The Lord Jesus is referred to the “only begotten” five times in the Bible.  They are John 1:14, John 1:18, John 3:16, John 3:18, and 1 John 4:9.  Looking at these verses, we see that it is only the Apostle John that calls the Lord the “only begotten” Son.  Of course, the most famous use of this phrase is found in John 3:16 which says, “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.”

It is interesting to note that “only begotten” is only one word in the Greek.  That word is ‘Monogenes’ and means ‘only born’.  ‘Monogenes’ is a compound word made of two other Greek words, ‘monos’ meaning “only” and ‘kenos’ meaning “a particular kind or race.” Combining these words together, we have “only kind” or “unique.” That is to say, Jesus is the only begotten, or unique, Son of God.  While the word ‘begotten’ is used many times in the Bible, it is distinctive that Christ is called the “only begotten.”  It is Christ who is ”the brightness of his glory, and the express image” of God. (Hebrews 1:3).  Christ said that, “he that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” (John 14:9).  It is said of the Lord’s eternal being in 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.”  So many other scriptures could be used to show the uniqueness of Christ as the ONLY BEGOTTEN Son of God. 

All who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ become the sons of God as we read in John 1:12 which says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”  However, our sonship is given to us when we put our faith in Christ.  Christ is the eternal Son of God and stands alone in His deity and His relationship to His Father. 

There is one other who was called the “only begotten” of his father.  Let’s read Hebrews 11:17, “By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his ONLY BEGOTTEN son.”  Now, we know that Isaac was NOT the only son of Abraham.  We read in Genesis 16:15, “And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.”  Ishmael was born of Hagar, not Abraham’s wife, Sarah.  Yet, it was Isaac (born of Sarah) that the Lord chose to fulfill His promises through Abraham.  Genesis 17:19 tells us, “And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.”  Yet, although Ishmael was a son of Abraham, Isaac was the UNIQUE SON of Abraham. 

The Lord Jesus is the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD.  He is the unique Son whom God sent into this world so that we might be saved by His sacrificial death on Calvary for sinners like you and me.  Do you know Him as your savior?  Do you have the everlasting life that God promises to those who trust in Him?  Hear the words of the Lord Jesus, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24).  (CC)  (621.4)