The only begotten Son

Have you ever wondered about the curious description of Christ as the "only begotten Son?" For years this puzzled me. As a result I just brushed over this, not truly considering or understanding the significance of this description. I vaguely assumed this only meant Christ was born as a man and nothing more. Maybe you felt the same way.

Is there more? What does the Bible mean when it says Christ is begotten... as well as the only one who was?

Begotten

Normally in the Bible, begotten means "to bear young or bring forth by birth..." In light of this, it would appear at first that the use of begetting for Christ is a mistake. He is the ¹eternal Son of God after all, with no beginning or end. But in a very specific and narrow sense, he too issues forth from his Father. He is even called "the firstborn of all creation..." suggesting he may be a part of ²creation vs being eternal.

Only Begotten

However, we are told that Christ is not just begotten but is the only begotten Son. What is the significance of "only?" In the ultimate sense, everyone is begotten (brought forth) by God, so "only" in this instance can't mean he's the only one that ever came forth.

It means Christ not only issues forth from the Father, but is the same substance as the Father, and the ²exact likeness (image) of the Father and therefore equal to him (John 1:1 "...the Word was God..."), while distinct at the same time (John 1:1 "...the Word was with God...").

Eternally Begotten

However, unlike us who also bear God's image - and are called sons and daughters of God if we are in Christ - Christ has always issued forth from the Father. He is the only begotten Son, not merely just another son. There has never been a point in time that he did not issue forth. This is true only of Christ. The Son has ¹always been -- i.e., He is eternally begotten, not merely begotten at His physical birth. He was begotten from eternity past and will always be the only begotten of the Father i.e. the Son is God and the only begotten being who is, making him unique to all other beings or things that come from -- are begotten of -- the Father. This is such a unique concept the NASB calls him the only begotten God.

Since this is an eternal begetting, the Son has always been and is equal to the Father, not equal to created beings, but distinct from them. He is not equal to created things because he is the Creator.

Not created yet begotten

Though Christ is not created... He is begotten - i.e. as the creation issues forth from God, Christ also issues forth - but without a beginning. The creation issues forth from the Father at a point in time, and also issues forth only through the Son. Christ has always issued forth from the Father from all eternity past. There has never been a time he did not.

Paul brings out this subtle yet distinct difference in the following passage.

"...yet for us there is

one God,

the Father,

from whom are all things and

for whom we exist, and

one Lord,

Jesus Christ,

through whom are all things and through whom we exist. - 1 Cor 8:6

Note, Paul is suggesting both are equally deity - God the Father and Jesus the Lord - yet have distinct roles in creation. All things are from God and through Christ.

Christ is not only begotten but is the Creator and Sustainer of everything.

What significance does all this have for you and me?

As Christ is a Son, we too are sons and daughters of God, but unlike Christ - who is the image of God unlike us who are in His image - we have a beginning but no end. Christ has no beginning or end.

He is the "I AM" (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58). He is co-eternal -- he has always been -- and is co-equal with God the Father; we are not. Christ is the perfect image of Father, and we are in His image.

Nevertheless, since we both bear the Father's image, he understands and can relate to us in a unique and personal way. His stepping into and taking part in this broken world as a man makes this even more so.

Both begotten and eternal -- the God/man

Christ is begotten and eternal at the same time. This is significant since begetting implies a beginning. There is no beginning with Christ as God -- however there is as a man. He existed before his incarnation and has always been.

This is why he is the only begotten Son. He is one of a kind. He is the God/man and the connection between God and man. God and man unite in Him, by Him, and through Him. For these reasons -- and others -- the Father delights in His Son.

From all these unique aspects of Christ, we can see why it took over 300 years after Christ's resurrection before the church hammered out a formal statement of who Christ is known as the Nicene Creed.

The following creed was the first formal summary of who Christ is made by the council of the church held in Nicaea in 325AD.

That council consisted of men recognized by the church at large as being the most Godly and wise among them. More Godly and wise than you or I, I would suggest.

Note how they carefully acknowledge both the Deity and humanity of Christ.

We believe in one God,

the Father, the Almighty

maker of heaven and earth,

of all that is, seen and unseen.

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.

Through him all things were made.

For us men and for our salvation

he came down from heaven:

by the power of the Holy Spirit

he became incarnate from the

Virgin Mary, and was made man.

For our sake he was crucified under

Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the Scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge

the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the

Lord, the giver of Life,

who proceeds from the Father and

the Son.

With the Father and the Son he is
worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the Prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.

We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

We look for the resurrection of the dead,

and the life of the world to come. Amen.

How is "only begotten" handled by different translations?

You can also see this concept of "only begotten" is so unique the various translations below convey it somewhat differently. It apparently was difficult for translators to capture the full meaning in a single phrase.

Begotten:

John 1:18

(NASB) No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has explained him.

(KJV) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

(CEV) No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.

(ERV) No one has ever seen God. The only Son is the one who has shown us what God is like. He is himself God and is very close to the Father.

(ESV) No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

²Other passages adressing Christ's likeness/image:

²Col 1:15 [Now] He (Christ) is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation.

Col 1:16 For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him.

Col 1:17 And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together). (AMP) [see also Pro 8:22-31].

Hebrews 1:3

(CEV) God's Son has all the brightness of God's own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together. After the Son had washed away our sins, he sat down at the right side of the glorious God in heaven.

(ERV) The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God's nature, and he holds everything together by his powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.

(ESV) He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

(MSG) This Son perfectly mirrors God, and is stamped with God's nature. He holds everything together by what he says—powerful words! After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honored place high in the heavens right alongside God,

(NASB+) And He is the radiance ^G541 of His glory ^G1391 and the exact ^G5481 representation ^G5481 of His nature, ^G5287 and upholds ^G5342 all ^G3956 things ^G3956 by the word ^G4487 of His power. ^G1411 When He had made ^G4160 purification ^G2512 of sins, ^G266 He sat ^G2523 down ^G2523 at the right ^G1188 hand ^G1188 of the Majesty ^G3172 on high, ^G5308

(KJV) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high...

For a further discussion on why the Father and Son love each other, click here.

For a further discussion on how we are like God, click here.
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Foornotes:

¹where else in the Bible do we see the opening phrase of the Gospel of John, "in the beginning...?" There are only two places. Here and in

Genesis 1:1

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

Is this an accident or maybe coincidence?

When both places are addressing creation - which occurred in the beginning - And John goes on to say...

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

it is clear John was pointing back to Genesis to establish that whatever the phase "in the beginning..." meant it applied to both God and His Word (Christ) i.e. Christ was not created. Both existed before anything else. And they created together ( John 1:3; Col 1:15-17; Heb 1:1-3 ).

How can this be? Is the Word eluded to in Genesis. Yes when it says "and God said..." He is speaking the creation into existence by His Word.

²And he is part of creation in the sense that he was fully man; but unlike other creatures, he existed prior to becoming a man. Not only so, he is the Creator through whom all things were created.

³the following are several translations handling some key verses regarding the deity of Christ.

Why do I list all these translations?

All translators must be scholars in the language they translate. This is the primarily reason they are chosen. Each translation (i.e. KJV, NASB, ESV, etc.) has a team of translators. After looking at the original text the experts were in full agreement with what they said.

This is not always the case with other passages. However with the passages below it was.

◄ 1 John 5:20 ►

New International Version

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

New Living Translation

And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.

English Standard Version

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Berean Standard Bible

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Berean Literal Bible

Now we know that the Son of God is come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

King James Bible

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

New King James Version

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

New American Standard Bible

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

NASB 1995

NASB 1977

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

Legacy Standard Bible

Amplified Bible

And we [have seen and] know [by personal experience] that the Son of God has [actually] come [to this world], and has given us understanding and insight so that we may [progressively and personally] know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

Christian Standard Bible

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true one. We are in the true one—that is, in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true One. We are in the true One—that is, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

American Standard Version

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Contemporary English Version

We know that Jesus Christ the Son of God has come and has shown us the true God. And because of Jesus, we now belong to the true God who gives eternal life.

English Revised Version

GOD'S WORD® Translation

We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we know the real God. We are in the one who is real, his Son Jesus Christ. This Jesus Christ is the real God and eternal life.

Good News Translation

We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we know the true God. We live in union with the true God--in union with his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and this is eternal life.

International Standard Version

We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know the true God. We are in union with the one who is true, his Son Jesus the Messiah, who is the true God and eternal life.

NET Bible

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us insight to know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This one is the true God and eternal life.

New Heart English Bible

We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Webster's Bible Translation

And we know that the Son of God hath come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Weymouth New Testament

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we know the true One, and are in union with the true One--that is, we are in union with His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and the Life of the Ages.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

World English Bible

We know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version

but we have known that the Son of God has come, and has given us a mind that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ; this One is the true God and the continuous Life!

Berean Literal Bible

Now we know that the Son of God is come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Young's Literal Translation

and we have known that the Son of God is come, and hath given us a mind, that we may know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ; this one is the true God and the life age-during!

Smith's Literal Translation

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, and we know him true, and we are in him true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible

And we know that the Son of God is come: and he hath given us understanding that we may know the true God, and may be in his true Son. This is the true God and life eternal.

Catholic Public Domain Version

And we know that the Son of God has arrived, and that he has given us understanding, so that we may know the true God, and so that we may remain in his true Son. This is the true God, and this is Eternal Life.

New American Bible

We also know that the Son of God has come and has given us discernment to know the one who is true. And we are in the one who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

New Revised Standard Version

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true, and we are in him who is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English

And we know that The Son of God has come and he has given us a mind to know The True One and to be in The True One- in his Son, Yeshua The Messiah. This One is The True God and The Life Eternal.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament

And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, that we may know him that is true: and we are in him that is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and life eternal.

Godbey New Testament

But we know that the Son of God has come and has given unto us intelligence, that we know the truth. And we are in the true one, in his Son Jesus Christ; he is the true God, and eternal life.

Haweis New Testament

But we know that the Son of God hath come, and hath given to us understanding, that we might know the true God; and we are in him that is true, in his Son Jesus the Messiah. HE is the true God, and the life eternal.

Mace New Testament

We know that the son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding to know him that is true: and we are with him that is true, by his son Jesus Christ. "he is the true God, who is the author of eternal life."

Weymouth New Testament

Worrell New Testament

And we know that the Son of God hath come, and hath given us understanding, that we may know the True One: and we are in the True One?in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the True God, and eternal life.

Worsley New Testament

But we know that the son of God is come, and hath given us understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, and in his son Jesus Christ: He is the true God, and eternal life.

Additional Translations ...

…19We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one. 20And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true— in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the TRUE God and eternal life. 21Little children, keep yourselves from idols.…

Berean Standard Bible

Cross References

John 1:1-3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. / He was with God in the beginning. / Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Colossians 2:2-3

that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Hebrews 1:2-3

But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. / The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

1 John 1:1-3

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; …

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

John 1:18

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.

Romans 9:5

Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen.

Titus 2:13

as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:6

Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

1 John 5:1

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

1 John 4:2,14

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: …

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 17:3

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Greek

And

δὲ (de)

Conjunction

Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

we know

οἴδαμεν (oidamen)

Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural

Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

that

ὅτι (hoti)

Conjunction

Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

the

ὁ (ho)

Article - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Son

Υἱὸς (Huios)

Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of God

Θεοῦ (Theou)

Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular

Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

has come

ἥκει (hēkei)

Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular

Strong's 2240: To have come, be present, have arrived. A primary verb; to arrive, i.e. Be present.

and

καὶ (kai)

Conjunction

Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

has given

δέδωκεν (dedōken)

Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular

Strong's 1325: To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.

ἡμῖν (hēmin)

Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 1st Person Plural

Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

understanding,

διάνοιαν (dianoian)

Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular

Strong's 1271: From dia and nous; deep thought, properly, the faculty, by implication, its exercise.

so that

ἵνα (hina)

Conjunction

Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

we may know

γινώσκωμεν (ginōskōmen)

Verb - Present Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Plural

Strong's 1097: A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications.

Him who [is]

τὸν (ton)

Article - Accusative Masculine Singular

Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

true;

ἀληθινόν (alēthinon)

Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular

Strong's 228: True (lit: made of truth), real, genuine. From alethes; truthful.

and

καὶ (kai)

Conjunction

Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

we are

ἐσμὲν (esmen)

Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural

Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

ἐν (en)

Preposition

Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Him who [is]

τῷ (tō)

Article - Dative Masculine Singular

Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

true—

ἀληθινῷ (alēthinō)

Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular

Strong's 228: True (lit: made of truth), real, genuine. From alethes; truthful.

ἐν (en)

Preposition

Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

His

αὐτοῦ (autou)

Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular

Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

Son

Υἱῷ (Huiō)

Noun - Dative Masculine Singular

Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

Jesus

Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)

Noun - Dative Masculine Singular

Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

Christ.

Χριστῷ (Christō)

Noun - Dative Masculine Singular

Strong's 5547: Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

οὗτός (houtos)

Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

ἐστιν (estin)

Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular

Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

the

ὁ (ho)

Article - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

TRUE

ἀληθινὸς (alēthinos)

Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 228: True (lit: made of truth), real, genuine. From alethes; truthful.

God

Θεὸς (Theos)

Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

and

καὶ (kai)

Conjunction

Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

eternal

αἰώνιος (aiōnios)

Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular

Strong's 166: From aion; perpetual.

life.

ζωὴ (zōē)

Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular

Strong's 2222: Life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence. From zao; life.

___________________________

◄ John 1:18 ►

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

New Living Translation

No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

English Standard Version

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Berean Standard Bible

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.

Berean Literal Bible

No one has ever yet seen God. The only begotten God, the One being in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known.

King James Bible

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

New King James Version

No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.

New American Standard Bible

No one has seen God at any time; God the only Son, who is in the arms of the Father, He has explained Him.

NASB 1995

No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

NASB 1977

No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Legacy Standard Bible

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 Bible

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].

Christian Standard Bible

No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side —he has revealed him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible

No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son— the One who is at the Father’s side— He has revealed Him.

American Standard Version

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Contemporary English Version

No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.

English Revised Version

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation

No one has ever seen God. God's only Son, the one who is closest to the Father's heart, has made him known.

Good News Translation

No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is the same as God and is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

International Standard Version

No one has ever seen God. The unique God, who is close to the Father's side, has revealed him.

NET Bible

No one has ever seen God. The only one, himself God, who is in closest fellowship with the Father, has made God known.

New Heart English Bible

No one has seen God at any time. The only Son, who is at the Father's side, has made him known.

Webster's Bible Translation

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Weymouth New Testament

No human eye has ever seen God: the only Son, who is in the Father's bosom--He has made Him known.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.

World English Bible

No one has seen God at any time. The only born Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version

No one has ever seen God; the only begotten God who is on the bosom of the Father—He has expounded [Him].

Berean Literal Bible

No one has ever yet seen God. The only begotten God, the One being in the bosom of the Father, He has made Him known.

Young's Literal Translation

God no one hath ever seen; the only begotten Son, who is on the bosom of the Father -- he did declare.

Smith's Literal Translation

None has seen God at any time; the only born Son, he being in the bosom of the Father, he has declared.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible

No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Catholic Public Domain Version

No one ever saw God; the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he himself has described him.

New American Bible

No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

New Revised Standard Version

No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible

No man has ever seen God; but the firstborn of God, who is in the bosom of his Father, he has declared him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English

No man has seen God at any time; The Only Begotten God Who is in the bosom of The Father, he has declared him.”

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament

No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has revealed him.

Godbey New Testament

No one has ever seen God; the only begotten Son, the one being in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared him.

Haweis New Testament

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath thoroughly described him.

Mace New Testament

no man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten son, who is intimate with the father, hath made him known.

Weymouth New Testament

No human eye has ever seen God: the only Son, who is in the Father's bosom--He has made Him known.

Worrell New Testament

No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father, He declared Him.

Worsley New Testament

and though no one hath ever seen God, or can see Him: yet the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, hath made Him known.

The Word Became Flesh

…17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known. 19And this was John’s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?”...Berean Standard Bible

Cross References

Colossians 1:15

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Hebrews 1:3

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

John 14:9

Jesus replied, “Philip, I have been with you all this time, and still you do not know Me? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

1 John 5:20

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.

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.

John 14:9

Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

Greek

No one

οὐδεὶς (oudeis)

Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 3762: No one, none, nothing.

has ever seen

ἑώρακεν (heōraken)

Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular

Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

God,

Θεὸν (Theon)

Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular

Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[but the] one and only Son,

μονογενὴς (monogenēs)

Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 3439: Only, only-begotten; unique. From monos and ginomai; only-born, i.e. Sole.

[who is Himself] God

Θεὸς (Theos)

Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

[and]

ὁ (ho)

Article - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ὢν (ōn)

Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular

Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

εἰς (eis)

Preposition

Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

the

τὸν (ton)

Article - Accusative Masculine Singular

Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Father’s

Πατρὸς (Patros)

Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular

Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

side,

κόλπον (kolpon)

Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular

Strong's 2859: Apparently a primary word; the bosom; by analogy, a bay.

has made [Him] known.

ἐξηγήσατο (exēgēsato)

Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular

Strong's 1834: To lead, show the way; met: I unfold, narrate, declare. From ek and hegeomai; to consider out, i.e. Rehearse, unfold.

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Monday, May 13, 2019

The only begotten Son

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