When the word “Gospel” is being used generally or specifically.
When the word “Gospel” is being used generally or specifically.
§ 7. Furthermore, whether the word “Gospel” is being used in general for the entire system of God’s teaching or, rather, specifically and properly for the doctrine of grace is easily known from the context of each passage.
(1) Whenever the doctrine of the Law is contrasted to the Gospel or whenever an effect has developed from the Law—for instance, contrition, wrath, grief, etc.—then it is certain that the doctrine of grace is understood by the word “Gospel.” “Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15).
(2) Whenever Christ is set forth as the subject or matter of the Gospel, along with His benefits, which are the free pardon of sins, reconciliation with the heavenly Father, the adoption of sons, then here, too, the word “Gospel” is being used properly and specifically as distinguished from the Law. “The Lord has sent Me to preach the Gospel [ad evangelizandum] to the afflicted, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Isa. 61:1).
(3) When people are set forth as the object of the Gospel, people who are contrite because of the knowledge of their sin and because they feel the divine wrath, then here, too, the word “Gospel” must be understood as the doctrine of grace. “The Gospel is preached to the poor,” (Matt. 11:5), namely, to those who are poor in spirit (Matt. 5:3).
(4) Whenever eternal life and salvation are stated as effects of the Gospel, then it is certain that here the word “Gospel” means the preaching of grace, since righteousness and salvation do not come to us from the Law but from the Gospel, in the proper sense of the word; not from works but from faith; not as result of merit but from the free gift of God. “The Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith” (Rom. 1:16).
(5) Whenever faith is stated as being related to the Gospel, then here, too, it should be judged that the word “Gospel” denotes the doctrine of grace. Indeed, “the Law is not from faith, for ‘he who does them shall live in them’ ” (Gal. 3:12). Thus “repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15).