das  Evangelium

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɛvanˈɡeːliʊm/

📖 What does 'das Evangelium' mean?

The word Evangelium (neuter gender) comes from the Greek word euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον) and literally means “good news” or “glad tidings”.

• In Christianity: It primarily refers to the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, his life, work, death, and resurrection. It's the core message of the Christian faith.
• As a book: It also refers to one of the four Gospels in the New Testament of the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), which describe the life and teachings of Jesus.

The only article for Evangelium is das. It is always neuter.

Article rules for der, die, and das

A closer look at grammar: das Evangelium

The noun „Evangelium“ is neuter (sächlich). Here is its declension:

Singular Declension

Plural Declension

Example Sentences

1. Der Priester las am Sonntag aus dem Evangelium nach Matthäus.
   (The priest read from the Gospel according to Matthew on Sunday.)
2. Die Kernbotschaft des Christentums ist das Evangelium von Jesus Christus.
   (The core message of Christianity is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.)
3. In den vier Evangelien wird das Leben Jesu beschrieben.
   (The life of Jesus is described in the four Gospels.)
4. Das Verständnis des Evangeliums ist für Gläubige zentral.
   (Understanding the Gospel is central for believers.)

Usage in Context 🗣️

The term Evangelium is used almost exclusively in a religious, specifically Christian, context.

• Theology and Church: Here, it refers to the message of faith or the biblical texts.
• Everyday Language: Less common, and if used, often metaphorically for very important, positive news, although this is rather unusual and can sound slightly ironic (e.g., „Er verkündet das Ergebnis wie ein Evangelium.“ - He announces the result like a gospel.). In such cases, „frohe Botschaft“ (glad tidings) would be more common.

There is little risk of confusion, as the word is very specific. It is sometimes associated with „Evangelist“ (a person who proclaims the gospel).

💡 Memory Aids for 'das Evangelium'

1. Article Mnemonic: Think of das Buch (the book) of life or das Wort (the word) of God. Many important religious or abstract concepts in German are neuter (sächlich), like das Gebet (the prayer), das Glaubensbekenntnis (the creed). So too is das Evangelium.
2. Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine an angel (related to Evangelium) bringing good news from heaven. “Eu” (Greek) means “good,” “Angelion” means “message.” So: the “Good-Message”!

Word Connections: Synonyms & Antonyms 🔄

Synonyms

• Frohe Botschaft: (Glad tidings / Good news) Direct translation and frequently used synonym in religious contexts.
• Gute Nachricht: (Good news) Also a literal translation, slightly more general.
• Heilsbotschaft: (Message of salvation) Emphasizes the aspect of redemption and salvation in Christian belief.
• Wort Gottes: (Word of God) In a broader sense, when referring to inspired scripture.

Antonyms

Direct antonyms are difficult, as „Evangelium“ is a specific religious message. Possible conceptual opposites could be:

• Schlechte Nachricht / Hiobsbotschaft: (Bad news / Job's news) General opposite of “good news.”
• Gesetz (im theologischen Sinn): (Law [in the theological sense]) Sometimes seen as contrasting with the grace of the Gospel.
• Verdammnis / Unheilsbotschaft: (Damnation / Message of doom) Theological opposite of the message of salvation.

Similar but Different Terms

• Evangelisation: (Evangelism) The act of spreading the Gospel.
• Evangelist: (Evangelist) A person who proclaims the Gospel or one of the four Gospel authors.
• Evangelikal: (Evangelical) A Protestant movement strongly emphasizing the Gospel.

For a chuckle 😄

Fragt ein Schüler den Religionslehrer: „Herr Lehrer, was ist der Unterschied zwischen dem Matthäus-Evangelium und einem Schweizer Käse?“
Lehrer: „Ich weiß nicht?“
Schüler: „Dann sollten Sie vielleicht das Evangelium doch nochmal lesen!“

Translation:

A student asks the religion teacher: “Teacher, what's the difference between the Gospel of Matthew and Swiss cheese?”
Teacher: “I don't know?”
Student: “Well, then maybe you should read the Gospel again!”
(A little joke about familiarity with the text, not the content itself.)

A little Poem ✍️

Das Evangelium

Ein Wort, so alt, aus fernem Land,
Das Evangelium, von Gott gesandt.
Von Hoffnung kündet's, Licht und Heil,
Frohe Botschaft, wird uns zuteil.
In vier Büchern festgehalten,
Soll Trost und Glauben uns gestalten.

Translation:

The Gospel

A word so old, from a distant land,
The Gospel, sent by God's hand.
Of hope it tells, light and salvation,
Glad tidings, our elation.
Recorded in four books' lore,
To shape our faith and comfort pour.

Who or what am I? 🤔

Ich bin eine gute Nachricht, doch kein Brief.
Man findet mich in einem Buch, oft tief.
Vier Schreiber teilten meine Kernbotschaft mit der Welt,
Mein Name griechisch 'Gut-Botschaft' enthält.
Ich bin immer sächlich, merk dir das fein, wer bin ich wohl? Rate, schlau muss man sein!

Translation:

I am good news, but not a letter.
I'm found in a book, often deeper.
Four writers shared my core message with the world,
My name contains Greek for 'Good-Message' unfurled.
I am always neuter, remember this well,

Solution: Das Evangelium (The Gospel)

Trivia & Origin 🤓

• Etymology: The word comes from Greek euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον), meaning “good news” or “message of victory”. It is composed of eu- (εὖ-) meaning “good” and ángelos (ἄγγελος) meaning “messenger” or “message”.
• The Four Evangelists: The most famous Gospels are those of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament of the Bible. Their authors are also referred to as the Four Evangelists.
• Apocryphal Gospels: There are other, so-called apocryphal gospels (e.g., the Gospel of Thomas), which were not included in the official canon of the Bible.