Gospel vs. Evangel — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 29, 2024
Gospel refers to the first four books of the New Testament, documenting the life and teachings of Jesus, while Evangel is a term synonymous with 'gospel', often used to denote the message or proclamation of Christian salvation.
Difference Between Gospel and Evangel
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Gospel is primarily known as the name for the first four books of the New Testament Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John which detail the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, Evangel is a term that comes from the same Greek root as "gospel" but is less commonly used in modern contexts; it often refers more broadly to the Christian message of salvation rather than specific books.
While the Gospels are canonical texts in Christianity, recognized and used for liturgical purposes, Evangel is used more in theological discussions or evangelical contexts to emphasize the act of preaching or spreading the Christian faith. Whereas the Gospels serve as foundational documents for Christian beliefs, the concept of Evangel emphasizes the outreach and missionary aspect of Christianity.
Gospel texts are often studied for their historical and religious content, providing insights into the life of Jesus and the early Christian community. Meanwhile, Evangel is associated with the spread of Christianity and is often discussed in the context of missionary work and evangelism, focusing on how the message is conveyed rather than the content itself.
In terms of literary genre, each of the Gospels has its unique style and audience, with scholars noting their specific theological emphases. In contrast, Evangel does not refer to a specific literary form but rather to the message contained within the Gospels and other Christian teachings.
Comparison Chart
Definition
First four books of the New Testament.
Synonym for 'gospel', message of salvation.
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Usage
Liturgical and religious study.
Theological discussions, evangelism.
Focus
Life and teachings of Jesus.
Spreading the Christian message.
Textual Emphasis
Historical and theological content.
Act of preaching and outreach.
Common Contexts
Religious education, church services.
Missionary work, evangelical movements.
Compare with Definitions
Gospel
A written account of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel of Mark provides the shortest account of Jesus's ministry.
Evangel
Good news, specifically the Christian message about Christ's coming and salvation.
The preacher shared the evangel with the village.
Gospel
An unquestionable truth.
His word was taken as gospel by his followers.
Evangel
A representation or embodiment of evangelical beliefs.
His sermons are considered a true evangel of faith.
Gospel
Something that is taught as an important and unquestionably true tenet.
The environmentalists preached reducing carbon footprints as gospel.
Evangel
An evangelist's preaching or book.
His latest evangel has reached many through broadcast.
Gospel
A liturgical reading in Christian churches that comes from the Gospels.
This Sunday's Gospel reading is from Luke.
Evangel
A literary or spoken work aimed at spreading Christianity.
They distributed the evangel in local languages.
Gospel
A genre of Christian music that is expressive and often joyful.
She loves singing Gospel music at the choir.
Evangel
The missionary, reforming, or redeeming spirit evident in the time of an activity or event.
There was a strong evangel during the revival meeting.
Gospel
Often Gospel The proclamation of the redemption preached by Jesus and the Apostles, which is the central content of Christian revelation.
Evangel
The Christian gospel.
Gospel
A similar narrative.
Evangel
An evangelist.
Gospel
Often Gospel A lection from any of the first four New Testament books included as part of a religious service.
Evangel
The Christian gospel.
Gospel
A teaching or doctrine of a religious teacher.
Evangel
A salutary principle relating to morals, politics, etc.
Gospel
(Music) Gospel music.
Evangel
An evangelist.
Gospel
Something, such as an idea or principle, accepted as unquestionably true
My parents' rules were gospel.
Evangel
Good news; announcement of glad tidings; especially, the gospel, or a gospel.
Her funeral anthem is a glad evangel.
Gospel
Often Gospel Of or in accordance with the Gospel; evangelical.
Evangel
Four books in the New Testament that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings
Gospel
Of or relating to gospel music.
Gospel
The first section of the Christian New Testament scripture, comprising the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, concerned with the birth, ministry, passion, and resurrection of Jesus.
Gospel
An account of those aspects of Jesus' life, generally written during the first several centuries of the Common Era.
Gospel
(Protestantism) The teaching of Divine grace as distinguished from the Law or Divine commandments.
Gospel
A message expected to have positive reception or effect, one promoted as offering important (or even infallible) guiding principles.
Gospel
(uncountable) That which is absolutely authoritative definitive.
Took her words for gospel
Gospel
(uncountable) Gospel music.
Gospel
(transitive) To instruct in, declare, or communicate the gospel; to evangelise.
Gospel
Glad tidings; especially, the good news concerning Christ, the Kingdom of God, and salvation.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
The steadfast belief of the promises of the gospel.
Thus the literal sense [of gospel] is the "narrative of God," i. e., the life of Christ.
Gospel
A selection from one of the gospels, for use in a religious service; as, the gospel for the day.
Gospel
Any system of religious doctrine; sometimes, any system of political doctrine or social philosophy; as, this political gospel.
Gospel
Anything propounded or accepted as infallibly true; as, they took his words for gospel.
If any one thinks this expression hyperbolical, I shall only ask him to read Œdipus, instead of taking the traditional witticisms about Lee for gospel.
Gospel
Accordant with, or relating to, the gospel; evangelical; as, gospel righteousness.
Gospel
To instruct in the gospel.
Gospel
Four books in the New Testament that tell the story of Christ's life and teachings
Gospel
An unquestionable truth;
His word was gospel
Gospel
A genre of a capella music originating with Black slaves in the United States and featuring call and response; influential on the development of other genres of popular music (especially soul)
Gospel
The written body of teachings of a religious group that are generally accepted by that group
Gospel
A doctrine that is believed to be of great importance;
Newton's writings were gospel for those who followed
Common Curiosities
What are the four Gospels?
The four Gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
Is the content of Gospel and Evangel the same?
The content of the Gospels includes specific details of Jesus's life, while Evangel refers more broadly to the Christian message of salvation as a whole.
Can Evangel be considered a part of the Bible?
No, Evangel is not a specific part of the Bible like the Gospels; it is a term that refers to the message contained in the Bible.
Why is Gospel important in Christianity?
The Gospels are crucial as they provide the primary accounts of Jesus’s life and teachings, forming the foundation of Christian belief.
Are there different types of Gospels?
Yes, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each have unique perspectives and are written for different audiences.
How is Evangel used in modern religious practice?
In modern contexts, Evangel often relates to evangelism, or the preaching and spreading of Christianity.
What role does Evangel play in Christian communities?
Evangel plays a significant role in the spreading of Christian beliefs and the outreach efforts of the community.
How does Evangel differ from the Gospels?
Evangel refers generally to the Christian message or the act of preaching, while the Gospels are specific texts that record Jesus’s life and teachings.
What is the impact of Gospel music in religious and secular contexts?
Gospel music significantly impacts both religious worship and secular music culture, known for its emotive power and distinctive style.
Is Evangel always associated with Christianity?
Yes, Evangel is specifically associated with the Christian message of salvation.
What is the significance of Evangel in missionary work?
Evangel is central to missionary work as it embodies the message missionaries aim to spread about salvation and faith in Jesus Christ.
How do historians view the Gospels?
Historians view the Gospels both as religious texts and sources of information about the historical context of the early Christian era.
Do all Christian denominations focus on Evangel?
While all Christian denominations acknowledge the importance of the Gospel message, the focus on actively spreading Evangel can vary among different groups.
Can someone be a Gospel writer today?
In a traditional sense, no, as the canonical Gospels are historical texts; however, modern authors can write about the Gospel message in different forms.
What distinguishes the Gospel of John from the other Gospels?
The Gospel of John is distinguished by its theological depth and focus on Jesus's divine nature, differing from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) which focus more on his ministry.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
