Gospel means “good news.” What is so good about this news that it has been retold for two thousand years? Here you will find 20 Bible verses about the gospel—about its message and its power.
What the gospel is
The good news in brief.
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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.
John 3:16JesusEternal life
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But I remind you, brethren, of the gospel which I preached unto you, which ye received, and wherein ye stand, and wherein ye are saved: how I preached it unto you, and how ye kept it; lest ye should have believed in vain. For I first gave you that which I received: that Christ is dead for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he is risen again the third day according to the scriptures.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
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For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation unto every one that believeth, unto the Jew first, and also unto the Greek.
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Forasmuch as Christ died for us, when we were yet sinners.
Romans 5:8CrucifixionGood Friday
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For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23ReceiveEternal life
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For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9GraceReformation Day
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For he made him, who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we should be made righteous before God.
2 Corinthians 5:21CrucifixionRighteousness
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Forasmuch as Christ also in our stead once suffered for our sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he should bring us unto God, and is slain in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.
1 Peter 3:18Good Friday
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And after that John had received his commission, Jesus came into Galilee, and preached the gospel of the kingdom of God, and said, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is come near, repent ye, and believe in the gospel.
Mark 1:14-15
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And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people; For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
The power of the gospel
What the good news accomplishes.
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For whosoever shall confess with his mouth that Jesus is Lord, and shall believe in his heart that God hath raised him from the dead, shall be saved.
Romans 10:9
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For the hope which is laid up in heaven, whereof ye heard before by the word of truth, which is the gospel, which is come unto you, and unto all the world; and is fruitful also in you, from that day as ye heard it, and knew the grace of God in truth.
Colossians 1:5-6
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Now therefore, as ye have heard, walk worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which hath brought to light the life and an incorruption, by which ye have been made unto heirs.
2 Timothy 1:10Eternal lifeEaster
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But I declare unto you, brethren, that the gospel which I preach is not of man: for I neither received it of man, nor was I taught, but by revelation of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:11-12
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By whom also ye have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; by whom also, when ye were made believers, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.
Ephesians 1:13
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Walk therefore worthy of the calling wherewith ye are called, and labour with us, labouring fervently, as ye have always laboured, and with us, as ye are brethren.
Philippians 1:27Community
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How lovely for the feet of the messengers, which preach peace, which preach good tidings, which preach salvation, which say unto Zion, Thy God is King!
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The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD hath anointed me; to preach unto the meek, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim unto the captives liberty, and unto those that sit in prison, that they may be loosed.
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The blind shall see, and the lame shall walk, the leper shall be cleansed, and the deaf shall hear; the dead shall arise, and the poor shall hear the gospel.
Matthew 11:5
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But I esteem myself neither accounted for, nor yet hold my own life dear, that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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What is the gospel?
The Greek word euangelion means “good news.” In the Roman Empire, this was used for reports of victory or the birth of an emperor. The early Christians adopted the word for something even greater: God became human in Jesus, died for the sins of the world, and rose again. Paul summarizes it in 1 Corinthians 15: “that Christ is dead for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he is risen again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). John 3:16 is considered the gospel in a single sentence.
Why it is good news
The gospel is not a guide on how to become better, but a message about what God has done. It says: You do not have to earn God’s love. “For by grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Paul calls it “the power of God unto salvation unto every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16). And he is not ashamed of it—even though he is in prison for it. Find out more in Bible verses about salvation and deliverance, Bible verses about grace, and Bible verses about mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does gospel mean?
Gospel is Greek and means “good news.” It refers to the message of Jesus Christ, his death, and his resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
What is the gospel in one sentence?
Many people cite John 3:16: “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.”
