I did a simple word study on the word "euangellion" in the Greek, just to see in what contexts the word was used. The closest I got to a definition was in reading Ephesians 1:13:

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit..."

I would submit to you that the gospel is the word of truth... it is not merely words... it is the Word... it is Christ, who is the Truth. (John 14:6)

Also, check out 2 Timothy. One of the main themes - to me, it seems - is treasuring the gospel. Take a look at 2 Tim 1:10 and 2 Tim 2:8... Christ "abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" and it was "the risen Jesus Christ, offspring of David" that was preached in the gospel. I would also submit that unless you preach or proclaim the resurrected Christ, and why this is significant, you are not preaching the gospel.

So basically, if you’re talking about how following Jesus is going to give you prosperity, a new car, success in the business place, happiness, wealth, purpose, energy, yada yada yada you are seriously missing the mark… maybe we need to think more about what the Good News meant for Jesus and his followers – death anyone? Suffering? How about being homeless? Outcast? Despised? Yea… it’s not too “pretty” and won’t give you the warm fuzzies.

Thoughts?

Here is a long list of other qualities of the Gospel:



(Feel free to discuss any of these. It may be interesting to discuss if all these references refer to the same euangellion.)

• it was first proclaimed by Jesus (Mark 1:14)


• when Jesus proclaimed it, he brought healing as well (Matt 4:23, 9:35)


• it is to be believed (Mark 1:15)


• it is for all nations, peoples, and all of creation (Matt 24:14; Mark 13:10, 16:15)


• it is a testimony of God's grace (Acts 20:24)


• it is powerful, and brings salvation (Rom 1:16)


• it is something to be obeyed (Rom 10:16)


• it is proclaimed (Mark 14:9, 16:15) and provides a living (different from life) for some (1 Cor 9:14)


• it is free, not something to make a monetary profit from (1 Cor 9:18)


• it is veiled to some, the unbelievers (2 Cor. 4:3)


• it is light, it the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4)


• it is preached (Acts, 1 Cor 15:1, 2 Cor 2:12, 2 Cor 8:18)


• it is confessed (2 Cor. 9:13)


• it is God's, not man's (Gal. 1:11)


• it brings peace (Eph. 6:15)


• it is a mystery (Rom 16:25, Eph. 6:19)


• it is defended and confirmed (Phil 1:7)


• it is advanced (Phil. 1:12)


• it is the word of truth (Col 1:5)


• it is glorious (1 Tim 1:11)


• it is eternal (Rev 14:6)