Begotten of God

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Child, Children, Childbearing, Childish, Childless

monogenes (μονογενής, 3439), lit., “only-begotten,” is translated “only child” in Luke 9:38. See ONLY, ONLY-BEGOTTEN.

monogenes (μονογενής, 3439) is used five times, all in the writings of the apostle John, of Christ as the Son of God; it is translated “only begotten” in Heb. 11:17 of the relationship of Isaac to Abraham.

With reference to Christ, the phrase “the only begotten from the Father,” John 1:14, rv (see also the marg.), indicates that as the Son of God He was the sole representative of the Being and character of the One who sent Him. In the original the definite article is omitted both before “only begotten” and before “Father,” and its absence in each case serves to lay stress upon the characteristics referred to in the terms used. The apostle’s object is to demonstrate what sort of glory it was that he and his fellow apostles had seen. That he is not merely making a comparison with earthly relationships is indicated by para, “from.” The glory was that of a unique relationship and the word “begotten” does not imply a beginning of His Sonship. It suggests relationship indeed, but must be distinguished from generation as applied to man.

We can only rightly understand the term “the only begotten” when used of the Son, in the sense of unoriginated relationship. “The begetting is not an event of time, however remote, but a fact irrespective of time. The Christ did not become, but necessarily and eternally is the Son. He, a Person, possesses every attribute of pure Godhood. This necessitates eternity, absolute being; in this respect He is not ‘after’ the Father” (Moule). The expression also suggests the thought of the deepest affection, as in the case of the OT word yachid, variously rendered, “only one,” Gen. 22:2, 12; “only son,” Jer. 6:26; Amos 8:10; Zech. 12:10; “only beloved,” Prov. 4:3, and “darling,” Ps. 22:20; 35:17.

In John 1:18 the clause “the only begotten son, which is in the bosom of the Father,” expresses both His eternal union with the Father in the Godhead and the ineffable intimacy and love between them, the Son sharing all the Father’s counsels and enjoying all His affections. Another reading is monogenes Theos, “God only-begotten.” In John 3:16 the statement, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son,” must not be taken to mean that Christ became the only begotten son by incarnation. The value and the greatness of the gift lay in the Sonship of Him who was given. His Sonship was not the effect of His being given. In John 3:18 the phrase “the name of the only begotten son of God” lays stress upon the full revelation of God’s character and will, His love and grace, as conveyed in the name of One who, being in a unique relationship to Him, was provided by Him as the object of faith. In 1 John 4:9 the statement “God hath sent His only begotten son into the world” does not mean that God sent out into the world one who at His birth in Bethlehem had become His Son. Cf. the parallel statement, “God sent forth the Spirit of His Son,” Gal. 4:6, rv, which could not mean that God sent forth One who became His Spirit when He sent Him.1

1 W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 447–448.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Beget, Bear (of Begetting), Born

1. gennao (γεννάω, 1080), “to beget,” in the passive voice, “to be born,” is chiefly used of men “begetting” children, Matt. 1:2–16; more rarely of women “begetting” children, Luke 1:13, 57, “brought forth” (for “delivered,” in this v., see No. 4); 23:29; John 16:21, “is delivered of,” and of the child, “is born” (for “is in travail” see No. 4). In Gal. 4:24, it is used allegorically, to contrast Jews under bondage to the Law, and spiritual Israel, KJV, “gendereth,” RV, “bearing children,” to contrast the natural birth of Ishmael and the supernatural birth of Isaac. In Matt. 1:20 it is used of conception, “that which is conceived in her.” It is used of the act of God in the birth of Christ, Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5, quoted from Psalm 2:7, none of which indicate that Christ became the Son of God at His birth.

It is used metaphorically (a) in the writings of the apostle John, of the gracious act of God in conferring upon those who believe the nature and disposition of “children,” imparting to them spiritual life, John 3:3, 5, 7; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18; (b) of one who by means of preaching the gospel becomes the human instrument in the impartation of spiritual life, 1 Cor. 4:15; Philem. 10; (c) in 2 Pet. 2:12, with reference to the evil men whom the apostle is describing, the RV rightly has “born mere animals” (KJV, “natural brute beasts”); (d) in the sense of gendering strife, 2 Tim. 2:23. See A, No. 3, BRING, CONCEIVE, DELIVER, GENDER, SPRING.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 13)

that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘YOU ARE MY SON; TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU.’

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Psalm 2)

I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son,Today I have begotten You

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 1)

For to which of the angels did He ever say,“YOU ARE MY SON,TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”? And again,“I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 5)

So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, “YOU ARE MY SON,TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU

It is used of the act of God in the birth of Christ, Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5, quoted from Psalm 2:7, none of which indicate that Christ became the Son of God at His birth.

The Son was always the Son as a person in the God-head. Father / Son / Holy Spirit. God gives of Himself manifested in the Son born of a virgin woman having been overshadowed by the Holy Spirit, crucified on a cross, buried, raised up by the Father = trinity 3 persons, 1 God ~

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 2)

1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 6635. צָבָא

6635. צָבָא tsâbâʾ, tsaw-baw´; or (fem.)

צְבָאָה tsebâʾâh, tseb-aw-aw´; from 6633; a mass of persons (or fig. things), espec. reg. organized for war (an army); by impl. a campaign, lit. or fig (spec. hardship, worship):—appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war (-fare).

Strong’s Hebrew #6635

Strong’s Hebrew #4264

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 9)

6 “You alone are the LORD. You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them. You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 2

13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 4756. στρατία

4756. στρατία stratia, strat-ee´-ah; fem. of a der. of στρατός stratŏs (an army; from the base of 4766, as encamped); camp-likeness, i.e. an army, i.e. (fig.) the angels, the celestial luminaries:—host.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update Chapter 8

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from athe love of God, which is bin Christ Jesus our Lord.

Angels are created beings:

Genesis 2:1 Host = H-6635

Genesis 32:2 host = H-4264

Nehemiah 9:6 = H-6635 (x2)

Luke 2:13 = G-4756

Host is equivalent to angels, & army, yet the host of Genesis 2:1 could be a reference to Sun, Moon, & Stars, however, it also reads, “and the host...” in addition to the heavens and the earth; heavens implying the Sun, Moon, & the Stars ~

The Angel in Luke is joined by a multitude of the heavenly host.

Angels are apart of the creation ~

The Son of God is a part of God ~

Much confusion is made with regard to the nature of Christ, i.e., referred to as the Archangel Michael:

Daniel 10:13 - Michael is one of the chief princes

Daniel 10:21 - Michael, your prince

Daniel 12:1 - Michael, who stands guard over the sons of “your people” (Israel)

Jude 1:9 - Michael does not rebuke Satan, but invokes the LORD rebuke you

Revelation 12:7-8 - Michael and his angels waging war in heaven against the Dragon and his angels

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 3)

16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 3)

He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 1)

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 1)

18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 4)

9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 11)

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;

Hebrews 11: 17 helps us to understand the meaning of the words “only begotten” in this way. Isaac was Abraham’s “only begotten” though Abraham was also the father of Ishmael in this manner; Isaac was the son of promise through Sarah.

We are adopted through the work of Christ on the cross and referred to as sons of God, but Jesus is the only begotten of God ~

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (Chapter 3)

sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence

Why do we need to know?

“Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.” (1 Peter 3:13-16)

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible 1080. γεννάω

1080. γεννάω gĕnnaō, ghen-nah´-o; from a var. of 1085; to procreate (prop. of the father, but by extens. of the mother); fig. to regenerate:—bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Beget, Bear (of Begetting), Born

1. gennao (γεννάω, 1080), “to beget,” in the passive voice, “to be born,” is chiefly used of men “begetting” children, Matt. 1:2–16; more rarely of women “begetting” children, Luke 1:13, 57, “brought forth” (for “delivered,” in this v., see No. 4); 23:29; John 16:21, “is delivered of,” and of the child, “is born” (for “is in travail” see No. 4). In Gal. 4:24, it is used allegorically, to contrast Jews under bondage to the Law, and spiritual Israel, KJV, “gendereth,” RV, “bearing children,” to contrast the natural birth of Ishmael and the supernatural birth of Isaac. In Matt. 1:20 it is used of conception, “that which is conceived in her.” It is used of the act of God in the birth of Christ, Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5, quoted from Psalm 2:7, none of which indicate that Christ became the Son of God at His birth.

It is used metaphorically (a) in the writings of the apostle John, of the gracious act of God in conferring upon those who believe the nature and disposition of “children,” imparting to them spiritual life, John 3:3, 5, 7; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18; (b) of one who by means of preaching the gospel becomes the human instrument in the impartation of spiritual life, 1 Cor. 4:15; Philem. 10; (c) in 2 Pet. 2:12, with reference to the evil men whom the apostle is describing, the RV rightly has “born mere animals” (KJV, “natural brute beasts”); (d) in the sense of gendering strife, 2 Tim. 2:23. See A, No. 3, BRING, CONCEIVE, DELIVER, GENDER, SPRING.

1080. γεννάω gĕnnaō, ghen-nah´-o; from a var. of 1085; to procreate (prop. of the father, but by extens. of the mother); fig. to regenerate:—bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring1

1 James Strong, A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009), 20.

1. gennao (γεννάω, 1080), “to beget,” in the passive voice, “to be born,” is chiefly used of men “begetting” children, Matt. 1:2–16; more rarely of women “begetting” children, Luke 1:13, 57, “brought forth” (for “delivered,” in this v., see No. 4); 23:29; John 16:21, “is delivered of,” and of the child, “is born” (for “is in travail” see No. 4). In Gal. 4:24, it is used allegorically, to contrast Jews under bondage to the Law, and spiritual Israel, kjv, “gendereth,” rv, “bearing children,” to contrast the natural birth of Ishmael and the supernatural birth of Isaac. In Matt. 1:20 it is used of conception, “that which is conceived in her.” It is used of the act of God in the birth of Christ, Acts 13:33; Heb. 1:5; 5:5, quoted from Psalm 2:7, none of which indicate that Christ became the Son of God at His birth.

It is used metaphorically (a) in the writings of the apostle John, of the gracious act of God in conferring upon those who believe the nature and disposition of “children,” imparting to them spiritual life, John 3:3, 5, 7; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18; (b) of one who by means of preaching the gospel becomes the human instrument in the impartation of spiritual life, 1 Cor. 4:15; Philem. 10; (c) in 2 Pet. 2:12, with reference to the evil men whom the apostle is describing, the rv rightly has “born mere animals” (kjv, “natural brute beasts”); (d) in the sense of gendering strife, 2 Tim. 2:23. See A, No. 3, bring, conceive, deliver, gender, spring. 1

1 W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 57.