# Sons of God vs. The Only Begotten Son

Is Jesus God’s Only Son?

If Jesus is God’s “only begotten Son,” how can angels and Christians also be called God’s sons?

It is clear from Scripture that a primary title for Jesus is the “Son of God”:

• "And suddenly they cried out, saying, 'What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?'" (Matthew 8:29)
• "Truly You are the Son of God." (Matthew 14:33)

However, throughout Scripture, others are also referred to as "son(s) of God":

• Adam is called the "son of God" by creation (Luke 3:38).
• Angels are called the "sons of God" (Job 1:6, 38:7).
• Believers are called the "sons of God" by grace and adoption (Matthew 5:9; Romans 8:14; Galatians 3:26).

The Unique Begotten Son

The distinction lies in the nature of the sonship. "A son of God" or "sons of God" are titles used for created beings who either follow God, are created directly by Him (like angels and Adam), or are adopted by grace.

But the phrase “the Son of God” applied to Jesus Christ denotes an eternal, uncreated reality. He is called the “only begotten Son” (John 1:14, 3:16) and “His own Son” (Romans 8:3). As historical Christianity has affirmed from the beginning, Jesus is the Son by nature, eternally begotten of the Father, sharing the exact same divine essence. He is the second Person of the Godhead.

Created beings are sons by grace or creation; the Word is the Son by nature. Therefore, there is no contradiction. Jesus is the “only begotten” in a unique, eternal, and divine sense that no angelic being or human can share.