Definition and Meaning of the Word Gospel in Scripture

The Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion), from which the English "gospel" is derived, literally means "good message" or "good news" ^{[1, 10]}. This term is a translation of the Anglo-Saxon "god spell," meaning "word of God," or "good spell" ^{[1, 3]}. In its primary biblical sense, it refers to the welcome intelligence of salvation for humanity as proclaimed by Jesus Christ and his followers ^[1].

The concept of the gospel is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it was foretold by prophets such as Isaiah (Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3) ^[2]. The apostle Paul states that God "promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures" ^[8]. John Gill notes that the gospel was preached even under the Old Testament dispensation, though "more fully, and with more clearness, power, and success" in the New Testament era ^{[2, 13]}.

In the New Testament, εὐαγγέλιον signifies the good tidings of the kingdom of God and salvation through Christ ^[12]. It is described as the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16) and brings life and immortality to light through Jesus Christ (2 Tim 1:10) ^[2]. The gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith ^[9]. It is a glorious and everlasting message ^[2].

The term "gospel" also came to be applied transitively to the four historical accounts of Jesus' life and teachings written by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John ^{[1, 3]}. These authors are therefore called "Evangelists," meaning "publishers of glad tidings" ^{[1, 5, 6]}. An evangelist's work is primarily the proclamation of these glad tidings to those who have not yet heard them ^{[6, 7]}.

The gospel is a message of comfort for the distressed, life for the dead, and joy for mourners ^[14]. It is the central fact of Christian preaching, announcing that the Savior has come into the world ^{[4, 5]}. This message is intended for all people, bringing "good tidings of great joy" ^[2]. The gospel is described as bearing fruit and growing throughout the world ^[11].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospel — A word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning "God's spell", i.e., word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, i.e., "good message." It denotes (1) "the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers. (2.) It was afterwards transitively applied to each of the four histories of our Lord's life, published by those who are therefore called Evangelists', writers of the history of the gospel (the evangelion). (3.) The term is often used to express collecti”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Gospel, The — Is good tidings of great joy for all people -- Lu 2:10,11,31,32. Foretold -- Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1-3; Mr 1:15. Preached under the old testament -- Heb 4:2. Exhibits the grace of God -- Ac 14:3; 20:32. The knowledge of the glory of God is by -- 2Co 4:4,6. Life and immortality are brought to light by Jesus through -- 2Ti 1:10. Is the power of God to salvation -- Ro 1:16; 1Co 1:18; 1Th 1:5. Is glorious -- 2Co 4:4. Is everlasting -- 1Pe 1:25; Re 14:6. Preached by Christ -- Mt 4:23; Mr 1:14. Ministers have a stewardship to preach -- 1Co 9:17. Preached before”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The name Gospel (from god and spell, Ang. Sax. good message or news, which is a translation of the Greek euaggelion) is applied to the four inspired histories of the life and teaching of Christ contained in the New Testament, of which separate accounts are given in their place. They were all composed during the latter half of the first century: those of St. Matthew and St. Mark some years before the destruction of Jerusalem; that of St. Luke probably about A.D. 64; and that of St. John towards the close of the century. Before the end of the second century, t”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Saviour — One who saves from any form or degree of evil. In its highest sense the word indicates the relation sustained by our Lord to his redeemed ones, he is their Saviour. The great message of the gospel is about salvation and the Saviour. It is the "gospel of salvation." Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ secures to the sinner a personal interest in the work of redemption. Salvation is redemption made effectual to the individual by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Gospels — The central fact of Christian preaching was the intelligence that the Saviour had come into the world (Matt. 4:23; Rom. 10:15); and the first Christian preachers who called their account of the person and mission of Christ by the term evangelion_ (= good message) were called _evangelistai (= evangelists) (Eph. 4:11; Acts 21:8). There are four historical accounts of the person and work of Christ: "the first by Matthew, announcing the Redeemer as the promised King of the kingdom of God; the second by Mark, declaring him a prophet, mighty in deed and word'; th”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Evangelist — (publisher of glad tidings). In the New Testament the "evangelists" appear on the one hand after the "apostles" and "prophets;" on the other before the "pastors" and "teachers." They probably stood between the two. (Acts 21:8; Ephesians 4:11) The work of the evangelist is the proclamation of the glad tidings to those who have not known them, rather than the instruction and pastoral care of those who have believed and been baptized. It follows also that the name denotes a work rather than an order . Its use is nearly like our word missionary. The evangelis”
STEPBible TBESG “[G2099] G2099 = (G2099) — εὐαγγελιστής, -οῦ, ὁ an evangelist; __(a) in NT, a preacher of the gospel: <ref='Act.21.8'>Act.21:8</ref>, <ref='Eph.4.11'>Eph.4:11</ref>, <ref='2Ti.4.5'>2Ti.4:5</ref>; __(b) later, a writer of a gospel (eccl.).† (AS)”
Romans “Romans 1:2 (BSB) — the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,”
Romans “Romans 1:17 (BSB) — For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.””
Strong's Greek Dictionary “[G2098] εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion) — Definition: a good message, i.e. the gospel | Derivation: from the same as G2097 (εὐαγγελίζω); | KJV usage: gospel”
Colossians “Colossians 1:6 (BSB) — that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood the grace of God.”
STEPBible TBESG “[G2098] G2098 = (G2098) — εὐαγγέλιον, -ου, τό [in LXX for בְּשׂוֹרָה, <ref='2Ki.4.10; 18.22; 18.25'>2Ki.4:10 18:22 18:25</ref> * ;] __1. in cl., __(a) a reward for good tidings (Hom.; pl., LXX, <ref='2Sa.4.10'>2Ki.4:10</ref>); __(b) in pl., εὐ. θύειν, to make a thank-offering for good tidings (Xen., al.). __2. Later (Luc., Plut., al.), good tidings, good news; in NT of the good tidings of the kingdom of God and of salvation through Christ, the gospel: <ref='Mrk.1.15'>Mrk.1:15</ref>, <ref='Act.15.7'>Act.15:7</ref>, <ref='Rom.1.16'>Rom.1:16</ref>, ”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 4:2: For unto us was the Gospel preached,.... The Gospel is the good news and glad tidings of salvation by Christ; and this may be said to be preached, when men preach not themselves, nor read lectures of morality, nor mix law and Gospel together, nor make justification and salvation to be by works, nor set persons to make their peace with God, or get an interest in Christ; but when they preach Christ and salvation alone by him; and so it was preached to the Hebrews, and that more fully, and with more clearness, power, and success than formerly; and which is a privilege an”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 3, section 8.7: These words, I have said, ought not to be limited to the captivity in Babylon; for they have a very extensive meaning, and include the doctrine of the gospel, in which chiefly lies the power of “comforting.” To the gospel it belongs to comfort those who are distressed and cast down, to quicken those who are slain and actually dead, to cheer the mourners, and, in short, to bring all joy and gladness; and this is also the reason why it is called “the Gospel,” that is, good news, 106 106 Evangile, c’est a dire Bonne nouvelle . Nor did it begin at”

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