Good news Quote by Jonathan T. Pennington
““First, the ambiguity of the genitive “of/about Jesus Christ” (Iēsou Christou) is best left as just that. Commentators disagree on whether this is a subjective or objective genitive. The rich flexibility of the genitive here likely accommodates both the sense of a Gospel about Jesus Christ (so a heading over the book) and the gospel from or by Jesus Christ, that is, the message of the good news about God’s kingdom that has come from and through Jesus the Christ, or even that preached by him. The comments of A. Y. Collins are well put: The genitive here is ambiguous because those readers familiar with Paul and the other apostles would understand the phrase to mean “the good news about Jesus Christ.” But “in light of the following portrait of Jesus as proclaimer [of this gospel in 1:14–15], the phrase also takes on the meaning ‘the good””
About This Quote
Source Book: Commentary on the New Testament, Jonathan T. Pennington, 2010
The phrase “of/about Jesus Christ” can be read both as a description of the gospel’s subject and as indicating authorship, reflecting theological ambiguity.
In simple terms: The wording can mean either the gospel about Jesus or the gospel from Jesus.
Key Takeaway
Recognize multiple possible meanings in ambiguous texts.
Themes
theology
language
interpretation
biblical studies
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
scholarly
interpretive
When to use this quote
- preaching
- biblical scholarship
- church teaching
Key Concepts
genitive ambiguity
authorial attribution
scriptural analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this affect understanding of the gospel’s origin?
- What implications does authorial ambiguity have for doctrine?
A Different Perspective
Ambiguity may lead to doctrinal disputes.
![“The synoptic Gospels of the New Testament manuscripts make us aware of Christ's character and gives us a view of the 'son-ship' He modeled which flowed out of that Divine character." ~R. Alan Woods [2013]” quote by R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5f0/r-alan-woods-1455_bible_the-synoptic-gospels-of-the-new-testamen_491847.jpg)
