Article: “Only begotten” or “One and only” in John 3:16 et al.? by KJV Today
From Textus Receptus
(New page: “Only begotten” or “One and only” in John 3:16 et al.? “Μονογενη (monogene)” is a compound word of “mono” (only) and “gene” (begotten). The literal translatio...) |
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“Μονογενη (monogene)” is a compound word of “mono” (only) and “gene” (begotten). The literal translation is “only begotten.” This definition fits the context. Jesus is not simply God’s “one and only” son. Adam is God’s son ([[Luke 3:38]]). God has many angelic sons ([[Genesis 6:2]]). But whereas these other sons were “created” sons, Jesus is God’s only "begotten" son. This distinction, ripe with theological significance, is made clear only by translating μονογενη as “only begotten.” Scholars who argue that μονογενη just means "unique" are semantically pulling the cart ahead of the horse. Jesus is "unique" because he is God's only begotten son. | “Μονογενη (monogene)” is a compound word of “mono” (only) and “gene” (begotten). The literal translation is “only begotten.” This definition fits the context. Jesus is not simply God’s “one and only” son. Adam is God’s son ([[Luke 3:38]]). God has many angelic sons ([[Genesis 6:2]]). But whereas these other sons were “created” sons, Jesus is God’s only "begotten" son. This distinction, ripe with theological significance, is made clear only by translating μονογενη as “only begotten.” Scholars who argue that μονογενη just means "unique" are semantically pulling the cart ahead of the horse. Jesus is "unique" because he is God's only begotten son. | ||
Revision as of 23:37, 23 November 2012
“Μονογενη (monogene)” is a compound word of “mono” (only) and “gene” (begotten). The literal translation is “only begotten.” This definition fits the context. Jesus is not simply God’s “one and only” son. Adam is God’s son (Luke 3:38). God has many angelic sons (Genesis 6:2). But whereas these other sons were “created” sons, Jesus is God’s only "begotten" son. This distinction, ripe with theological significance, is made clear only by translating μονογενη as “only begotten.” Scholars who argue that μονογενη just means "unique" are semantically pulling the cart ahead of the horse. Jesus is "unique" because he is God's only begotten son.
Modern lexicologists who believe that μονογενη merely means “one and only” apparently only consider the way in which Greek writers used the word in reference to the only child of a human parent. Since human parents cannot “create” a child in the sense that God did with Adam or the angels, an “only begotten” child of a human parent would always be the “one and only” child. However, this is not the case with God. So we should not define μονογενη as “one and only” when it is used in reference to the only begotten son of God, Jesus Christ. What may be redundant and obvious in regards to a human son (that it was begotten) is not redundant in regards to the Son of God because the greatest mystery is that God has a son who is not created but eternally begotten.
Furthermore, critics argue that μονογενη should be translated “one and only” since the word is used in Hebrews 11:17 to describe Isaac, who supposedly was not the “only begotten” son of Abraham (Abraham also begat Ishmael). However, this argument is flawed in that by these critics’ own logic one cannot translate μονογενη even as “one and only” or “only” since Isaac was not Abraham’s only son. To make sense of why “only begotten” is used in Hebrews 11:17 to refer to Isaac (even though Ishmael was also begotten by Abraham) we must understand that Hebrews 11:17 makes a point about possession rather than genealogy. Abraham’s faith is commended in Hebrews 11:17 because he offered up to God the only son whom he possessed at the time - Isaac. In Genesis 22:2, God refers to Isaac as Abraham’s “only begotten son” because from Genesis 21 onward Ishmael was no longer under Abraham’s custody. Since Abraham no longer had custody over Ishmael, Isaac was indeed his “only begotten son.”
