The Trinitarian Significance of Translating Only Begotten

Mr Jonathan Arnold, General Secretary of TBS, discusses key verses and points related to the Trinity.

'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 ...No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him (John 1.14,18).

The term 'only begotten' has been attacked in recent years, with modern translations changing it to terms such as 'unique' or 'a different kind'.

The following points are discussed:

• These passages (John 1.14,18) were used by those who trying to uphold the doctrine of the Trinity in the fourth century.
• The changed view on this passage was influenced by Westcott who wrote a paper against it.
• The rise of broader modern evangelicals desiring to return to 'only begotten'.