📖 Biblical Definition
Euangelion (Greek εὐαγγέλιον) — translated "gospel" in our New Testaments — literally means "good news." In Greco-Roman imperial usage, the word announced tidings of military victory or the accession of a new emperor; an inscription at Priene calls the birth of Augustus "good news". The New Testament seizes the political word and turns it on the empire: the true euangelion is the announcement of Christ’s saving accomplishment — His incarnation, death, resurrection, and reign as the true King of kings. "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16). The word is itself a claim of rival sovereignty. Caesar is not Lord; Christ is.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Greek word for "good news" — gospel.
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The Greek word for 'gospel' — literally good announcement; in imperial usage it referred to tidings of military victory or royal accession; in the New Testament it became the technical term for the announcement of Christ's saving accomplishment for sinners.
📖 Key Scripture
Mark 1:1 — "The beginning of the gospel (euangelion) of Jesus Christ, the Son of God."
Romans 1:16 — "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 — "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you... how that Christ died for our sins... and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Used so loosely that everything from social activism to therapeutic moralism gets called 'gospel.'
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Euangelion is announcement, not advice. It is news that something has happened, not instruction in what we must do. The good news is what Christ has accomplished. Whenever the gospel becomes a to-do list, the euangelion has been lost.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek eu- + angelia — good announcement.
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['Greek', 'G2098', 'euangelion', 'gospel, good news']
['Greek', 'G2097', 'euangelizō', 'to announce good news']
Usage
"Preach euangelion: news, not advice."
"What has been done, not what must be done."