Jesus’ ministry.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary: Notes that εὐαγγέλιον is the noun form of the verb εὐαγγελίζω and refers to the content of the proclamation—specifically, the good news concerning Jesus’ death, resurrection, and the resulting salvation.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones): Recognizes εὐαγγέλιον as a term used in Hellenistic Greek to signify a reward for good tidings or the good tidings themselves. In Christian literature, it is distinctively associated with the message of Christ.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Lists εὐαγγέλιον as Strong’s G2098, defining it as “a good message” or “the gospel.” The term is used extensively in the New Testament to refer to the message of salvation and the literary form of the Gospels.

Related Scripture References

• Mark 1:1: “The beginning of the gospel (εὐαγγέλιον) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”
• Romans 1:16: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel (εὐαγγέλιον), for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…”
• 1 Corinthians 15:1: “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel (εὐαγγέλιον) which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand…”
• Galatians 1:6-7: “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel (εὐαγγέλιον); which is really not another…”

Classical Usage

Septuagint Examples:

Summary of εὐαγγέλιον (G2098)

The Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) is central to Christian theology and the New Testament, encapsulating the essence of the “good news” or “gospel.” It combines the concepts of good (εὖ) and message (ἄγγελος) and refers both to the content of the Christian message and the written accounts of Jesus’ life and works. Its usage in classical literature as good news, a reward for such news, or a proclamation, reveals its significance beyond religious contexts, illustrating the broader cultural and historical underpinnings that inform its meaning within the Bible.

Did You Know?

Did you know that the word “gospel,” which we commonly use in English today, comes from the Old English “godspel,” meaning “good news” or “glad tidings”? This term was directly influenced by the Greek εὐαγγέλιον, showing the continuity of this concept from the ancient world to modern Christian thought.