Bible Dictionaries
Gospel

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

originally denoted a reward for good tidings; later, the idea of reward dropped, and the word stood for "the good news" itself. The Eng. word "gospel," i.e. "good message," is the equivalent of euangelion (Eng., "evangel"). In the NT it denotes the "good tidings" of the Kingdom of God and of salvation through Christ, to be received by faith, on the basis of His expiatory death, His burial, resurrection, and ascension, e.g., Acts 15:7; 20:24; 1 Peter 4:17 . Apart from those references and those in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, and Revelation 14:6 , the noun is confined to Paul's Epistles. The Apostle uses it of two associated yet distinct things, (a) of the basic facts of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; (b) of the interpretation of these facts, e.g., Romans 2:16; Galatians 1:7,11; 2:2; in (a) the "Gospel" is viewed historically, in (b) doctrinally, with reference to the interpretation of the facts, as is sometimes indicated by the context.

The following phrases describe the subjects or nature or purport of the message; it is the "gospel" of God, Mark 1:14; Romans 1:1; 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2,9; 1 Peter 4:17; God, concerning His Son, Romans 1:1-3; His Son, Romans 1:9; Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Mark 1:1; our Lord Jesus, 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Christ, Romans 15:19 , etc.; the glory of Christ, 2 Corinthians 4:4; the grace of God, Acts 20:24; the glory of the blessed God, 1 Timothy 1:11; your salvation, Ephesians 1:13; peace, Ephesians 6:15 . Cp. also "the gospel of the Kingdom," Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; "an eternal gospel," Revelation 14:6 .

In Galatians 2:14 , "the truth of the gospel" denotes, not the true "gospel," but the true teaching of it, in contrast to perversions of it.

The following expressions are used in connection with the "Gospel:" (a) with regard to its testimony; (1) kerusso, "to preach it as a herald," e.g., Matthew 4:23; Galatians 2:2 (see PREACH); (2) laleo, "to speak," 1 Thessalonians 2:2; (3) diamarturomai, "to testify (thoroughly)," Acts 20:24; (4) euangelizo, "to preach," e.g., 1 Corinthians 15:1; 2 Corinthians 11:7; Galatians 1:11 (see B, No. 1 below); (5) katangello, "to proclaim," 1 Corinthians 9:14; (6) douleuo eis, "to serve unto" ("in furtherance of"), Philippians 2:22; (7) sunathleo en, "to labor with in," Philippians 4:3; (8) hierourgeo, "to minister," Romans 15:16; (8) pleroo, "to preach fully," Romans 15:19; (10) sunkakopatheo, "to suffer hardship with," 2 Timothy 1:8; (b) with regard to its reception or otherwise: (1) dechomai, "to receive," 2 Corinthians 11:4; hupakouo, "to hearken to, or obey," Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; pisteuo en, "to believe in," Mark 1:15; metastrepho, "to pervert," Galatians 1:7 .

Note: In connection with (a), the Apostle's statement in 1 Corinthians 9:23 is noticeable, "I do all things for the Gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof," RV, for the incorrect AV, "that I might be partaker thereof with you."

"to bring or announce glad tidings" (Eng., "evangelize"), is used (a) in the Active Voice in Revelation 10:7 ("declared") and Revelation 14:6 ("to proclaim," RV, AV, "to preach"); (b) in the Passive Voice, of matters to be proclaimed as "glad tidings," Luke 16:16; Galatians 1:11; 1 Peter 1:25; of persons to whom the proclamation is made, Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:22; Hebrews 4:2,6; 1 Peter 4:6; (c) in the Middle Voice, especially of the message of salvation, with a personal object, either of the person preached, e.g., Acts 5:42; 11:20; Galatians 1:16 , or, with a preposition, of the persons evangelized, e.g., Acts 13:32 , "declare glad tidings;" Romans 1:15; Galatians 1:8; with an impersonal object, e.g., "the word," Acts 8:4; "good tidings," Acts 8:12; "the word of the Lord," Acts 15:35; "the gospel," 1 Corinthians 15:1; 2 Corinthians 11:7; "the faith," Galatians 1:23; "peace," Ephesians 2:17; "the unsearchable riches of Christ, Ephesians 3:8 . See PREACH , SHEW , TIDINGS.

"to announce glad tidings beforehand," is used in Galatians 3:8 .

Note: For other verbs see above.