“Oh dear! Euaggelion?” I could hear you exclaim. What’s this word, some may be asking while others may already know. So, for those who don’t let me introduce you to the Greek word translated “gospel” or “good news” in English and pronounced “yoo-ahg-gel-leon”.
Euaggelion is superlative, in that it’s of the highest
quality or degree of “good news”, meaning it goes far beyond simply “good news”; it actually
speaks of too-good-to-be-true news.
It’s like the too-good-to-be-true news a young virgin
received from angel Gabriel when he said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary, for
you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and
bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and will be
called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne
of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and
of his kingdom there will be no end.” – Luke 1:30-33 (NRSVUE)
Euaggelion is a word which was oversimplified in its English
translation. Its translation of “good news” does not exude the inherent power
that exists within its true meaning. Within this word is the power to generate
salvation in those to whom it is proclaimed.
How beautiful upon the
mountains are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace, who
brings good tidings of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your
God reigns! – Isaiah 52:7 (AMPC)
Euaggelion denotes “good tidings of good”. It is the
announcement of something that is wonderful, like the news of God’s saving
action through His beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
This is no ordinary worldly news; these are tidings of a
positive nature that bring peace and joy unfathomable that is exclusively
hinged to Jesus. It is the too-good-to-be-true announcement concerning Him.
Euaggelion is about Jesus and Jesus Himself is Euaggelion.
Pope Francis once said that we are living our lives like
Lent without Easter. And that’s how it is living without Jesus Christ in our
lives.
Beloved, Jesus has made it possible for you to access the
Kingdom of heaven on earth. His atonement has provided everything that you need
for the life of abundance, both here now and in heaven to come (see John
10:10-12).
Amen †
Shelley Johnson “Euaggelion” © October 12, 2025
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