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NASB | John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 1:18 No one has seen God [His essence, His divine nature] at any time; the [One and] only begotten God [that is, the unique Son] who is in the intimate presence of the Father, He has explained Him [and interpreted and revealed the awesome wonder of the Father]. [Prov 8:30] |
Bible Question: I have a question concerning the word 'monogenes'——I have heard that this word is most properly translated as 'one and only' and that such a translation is the most literal. I can hardly believe such a claim considering the origins of the word——which are monos and ginomai. I believe, despite the archaism of the word 'beget', that 'only begotten' is indeed as literal as one can get in English (although I suppose one could say 'only engendered'). SO the question is: be there any validity to the claim that 'one and only' is the most proper translation. |
Bible Answer: Hi, Jordan... Welcome to the forum! We are not equipped to render a sound judgment as to how "proper" one translation for the word monogenese might be over another. However, for what it is worth, I would deem that both translations are helpful. The word monogenese only appears in the Scripture designating Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God -- which thing does not assist us in our evaluation. Nonetheless, the phrase "only begotten" is a good one, for our Lord is, indeed, "the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made" (Nicene Creed). Nonetheless, we also understand in this doctrine, the importance of the idea that Christ is "the utterly unique one." Doctrinally, we need to understand, at least, both aspects of His nature -- for without them, many errors have arisen. It doesn't answer your question as you asked it, but perhaps what I have written may be helpful as you continue your research. In Him, Doc |
Up | View Branch | ID# 238500 | ||
Questions and/or Subjects for John 1:18 | Author | ||
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Nickybobbicals | ||
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True Truthseeker | ||
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jesuslovethee | ||
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Jordan Ellis | ||
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DocTrinsograce |