The term "only-begotten" is a translation of the Greek word "μονογενής" (monogenēs), which appears in several key passages of the New Testament. This term is primarily used to describe the unique relationship between Jesus Christ and God the Father, emphasizing the singular and unparalleled nature of Jesus as the Son of God.

Biblical Usage:

1. John 1:14 · "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Here, "only-begotten" underscores the divine glory and unique sonship of Jesus, who is distinct from all other beings.

2. John 3:16 · "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse highlights the sacrificial love of God in giving His "only-begotten" Son for the salvation of humanity, emphasizing the exclusivity and preciousness of Jesus' sonship.

3. John 3:18 · "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." The term here reinforces the necessity of faith in Jesus as the unique Son of God for salvation.

4. 1 John 4:9 · "This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him." The use of "only-begotten" in this context highlights the manifestation of God's love through the sending of His unique Son.

Theological Significance:

The term "only-begotten" is significant in Christology, the study of the nature and work of Christ. It affirms the eternal generation of the Son, a doctrine that maintains that the Son is eternally begotten of the Father, not created or made. This distinguishes Jesus from all created beings and affirms His co-eternity and co-equality with the Father.

In the Nicene Creed, the phrase "begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father" reflects this understanding, countering early heresies that denied the full divinity of Christ. The term "only-begotten" thus serves to protect the doctrine of the Trinity, affirming that Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Comparison with Other Terms:

While "only-begotten" emphasizes the unique and singular nature of Jesus' sonship, it is distinct from terms like "firstborn" (Greek: πρωτότοκος, prōtotokos), which can refer to preeminence in rank or status rather than chronological birth order. "Only-begotten" is used exclusively in reference to Jesus' unique relationship with the Father, whereas "firstborn" can be applied more broadly, as seen in Colossians 1:15, where Christ is described as the "firstborn over all creation."

Conclusion:

The term "only-begotten" is a profound expression of the unique and eternal relationship between Jesus Christ and God the Father. It underscores the singularity of Jesus' divine sonship and His role in the salvation of humanity, serving as a cornerstone for understanding the nature of Christ within the framework of orthodox Christian theology.3439. monogenes -- only begotten
... only begotten. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: monogenes Phonetic Spelling:
(mon-og-en-ace') Short Definition: only, only-begotten, unique Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3439.htm - 7k

How the Only-Begotten Son of God is Called First-Born.
... Book IV. Chapter VIII."How the Only-begotten Son of God is called
first-born. He who is first begotten is called first-born [2281 ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter viii how the only-begotten son.htm

On the Words, the Only-Begotten Son of God, Begotten of the Father ...
... Lecture XI. On the Words, the Only-Begotten Son of God, Begotten of the Father Very
God Before All Ages, by Whom All Things Were Made. Hebrews i.1 ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xi on the words.htm

Why is Christ Called the "Only Begotten Son" of God, Since we are ...
... Lord's Day 13 Question 33 Why is Christ called the "only begotten Son" of
God, since we are also the children of God? Why is Christ ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 33 why is christ.htm

Proofs from the Apostolic Writings, that Jesus Christ was one and ...
... Against Heresies: Book III Chapter XVI."Proofs from the apostolic writings, that
Jesus Christ was one and the same, the only begotten Son of God, perfect God ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi proofs from the apostolic.htm

Once More He Challenges Him to the Profession of the Creed of ...
... believe," the Creed says, "in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things
visible and invisible; and in the Lord Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, the ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter vi once more he.htm

The Spokesman of God.
... through. Listen to him further: The only-begotten God who is in the bosom
of the Father"He has always been the spokesman of God. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the spokesman of god.htm

God's Spokesman.
... All that he has been saying he now sums up in these tremendous words, "God"no one
ever yet has seen; the only begotten God,[7] in the bosom of the Father ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/gods spokesman.htm

And in the Holy Ghost. What Has Been Delivered Above Somewhat at ...
... For as one Father is mentioned, and there is no other Father, and one only-begotten
Son is mentioned, and there is no other only-begotten Son, so also there is ...
/.../35 and in the holy.htm

What the Difference is Between Christ and the Saints.
... For all who believe in God are sons of God by adoption: but the only begotten alone
is Son by nature: who was begotten of His Father, not of any material ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter iv what the difference.htm

He Bemoans the Unhappy Lot of Constantinople, Owing to the ...
... And because, as the Lord our God Thine Only Begotten Son Himself taught us, Thou
hast so loved this world as to send Thine Only Begotten Son to save the world ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xxxi he bemoans the.htm

Only-begotten (5 Occurrences)
Only-begotten. Only, Only-begotten. Ono . Multi-Version Concordance
Only-begotten (5 Occurrences). John 1:14 And the ...
/o/only-begotten.htm - 7k

Only (3813 Occurrences)
... 5. (a.) So and no otherwise; no other than; exclusively; solely; wholly. 6.
(a.) Singly; without more; as, only-begotten. ...ONLYBEGOTTEN. ...
/o/only.htm - 10k

Begotten (77 Occurrences)
... the time of begetting. T. Rees. ONLYBEGOTTEN. on'-li be-got ... his onlybegotten"
(Hebrews 11:17). In all other places in the New Testament ...
/b/begotten.htm - 33k

Believeth (42 Occurrences)
... John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his onlybegotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. ...
/b/believeth.htm - 17k

Believing (84 Occurrences)
... John 3:16 for God did so love the world, that His Son -- the onlybegotten -- He
gave, that every one who is believing in him may not perish, but may have life ...
/b/believing.htm - 30k

Creed
... And in Jesus Christ His only (begotten) Son our Lord, who was born of the Holy Ghost
and the Virgin Mary; crucified under Pontius Pilate, and buried; the third ...
/c/creed.htm - 43k

Apostles'
... And in Jesus Christ His only (begotten) Son our Lord, who was born of the Holy Ghost
and the Virgin Mary; crucified under Pontius Pilate, and buried; the third ...
/a/apostles'.htm - 20k

Ono (5 Occurrences)

/o/ono.htm - 9k

Johannine
... The Divine love is manifested in the magnitude of its gift-"his Son, his onlybegotten"
(elsewhere the title is only "the Son" or "his Son" or "the Son of God ...
/j/johannine.htm - 38k

Anthropology
... was said of the Son of God absolutely, "He is the express image (character) of God,"
is applied to man relatively the created son is not the only-begotten Son. ...
/a/anthropology.htm - 38k

What does it mean that Jesus is God's only begotten son? | GotQuestions.org

What does John 3:16 mean? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different names and titles of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org

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