guðspjall

Guðspjall is the Icelandic term for the Gospel, used to refer to both the message of the Christian gospel and to the four canonical Gospels in the New Testament—the accounts traditionally titled the Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In Icelandic usage, guðspjall can denote the overall proclamation of God’s good news as well as the individual books.

Etymology and scope: The word guðspjall combines guð (God) with spjall (tidings, news, message). It is the standard Icelandic rendering of the concept commonly translated as “gospel.” In biblical texts, guðspjallið or guðspjallin is used for the Gospels, while guðspjall can also refer to the gospel message proclaimed to believers.

Contents and usage: The Gospels narrate the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and form a central part of the New Testament. They are read in church services and form the basis of Christian doctrine regarding Jesus’ identity and mission. Weaving through the four books are distinct emphases: narrative portraits of Jesus and his ministry, parables and miracles, passion and resurrection narratives, and theological reflections on who Jesus is.

History: The term guðspjall has been used in Icelandic Bible tradition since medieval times. The first complete Icelandic Bible was published in 1584 under Guðbrandur Þorláksson, building on earlier translations such as the New Testament in 1540 by Oddur Gottskálksson. Modern revisions and translations have continued to standardize the Icelandic terminology for guðspjall in contemporary usage.