Living Out Euangelion: Sharing God's Kingdom

The Meaning of Euangelion

The Greek term εὐαγγέλιον (Euangelion) translates to 'good news' and is central to the New Testament's proclamation of Jesus' mission.

Derived from εὖ (‘good’) and ἀγγελία (‘message’), it emphasizes a joyful announcement of divine action, particularly God’s salvation through Christ. In Mark 1:1, the Gospel of Jesus Christ begins with this term, framing it as the fulfillment of Scripture and the dawn of God’s kingdom. It differs from 'basileia' (βασιλεία, ‘kingdom’), which denotes God’s reign itself rather than its proclamation.

While 'gospel' in English often refers broadly to Christian teachings, Euangelion in Greek carries a dynamic sense of an urgent, life-altering message. For example, in Luke 4:43, Jesus declares that He has come to announce this good news, linking it directly to healing and liberation. This distinction highlights its role as both a declaration and a call to repentance.

Euangelion in Mark 1:14-15

Mark 1:14-15 crystallizes Jesus’ mission as the proclamation of the 'gospel of God,' framing His ministry as the fulfillment of divine promises.

In Mark 1:14, Jesus begins His public ministry by declaring, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.' This verse encapsulates the urgency and centrality of Euangelion, which here signals the arrival of God’s redemptive reign. Jesus’ message is twofold: a call to repentance for the present age and a summons to trust in the good news of God’s kingdom. The term 'gospel of God' (Mark 1:14) shows that this announcement is a divine revelation of salvation through Jesus, not just a human proclamation. By linking 'the time is fulfilled' (1:15) to the proclamation, Mark positions Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament eschatological hope, with Euangelion as the vehicle of that revelation.

The Gospel, as defined in this passage, is not abstract theology but a concrete announcement of God’s active intervention in history. Jesus’ declaration merges proclamation with ethical demand, requiring both repentance (a turning from sin) and belief (a trust in God’s action).

This framework for Euangelion in Mark 1:14-15 establishes the Gospel as the core of Jesus’ mission - a dynamic message of liberation and restoration that will unfold through His teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection. It also sets the stage for understanding how Euangelion, in Mark’s Gospel, is inseparable from the kingdom’s advance and the call to discipleship.

Theological Significance of Euangelion

In Pauline and Johannine writings, Euangelion becomes a theological lens through which God’s redemptive purposes are revealed.

Paul frames the Gospel (Romans 1:16) as the power of God for salvation, emphasizing Christ’s death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the foundation of this good news. For him, Euangelion is inseparable from the kingdom of God, which Jesus inaugurated and which Paul extends to Gentiles through faith. This salvation, rooted in Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, redefines God’s covenantal promises as universally accessible.

John’s Gospel (John 1:1, 1:14) portrays Euangelion as the eternal Word made flesh, linking the Gospel to the divine nature of Christ and the fullness of God’s revelation. Revelation 14:6-7 later universalizes this message, declaring an eternal gospel call to worship the Creator and embrace His kingdom. These texts present Euangelion as a cosmic declaration of salvation’s final victory, not merely a historical proclamation.

Putting 'Euangelion' into Practice

Understanding 'Euangelion' as the divine proclamation of salvation through Jesus reshapes how modern Christians engage in witness and discipleship.

Mark 1:14-15 frames the Gospel as both urgent announcement and call to action, urging believers today to share the 'good news' of God's kingdom with clarity and purpose. This term compels followers of Christ to mirror Jesus' example (Luke 4:43), embodying the message through acts of justice, mercy, and reconciliation. Paul's assertion that the Gospel is 'the power of God for salvation' (Romans 1:16) challenges modern discipleship to center faith in Christ's redemptive work rather than human effort. As Revelation 14:6-7 envisions an eternal 'gospel of eternal God,' contemporary witness must balance urgency with hope, inviting others to repent and trust in God's sovereign grace.

Sharing the Gospel today is about participating in God's ongoing mission to restore creation, not just theological instruction. It requires both proclamation, as Jesus commanded (Mark 1:15), and practical demonstration of love, reflecting the 'Word made flesh' (John 1:14) in a fractured world.

Going Deeper

To explore Euangelion further, consider how Mark 1:1 and 1:14-15 frame the Gospel as both divine revelation and a call to action.

Study resources like the *Commentary on the Gospel of Mark* by R.T. France or *A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament* by BDAG can clarify its theological nuances. For broader context, examine how Luke 4:43 and Revelation 14:6-7 expand the Gospel’s purpose beyond proclamation to cosmic restoration.