the Gospel
As you all know, the gospel is simple: “The just shall live by faith.” There is much, of course, to be unpacked from those six words and the study of their implications and ramifications could consume a lifetime of study. But the declaration remains effectively brief, as Johnson goes on to say:
The apostle does not set forth the details of his gospel.’ The interpreter, however, is upon reasonably safe ground in assuming that they are found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-5. The gospel is the good news of Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and appearances, together with the apostolic explanation of the doctrinal significance of these great facts. It is that which the apostle expounds in Romans, particularly chapters one through eight .
The word euaggelion (AV, ‘gospel’) by New Testament times came to mean good tidings, good news, and it carried with it a note of excitement. ‘Good news’ was and is the type of message one might shout across the street to a friend or neighbor. ‘The war’s over!’ ‘It’s a boy!’ ‘The [Colts] won!’ The Christian message has that same note of exhilaration. ‘The atonement’s accomplished!’ ‘God welcomes sinners!’
The good news is the statement of war’s end, a birth, a victory, or a salvation accomplished. Anyone hearing such news, were they interested, would immediately ask for the details, which would then be happily given. But the gospel remains encapsulated in Habbakuk’s words. As Johnson says, “the apostle’s meaning is simply this: The gospel is the power of God that leads to complete salvation, salvation from the penalty, power and, ultimately, the presence of sin.”
And that is, quite simply, good news, indeed!
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