To beget is an action based on the idea of race or offspring and refers to the male role in procreation; the father begets whereas the mother bears. The word ‘beget’ is the one most commonly used in genealogies to show the relationship between father and son, and it is also applied to indicate a person’s position and the result of certain kinds of behavior.

In Matthew 1:2, it is stated that Abraham begot Isaac, who then begot Jacob. The word ‘begot’ shows the line of descent from father to son. The fact that the genealogy of Christ refers to Mary, not Joseph, as the one who begot Christ is significant, since ‘begot’ is the term mainly used to describe the biological relationship between a man and his children. In Matthew 1:16, the genealogy changes from referring to the father to referring to Mary when it comes to Jesus. This change indicates the way in which Mary became pregnant. Even though she was a virgin, God caused a child to develop in her womb (Luke 1:30–31). The holy thing that she was to bear would provide a body for God the Son (Luke 1:35).

When quoting Psalm 2:7 in Acts 13:33 and announcing to the Jews in Antioch in Pisidia the gospel of the resurrected Christ, Paul aimed to show that God had carried out His promise; the idea of being begotten as a Son refers to Jesus’ position in his human nature before the Father. Paul makes the same quotation in Hebrews 1:5 and 5:5, in order to state that Jesus did not come from the angels but is the second Person of the Godhead (Hebrews 1:8). The term ‘begotten’ in this context does not mean birth but refers to the beginning of a position; Christ is the unique Son, whom the Father has placed as a son (John 1:18).

In John chapter three, Jesus states that a man must be born from above if he is to enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:3). This birth takes place by means of water even the Spirit (John 3:5; cf. John 7:38). A new birth is necessary if a man is to enter the kingdom. While Christ was carrying out his ministry on earth, he spoke about the coming of a new birth and gave those who received him the authority to become children of God (John 1:12). The Christian, since he is under the new covenant, has this new birth (Titus 3:5). It is therefore true that all who are in Christ are legitimate children of God (1 John 3:9). Since the Christian has been born again from above and is thus begotten by water even the Spirit, he is able to manifest righteousness (1 John 2:29) and has overcome the world (1 John 5:4). Even Satan himself cannot affect a Christian because of his new birth (1 John 5:18).

The origin of disputes may also be described by the term beget. The Christian is told to get rid of strong desires which are characteristic of youth, and to strive after righteousness, love, faith, peace and a clean heart. He should avoid foolish and uneducated investigations since such inquiries lead to conflicts (2 Timothy 2:22–23). The kind of inquiry referred to here comes from people who are not genuine learners. They argue about matters of purification, fables and genealogies, all of which are connected with the law and do not result in godliness (1 Timothy 1:4). A person who teaches in opposition to the sound teachings of the Lord and to the instruction concerning godliness is proud and knows nothing; this sort of person is obsessed with investigations and disputes about words. Envy, strife, blasphemy, and malicious evil suspicion arise among those who follow this way (1 Timothy 6:3–4).

Now also, Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes among myriads of his saints, to perform judgment against all, and convict all the ungodly concerning all their ungodly works in which they have acted impiously, and concerning all the harshness in which the ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” Jude 14–15.

From the very beginning of human history, God started to make known what was going to happen. Abel, who was the second person to descend from Adam, was the first prophet (Luke 11:50–51). Even though the details were not made clear, by the time of the seventh descendant of Adam, God had already made known His return. Enoch’s prophecy does not say who these saints will be who come with Him; it only states that myriads of saints will return with him. This is the first mention of the Church and the role Christians will have among the saints (Revelation 19:14).

At the time when the Lord returns, He will judge all the ungodly; this will take place at the end of the Tribulation period, when He establishes His kingdom on the earth. The fact that Enoch speaks of their ungodly works rather than their sins shows that a prior event before the Lord’s return will address sin. Since Christ made a propitiation on the cross for all sins, no one will be judged according to their sins; instead, their works will be assessed, and they will be given compensation for them (1 John 2:2; Revelation 20:13).

Let the one who is orally taught in the word share in all good things with the one who orally instructs (Galatians 6:6).

We have the obligation to pass on to those who teach us the Word by means of oral instruction all that is beneficial; this form of teaching involves learning by hearing and consists in repeating the Word so that the information can be transmitted to others. The things that are to be shared refer to what is advantageous, and this teaching must be carried out with clarity by means of the mind (1 Corinthians 14:19).

The saints in Thessalonica proclaimed the message of the Lord throughout Macedonia and all Achaia and thus in every place where they were known they showed their faith in God (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Since they had changed their way of life, Paul had no need to say anything about them; it was they themselves who made clear the kind of reception he had from them and the way in which they had turned away from idols to serve the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

In numerous instances the people who teach us like this are pastors or other saints who spend time with us in order to explain God’s word and the truths which are contained in it. The various ways in which good can be demonstrated concerns living out our Christian lives and our fellowship with the Lord. Whenever we love God, goodness is brought about in all areas (Romans 8:28). One element of goodness is to take part in God’s desirous will, as we work out the righteousness He wants for our lives over our own desires (Romans 12:2). We should hold on to what is good and reject what is wrong (Romans 12:21). When we build up one another we are doing good (Romans 15:2). Good things can also refer to physical things (Ephesians 4:28) and to what comes out of our mouths (Ephesians 4:29).

We should make it our aim to share among those who teach us all that is good, whether this involves joining them in fellowship or by giving them physical assistance; all such actions should be carried out by expressing a proper opinion of God through living out our identity in Christ and sharing that with those who teach us.