gospel

Everyday

1. (Bible) The Gospels are the four books of the New Testament — Matthew, Mark, Luke and John — that tell the life, teaching, death and rising of Jesus. tree →
2. (church) The gospel is the "good news" of Jesus that Christians share. tree →
3. Gospel (music) is a joyful style of Christian music with roots in African American churches. tree →
4. (informal) "Gospel truth" or "take it as gospel" means something completely true. tree →

In the lessons

In church, the Gospel reading is often read standing, as a mark of respect. Gospel choirs sing with clapping and strong harmonies. In everyday talk, "Don't take everything you read online as gospel" means check it. Phrases: the Gospel of Luke, the gospel truth, gospel choir, preach the gospel.

Examples

• Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are the four Gospels. tree →
• The priest read from the Gospel of John. tree →
• The gospel choir made everyone clap along. tree →
• It's the gospel truth — I didn't touch your sweets! tree →
• Don't take every website as gospel. tree →
• The disciples went out to preach the gospel. tree →
• It was not the gospel he read, but an old story-book; therefore she might stay and listen to him. tree →

Note

Capital G often for the books or the Christian message; small g for music and "gospel truth". The word comes from Old English "good news". Countable for the books.