Greek word - (euaggelizo G2097)
Quiz - Choose the answer that is closest to what you think PREACH THE GOSPEL is.
A - to deliver a sermon about salvation
B - to share the good news
C - to speak publicly about salvation
D - to speak persuasively from the Bible
Problem - Misleading, Incorrect
KJV Example - "And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ" (Acts 5:42).
Explanation
The Greek word for preach the gospel (euaggelizo) is the verb of gospel (euaggelion). So literally it means to gospel.
Since gospel is good news, it is literally to good news. Used in a sentence, you could say, "The preacher good newed to him."
Since English does not have such a verb, and good news is a noun, a verb has to be added to good news to get the same effect.
The King James Version adds the word, preach - preach the gospel. Other versions use proclaim, announce, or tell. I translate it as to share good news or to tell good news.
The King James Version translation of euaggelizo, preach the gospel, conflicts with its translation of another Greek word. Preach is the same translation that is used for kerusso. Sometimes kerusso is used with the word, gospel (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; Mark 1:14; 16:15). When this happens the King James Version translates it as preach the gospel which is the exact same translation as euaggelizo (preach the gospel).
Other times the King James Version leaves the word, gospel, off (Luke 3:18; 4:43; 16:16; Acts 5:42; 8:4, 12, 35, 40; 10:36; 11:20; 14:15; 15:35; 17:18; 1 Corinthians 15:1, 2; Galatians 1:16, 23; Ephesians 2:17; 3:8; Hebrews 4:6) and translates this verb (euaggelizo) as "preach" which is also how it translates kerusso. This is not right because euaggelizo is not the same thing as kerusso. Euaggelizo is about the gospel (the good news). The gospel or good news should be mentioned.
When both verbs (kerusso and euaggelizo) show up in the same verse (Luke 4:18; 8:1; Romans 10:15), it can get confusing in the King James Version.
I corrected this in the Breakthrough Versions by having different translations for euaggelizo (share the good news) and kerusso (speak publicly) and by always translating them consistently.
What is euaggelizo? First, you have to have some good news. Let's say a new convenience store is giving away free 20 oz. fountain drinks. This is good news to most people. When you tell people about this, that is euaggelizo.
This idea is mentioned in Isaiah 40:9 when it is foretelling the coming of the Messiah. When the Messiah comes, Zion and Jerusalem are to be tellers of good tidings. They are told to get up in the high mountain and lift up their voice with strength. They are not to be afraid and they are to tell the cities of Judah, "Look, your God."
It is good news that the Messiah, the Anointed King, has come as prophesied. It is also good news that He is our God. Euaggelizo is telling people this good news.
Jesus came telling good news to the poor. Paul also told of the good news of the Anointed King. We should do the same.
In the Bible, preach the gospel is tell the good news or share the good news.
Modern Synonym - to tell good news, to share good news
Bible Version Tally (how other versions translate this word) - preach (without mention of the gospel or good news - 21 of 50)
Breakthrough Version - "And every day, on the temple grounds and in each house, they did not quit teaching and sharing the good news of the Anointed King Jesus." (Acts 5:42).