this issue
previous article in this issuenext article in this issue

Document Details :

Title: The Difficulty of μονογενὴς θεός in John 1,18
Subtitle: A Reassessment
Author(s): COUTSOUMPOS, Panayotis
Journal: Biblica
Volume: 98    Issue: 3   Date: 2017   
Pages: 435-446
DOI: 10.2143/BIB.98.3.3245516

Abstract :
The expression μονογενὴς Θεός is considered one of the most difficult phrases in the study of the NT. Two decades ago, the prevailing view among New Testament scholars was that the phrase μονογενὴς Θεός in the Johannine writings means 'only' or 'single'. More recently, some scholars have argued the case for interpreting this phrase simply as 'only begotten'. This article proposes that the overwhelming evidence from both classical Greek literature and the New Testament itself, including statements from outside the writings of John (e.g. Heb. 11,17), establish beyond question that this phrase refers to uniqueness and singularity, not to origin or derivation.

Download article