📖 Biblical Definition
"Only begotten" is the KJV’s translation of the Greek monogenēs, used uniquely of Christ in John’s writings: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14; cf. 1:18; 3:16, 18; 1 John 4:9). Some modern translations render "one and only" or "unique"; the older eternal-generation theology preserves "only begotten" to mark Christ’s distinct, eternal relationship to the Father. He is not made like creatures; He is begotten — eternally generated, of one substance with the Father, true God of true God (Nicene Creed). The doctrine guards His full deity and His personal distinction from the Father.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Greek monogenēs; Christ's unique Father-Son relation, distinct from adopted sonship.
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Greek monogenēs, used uniquely of Christ in John 1:14 ("the glory as of the only begotten of the Father"), 1:18 ("the only begotten Son"), 3:16 ("his only begotten Son"), 3:18 ("the only begotten Son of God"), and 1 John 4:9 ("his only begotten Son"). Translation debate: monogenēs = mono (only) + genos (kind / family / generation). Some translations render "one and only" or "unique"; older eternal-generation theology preserves "only begotten" because the term marks Christ's unique eternal-generation from the Father. The Nicene Creed insists: "begotten, not made" — meaning Christ's eternal generation by the Father is not creation. The term distinguishes Christ's unique sonship from believers' adopted sonship; we become sons by adoption (huiothesia), Christ is Son by eternal nature.
📖 Key Scripture
John 1:14 — "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
John 3:16 — "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
1 John 4:9 — "In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern translations dropping "only begotten" sometimes obscure the eternal-generation doctrine; Nicene precision is at stake.
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Modern translations like the NIV's "one and only" smooth the language but can obscure the eternal-generation doctrine the Nicene Creed insists on. The older "only begotten" preserves the precision: Christ is begotten of the Father from eternity, not made. Without that doctrine, the Trinity collapses.
Recover the precision: monogenēs marks Christ's unique sonship. The believer's sonship is adoption; Christ's is eternal. Both are sonship; they are not the same kind.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek monogenēs.
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['Greek', 'G3439', 'monogenēs', 'only begotten, unique']
['Greek', 'G5043', 'teknon', 'child']
Usage
"Christ's unique Father-Son relation."
"Distinguished from adopted sonship."
"Begotten, not made."