If Your Bible Does Not Have The Word ‘Begotten’ In John 3:16 Then You Have A Corrupt Book That Rejects The Deity Of Jesus Christ

 NTEB October 13, 2020

A reader named Chandra wrote to me earlier today and asked me a really good question about the King James bible. She asked me “Is there a significance in the different wording in Bible versions of John 3:16? Some say, “one and only Son”, while my AKJV says, “only begotten Son”. The word ‘begotten’ seems significant to me and having it left out of other versions seems wrong.” Man, talk about a loaded question!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJB)

When the new versions remove the word ‘begotten” from the bible, they are doing way more than simply giving you an “updated translation” or a “dynamic equivalent”. They are removing a direct reference to the deity of Jesus Christ, as well as putting our Lord and Saviour on the same level of sinful man, like you and I are. That word ‘begotten’ means that Jesus Christ is made in the direct image of God, that in His flesh, He is God Almighty, which makes Him equal to the Father in all ways.

“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” 1 Timothy 3:16 (KJB)

When the NIV, ESV, NLT, RSV and all the other corrupt versions that remove ‘begotten’ take it out, then you have Jesus presented as God’s “one and only Son”, which again, is not true. God has many sons, but we are adopted sons, not begotten sons. Huge difference.

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:1,2 (KJB)

John tells us that, when we are saved, we finally become the children of God, adopted into the family and counted as joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We have cast off the image of Adam that Genesis 5:3 (KJB) says we were made in, and become the children of God we read about in Galatians 3:26 (KJB). But only Jesus is begotten of the Father, everyone else is adopted. Remove the word ‘begotten’ and now Jesus is what, just like me and you? That will not work.

Is Christ God?

This question requires a definition of the word “God.” If the word “God” is taken to mean, “the supreme ruler of the universe, the Most High God,” then the answer to your question would have to be no, because the Bible recognizes only one person with these titles, and Jesus said Himself that His Father is “the only true [original] God.” (John 17:3)

The word “god” has several different meanings. In a very limited sense, men are called god. Both the Greek word theos and the Hebrew word elohim, which are most often translated “god,” are used in reference to men. (See Exodus 7:1; Psalm 82:6; John 10:34) When the word “god” is used in that sense, then there are hundreds and thousands of gods.

In a less limited sense, angels are called gods. David wrote about man, “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels.” (Psalms 8:5) The word “angels” in this verse comes from the Hebrew word elohim. The way elohim is used here it denotes a type of being that is higher than man, but it is still used in a limited sense, and with this definition there would still be many gods.

In reference to Christ, elohim and theos are used in a much less limited sense, to denote His nature as being on the same level as His Father—something that cannot be said about any other being in the universe. The Bible says that Christ was “in the form of God.” (Philippians 2:6)

But even when the word “God” is used of Christ, it is used in a limited sense, because Christ has a God who is “the head of Christ,” “above all,” and “greater than” He. (See 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 4:6; and John 14:28.) When the word “God” is used in its absolute and unlimited sense, there is only one Person to whom it can apply, and that is God, the Father, alone. Jesus said that His Father is “the only true God.” (John 17:3) Paul said, “there is none other God but one… God, the Father.” (1 Corinthians 8:4, 6) Of the 1320 times the word “God” is used in the New Testament, more than 99% of the time it refers exclusively to God the Father, while it only applies to His Son four times. (John 1:1; John 20:28; Hebrews 1:8; 1 Timothy 3:16)

So to clarify, there are many gods when the word “God” is used in a limited sense, to include men and angels. When “God” is used as an adjective to describe the nature of God, then there are only two divine beings, God, the Father and Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son. When the word “God” is used in this sense, then yes, Jesus is God. The Son of God is completely divine by nature because His Father is divine, just as I am completely human because my parents are human.

When the word “God” is used in its absolute sense, to denote “the most High God,” “the Sovereign of the universe,” or “the only true God,” then there is only one God, the Father, beside which there is no God.

Some people think that God is beyond the possibility of having a Son, but Jesus said, “with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27) Let’s not limit God. If God would have a thousand begotten Sons it would not detract in the least from the fact that He is “the only true God,” the “one God” of the Bible. 

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