In this lecture, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains why Christ is called the Son of God, distinguishing His unique divine sonship from other uses of the term “sons of God” in Scripture. Christ is the only-begotten Son, born of the Father’s own essence, not by adoption or creation.

Different Kinds of Sonship in Scripture:
In the Bible, “sons of God” can refer to people metaphorically — through creation, adoption, or love, for example:

• “I have nourished and brought up children.” (Isaiah 1:2)

• “Israel is My firstborn.” (Exodus 4:22)

• “Adam, the son of God.” (Luke 3:38)
  These are symbolic relationships, expressing God’s love or creative power.

Christ’s Unique Divine Sonship:
Jesus Christ, however, is the Only-Begotten Son (John 3:16), begotten from the very essence of the Father, not created or adopted. His sonship is eternal and essential, as Scripture says: “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

Meaning of “Only-Begotten”:
The Greek word monogenēs means “only of His kind,” or “begotten from the same essence.” Thus, Christ’s sonship differs from all others, for He is one with the Father in nature and divinity.

Faith Perspective:
This title reveals Christ’s full divinity: He is not a prophet or servant called “son” metaphorically, but the eternal Son, through whom all things were made.

Faith Message:
When the Church proclaims Christ as the Son of God, it confesses Him as God the Word made flesh, equal with the Father in essence and glory, who became man for our salvation. Our sonship to God, by contrast, is a gift of grace and adoption, not of nature or substance.

“For better translation support, please contact the center.”