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The Gospel as Good News in Scripture and Tradition

The term "gospel" originates from the Anglo-Saxon "God's spell," meaning "word of God," or more commonly, "good spell," signifying "good news" [2, 5]. This translates the Greek euangelion, which means "good message" [2, 5]. In its primary biblical sense, the gospel refers to the welcome intelligence of salvation for humanity, as proclaimed by Jesus Christ and his followers [2].

The concept of "good news" is deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. Isaiah foretold the coming of one who would bring good tidings, specifically mentioning "good news" for the afflicted, binding up the brokenhearted, and proclaiming liberty to captives [1, 17]. The Scripture, anticipating that God would justify Gentiles by faith, "preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham," promising that "In you all the nations will be blessed" (Galatians 3:8) [4]. This suggests that the essence of the gospel, God's plan for salvation and blessing, was present even in earlier covenants [9]. John Gill notes that the gospel was preached to the Hebrews, though more fully and clearly in the New Testament era [10].

In the New Testament, the gospel is explicitly identified with Jesus Christ. Mark's Gospel begins with the declaration, "The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1) [6]. Jesus himself preached the good news of the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:23, Mark 1:14) [1, 11]. This kingdom was Jesus’ central concern, and God’s sovereign reign was established through his words and deeds [11]. The gospel is described as "good tidings of great joy for all people" (Luke 2:10-11, 31-32) [1].

The content of this good news encompasses several key aspects:

The apostles were commissioned to preach this gospel. Paul stated that he had "fully preached the Good News of Christ" from Jerusalem to Illyricum (Romans 15:19) [3]. Ministers are understood to have a stewardship to preach the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:17) [1].

Beyond its primary meaning as the message of salvation, the term "gospel" also came to be applied transitively to the four historical accounts of Jesus' life and teachings written by the Evangelists [2, 5]. These four books—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are referred to as "the Gospels" [5]. They were composed in the latter half of the first century, with Matthew and Mark written before the destruction of Jerusalem, Luke around A.D. 64, and John towards the end of the century [5]. By the end of the second century, these four accounts were recognized as authoritative [5]. Matthew Henry describes the New Testament as "the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God," emphasizing its divine origin and its focus on Christ as the anointed Savior [16].

Theological traditions have further elaborated on the nature and implications of the gospel. John Calvin, in his commentary on Isaiah, emphasized that the gospel's power lies in its ability to comfort the distressed, quicken the dead, and bring joy and gladness, which is why it is called "good news" [13]. He argued that the prophetic words of Isaiah regarding comfort should not be limited to the Babylonian captivity but have a broader, more extensive meaning that includes the doctrine of the gospel [13].

The gospel is not merely a moral code or a set of rules; it is the "good word of God" [12]. John Gill, commenting on Hebrews 6:4, suggests that this "good word" refers either to the Scriptures in general, which are a revelation of good things, or more specifically to the Gospel, which makes known things that are true, pleasant, and profitable [12]. The gospel is distinct from preaching oneself or mixing law and gospel, but rather focuses on Christ and salvation through him alone [10].

The gospel is also understood as a "first principle" of the Christian faith, alongside concepts like judgment [8]. The covenant established through the gospel is described as "more excellent" than any earthly ministry, enacted as a law and resting upon the essence of the law [15]. This highlights the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan across the Old and New Testaments, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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”
  3. Romans “in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of God’s Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and around as far as to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Good News of Christ; -- Romans 15:19”
  4. Galatians “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the Good News beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you all the nations will be blessed.” -- Galatians 3:8”
  5. 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”
  6. Mark “The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. -- Mark 1:1”
  7. Ephesians “Ephesians 3:6 (BBE) — Which is that the Gentiles have a part in the heritage, and in the same body, and in the same hope in Christ through the good news,”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Judgment, The — Predicted in the Old Testament -- 1Ch 16:33; Ps 9:7; 96:13; Ec 3:17. A first principle of the gospel -- Heb 6:2. A day appointed for -- Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16. Time of, unknown to us -- Mr 13:32. Called the Day of wrath. -- Ro 2:5; Re 6:17. Revelation of the righteous judgment of God. -- Ro 2:5. Day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. -- 2Pe 3:7. Day of destruction. -- Job 21:30. Judgment of the great day. -- Jude 1:6. Shall be administered by Christ -- Joh 5:22,27; Ac 10:42; Ro 14:10; 2Co 5:10. Saints shall sit with Christ in -- 1Co 6:2; Re 20:4. Sh”
  9. Romans “Romans 1:2 (BSB) — the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,”
  10. 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”
  11. Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 4:43: 4:43 The Greek verb translated preach the Good News corresponds to the noun often translated “gospel” (“Good News”; see study note on 2:9-10; see also 1:19; 7:22; Matt 4:23; 24:14; Mark 1:1, 15; 16:15; Acts 8:4, 12; Rom 1:1-6, 15-17; 10:15-17; Gal 1:6-9; Eph 2:14-18; 3:6-7). • The Kingdom of God was Jesus’ central concern (see Mark 1:15), and God’s sovereign reign was established through Jesus’ words and deeds.”
  12. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 6:4: And have tasted the good word of God,.... Not the Lord Jesus Christ, the essential Word of God, who seems to be intended before by the heavenly gift; but rather, either the Scriptures of truth in general, which are the word of God, endited by him, and contain his mind and will; which he makes use of for conviction, conversion, instruction, and comfort; and which are preserved by him: and these are a good word; they come from him who is good; they are a revelation of good things; they make known things true, pleasant, and profitable: or else the Gospel in particular, o”
  13. 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”
  14. Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 22:10: So these servants went out into the highways,.... Turned from the Jews, and went among the Gentiles, preaching the Gospel to them; particularly the Apostle Paul, with Barnabas, and others: and gathered together all, as many as they found, both good and bad: the Persic version reads it, "known or unknown". The Gospel ministry is the means of gathering souls to Christ, and to attend his ordinances, and into his churches; and of these that are gathered by it into churches, and to an attendance on outward ordinances, some are good and some bad, as the fishes gathered ”
  15. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 8:6: now--not time; but "as it is." more excellent ministry--than any earthly ministry. by how much--in proportion as. mediator--coming between us and God, to carry into effect God's covenant with us. "The messenger (angel) of the covenant." which--Greek, "one which" [ALFORD]: inasmuch as being one which. established--Greek, "enacted as a law." So Rom 3:27, "law of faith"; and Rom 8:2; Rom 9:31, apply "law" to the Gospel covenant. It is implied hereby, the Gospel is founded on the law, in the spirit and essence of the latter. upon--resting upon.”
  16. Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 1:1: We may observe here, I. What the New Testament is - the divine testament, to which we adhere above all that is human; the new testament, which we advance above that which was old. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God, Mar 1:1. 1. It is gospel; it is God's word, and is faithful and true; see Rev 19:9; Rev 21:5; Rev 22:6. It is a good word, and well worthy of all acceptation; it brings us glad tidings. 2. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the anointed Saviour, the Messiah promised and expected. The foregoing gospel began with the generation of Jesus Christ -”
  17. Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 52:7: How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings,.... Not of the messenger that brought the news of Cyrus's proclamation of liberty to the Jews; rather of John the Baptist, the forerunner of our Lord; best of Christ himself, the messenger of the covenant, who was anointed to preach glad tidings to the meek, and by whom grace, peace, life, and salvation came; and also of the apostles of Christ, for to Gospel times are these words applied, and to more persons than one, Rom 10:15, who were not only seen "upon the mountains" of the land of I”
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