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Q&A on the Godhead: Difference between revisions
→What is the meaning of "begotten"?
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The word "begotten" used in these passages is the Greek word "μονογενής" (monogenés) which means ''pertaining to what is unique in the sense of being the only one of the same kind or class.'' For example, in Hebrews 11:17 it states "''he who had received the promises presented his only son''" or "''… was ready to offer his only son"''. Abraham, of course, did have another son, Ishmael, and later sons by Keturah, but Isaac was a unique son in that he was a son born as the result of certain promises made by God. Accordingly, he could be called a μονογενής son, since he was the only one of his kind.<ref>Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, vol. 1, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains, electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., 590 (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996).</ref> | The word "begotten" used in these passages is the Greek word "μονογενής" (monogenés) which means ''pertaining to what is unique in the sense of being the only one of the same kind or class.'' For example, in Hebrews 11:17 it states "''he who had received the promises presented his only son''" or "''… was ready to offer his only son"''. Abraham, of course, did have another son, Ishmael, and later sons by Keturah, but Isaac was a unique son in that he was a son born as the result of certain promises made by God. Accordingly, he could be called a μονογενής son, since he was the only one of his kind.<ref>Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, vol. 1, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains, electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., 590 (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996).</ref> | ||
This is a clear example of the current inadequacy of some passages in the KJV. The above passages are translated completely differently in more modern translations: | This is a clear example of the current inadequacy of some passages in the KJV. The above passages are translated completely differently in more modern translations. In fact, in virtually all of the newer translations, the term "begotten" is rarely, if ever used in these passages: | ||
John 1:14 | |||
:''...we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Jn 1:14.</ref> | |||
:''We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible, Jn 1:14 (Biblical Studies Press, 2006). </ref><br> | :''We saw his glory—the glory of the one and only, full of grace and truth, who came from the Father.<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible, Jn 1:14 (Biblical Studies Press, 2006). </ref><br> | ||
John 1:18 | |||
:''No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Jn 1:18.<ref> | |||
:''No one has ever seen God. The unique God, who is close to the Father’s side, has revealed him.<ref>International Standard Version, Jn 1:18 (Yorba Linda, CA: ISV Foundation, 2011). </ref><br> | :''No one has ever seen God. The unique God, who is close to the Father’s side, has revealed him.<ref>International Standard Version, Jn 1:18 (Yorba Linda, CA: ISV Foundation, 2011). </ref><br> | ||
:'' | John 3:16 | ||
:''For God so loved the world, that he gave his '''only Son''', that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Jn 3:16.</ref> | |||
:'' | :''For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his '''one and only Son''', so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.<ref>Biblical Studies Press, The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2006), Jn 3:16.</ref> | ||
::''has | John 3:18 | ||
:''...but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Jn 3:18.</ref> | |||
:''...but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s unique Son.<ref>International Standard Version, Jn 3:18 (Yorba Linda, CA: ISV Foundation, 2011).</ref> | :''...but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s unique Son.<ref>International Standard Version, Jn 3:18 (Yorba Linda, CA: ISV Foundation, 2011).</ref> | ||