Only Begotten Son? Did I hear it correct?
Question: "What does it mean that Jesus is God's only begotten son?"
Answer: The phrase “only begotten Son” occurs in John 3:16, which reads in the King James Version as, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The phrase "only begotten" translates the Greek word monogenes. This word is variously translated into English as "only," "one and only," and "only begotten."
It's this last phrase ("only begotten" used in the KJV, NASB and the NKJV) that causes problems. False teachers have latched onto this phrase to try to prove their false teaching that Jesus Christ isn't God; i.e., that Jesus isn't equal in essence to God as the Second Person of the Trinity. They see the word "begotten" and say that Jesus is a created being because only someone who had a beginning in time can be "begotten." What this fails to note is that "begotten" is an English translation of a Greek word. As such, we have to look at the original meaning of the Greek word, not transfer English meanings into the text.
So what does monogenes mean? According to the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BAGD, 3rd Edition), monogenes has two primary definitions. The first definition is "pertaining to being the only one of its kind within a specific relationship." This is the meaning attached to its use in Hebrews 11:17 when the writer refers to Isaac as Abraham's "only begotten son." Abraham had more than one son, but Isaac was the only son he had by Sarah and the only son of the covenant.
The second definition is "pertaining to being the only one of its kind or class, unique in kind." This is the meaning that is implied in John 3:16. In fact, John is the only New Testament writer who uses this word in reference to Jesus (see John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9). John was primarily concerned with demonstrating that Jesus was the Son of God (John 20:31), and he uses this word to highlight Jesus as uniquely God's Son—sharing the same divine nature as God—as opposed to believers who are God's sons and daughters through faith.
The bottom line is that terms such as "Father" and "Son," that are descriptive of God and Jesus, are human terms used to help us understand the relationship between the different Persons of the Trinity. If you can understand the relationship between a human father and a human son, then you can understand, in part, the relationship between the First and Second Persons of the Trinity. The analogy breaks down if you try to take it too far and teach, as some Christian cults (such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses), that Jesus was literally "begotten" as in “produced” or “created” by God the Father.
http://www.gotquestions.org/only-begotten-son.html
Thanks to gotquestions for their research on this and the other so many articles that reinforce the belief in christ.
<end of gotquestions.org content>
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I was searching for the meaning "Begotten"
Answer: The phrase “only begotten Son” occurs in John 3:16, which reads in the King James Version as, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." The phrase "only begotten" translates the Greek word monogenes. This word is variously translated into English as "only," "one and only," and "only begotten."
It's this last phrase ("only begotten" used in the KJV, NASB and the NKJV) that causes problems. False teachers have latched onto this phrase to try to prove their false teaching that Jesus Christ isn't God; i.e., that Jesus isn't equal in essence to God as the Second Person of the Trinity. They see the word "begotten" and say that Jesus is a created being because only someone who had a beginning in time can be "begotten." What this fails to note is that "begotten" is an English translation of a Greek word. As such, we have to look at the original meaning of the Greek word, not transfer English meanings into the text.
So what does monogenes mean? According to the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BAGD, 3rd Edition), monogenes has two primary definitions. The first definition is "pertaining to being the only one of its kind within a specific relationship." This is the meaning attached to its use in Hebrews 11:17 when the writer refers to Isaac as Abraham's "only begotten son." Abraham had more than one son, but Isaac was the only son he had by Sarah and the only son of the covenant.
The second definition is "pertaining to being the only one of its kind or class, unique in kind." This is the meaning that is implied in John 3:16. In fact, John is the only New Testament writer who uses this word in reference to Jesus (see John 1:14, 18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9). John was primarily concerned with demonstrating that Jesus was the Son of God (John 20:31), and he uses this word to highlight Jesus as uniquely God's Son—sharing the same divine nature as God—as opposed to believers who are God's sons and daughters through faith.
The bottom line is that terms such as "Father" and "Son," that are descriptive of God and Jesus, are human terms used to help us understand the relationship between the different Persons of the Trinity. If you can understand the relationship between a human father and a human son, then you can understand, in part, the relationship between the First and Second Persons of the Trinity. The analogy breaks down if you try to take it too far and teach, as some Christian cults (such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses), that Jesus was literally "begotten" as in “produced” or “created” by God the Father.
http://www.gotquestions.org/only-begotten-son.html
Thanks to gotquestions for their research on this and the other so many articles that reinforce the belief in christ.
<end of gotquestions.org content>
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I was searching for the meaning "Begotten"
Mirriam-webster gave me this...
Definition of BEGET
transitive verb
1: to procreate as the father : sire
2: to produce especially as an effect or outgrowth
— be·get·ter noun
Examples of BEGET
He died without begetting an heir.
<one change in the natural environment will beget others>
Origin of BEGET
Middle English begeten, alteration of beyeten, from Old English bigietan — more at get
First Known Use: 13th century
Synonyms: effect, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do, draw on, effectuate, engender, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, prompt, result (in), spawn, translate (into), work, yield
Related Words: ingenerate; conduce (to), contribute (to); decide, determine; begin, establish, father, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, set, set up, start; advance, cultivate, develop, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote; enact, render, turn out
Then Thesaurus gave me this...
Example Sentences:
Having begotten a good speller is no small matter to a writer.
God gave his only begotten son to reconcile mankind to himself, and held irony in reserve.
Together, the two hits have begotten more science fiction for this fall than audiences have seen on the networks in years.
be·got·ten or be·got; be·get·ting.
1. (especially of a male parent) to procreate or generate (offspring).
2. to cause; produce as an effect: a belief that power begets power.
Synonyms
1. spawn, sire, breed, father. 2. occasion, engender, effect, generate.
Word Origin & History
beget
O.E. begietan "to get by effort, find, acquire, attain, seize" (class V strong verb, p.t. begeat, pp. begeaton), from be- + get (q.v.). Sense of "to procreate" is from c.1200. Related to O.H.G. pigezzan, Goth. bigitan "to get, obtain."
Now, beget-begotten all relate to 'produce'; certainly not any necessity to have any sexual intercourse to produce. The language according to the creators of the English language indicate that it means "to get". Now why can't God almighty GET the Child he wanted without any physical human intercourse?
Those disputing this actually recommend that God is incapable of "GETTING" or "BEGETTING" a child without intercourse? Do we human being define God's capability? We ought to measure our words then; in anyways the Baby 'Jesus Christ' was carried in the womb, what you may call of it? Its 'begetting' and cannot be attributed to planted, grown, emerged, sprout, jump, arrive, abracadabra, boing, toing... its only Begotten.
In the entire history of universe, God does Beget only one person and that is Jesus Christ; and if you still believe that Begetting means getting a child from sexual relationship. You may have to seriously address your English skills or regret that you be could have been begotten in an English family.
Deliberation on this topic is as baseless and is a reject. I am stunned to see so many viral videos on Youtube from Bible haters profusely swearing over this topic and absolutely ignorant Christians remaining silent. Advice would be is to learn what the Bible says first, get strength in the scriptures and in the Holy ghost before attending these deliberations.
Would also recommend reading the "Son of God" article.
I was looking at the scripture Psalm Chapter 2 Verse 7
I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
Here quite strongly the prophecy declares the arrival of Jesus Christ. David was not begotten of LORD, he was begotten of Jesse, Jesse was his biological father. Jesse was not the LORD GOD. For more information on Jesus in Old Testament, refer article 'Jesus, the Prophet?'
Denials after denials would lead us to the hell's gates. Time to introspect and review our beliefs and scriptures to arrive at any conclusion.
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