John 3:16 in the King James Version begins with the words, “for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.” But what does the word “begotten”‘ mean?  Is it another word for birth or being born?  Was John saying Jesus was God’s firstborn son?  If so, then where was Jesus before he was born? Before he was conceived by Mary?

The word itself is used nine times in the New Testament and can refer to the idea of birth. For example, Luke 7:12 tells us a certain widow lost her “only son” (our word “begotten”), and that Jesus brought him back to life. The word is also used to talk about an only daughter (Luke 8:42), and an only child (Luke 9:38, Hebrews 11:17). But when it’s used of Jesus, the emphasis is not on his physical birth but his position in God. He is uniquely God’s Son, being God himself (cf. John 1:1-18, 1 John 4:19).  The ancient Nicene Creed was written to defend his unique status as when it said regarding Jesus, “We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father.”

One reason this is important is because of those who believe Jesus was a son of God without being divine (e.g., Islam, cults, and liberal Christians). However, when we remember that Hebrews 11:17 says Isaac was Abraham’s “one and only Son,” even though Ishmael was also alive, then we realize the word “begotten” can also be connected to the idea of “uniqueness.” Though God has other sons (e.g., angels [Job 1:6], peacemakers [Matthew 5:9], Christians [John 1:12-13]) only Christ is uniquely God’s Son. He stands above and apart from everyone else.

If we do not hold to Christ’s uniqueness as being God’s “only begotten” Son, then we forfeit the Christian faith, for that term connects us to his deity, and his ability to totally take care of our sins.

Dana Arledge, Phil Meade, Kevin Farmer