gospel

USAGE SUMMARY

"gospel" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used as a noun refers to any of the four books in the Christian New Testament that tell the story of Jesus. For example, "The Gospel of Mark is one of the four books of the New Testament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Religion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The fact that it all went so horribly wrong, a rare victory for the anti-realpolitik school, and amid so much suffering, has encouraged them to preach the non-interventionist gospel (western intervention, that is), with unhappy results for a lot of Syrians.

The Guardian

And it seems that in Britain they preach the gospel of a free-for-all to a sympathetic audience.

The Guardian - Opinion

She also likes to sing gospel - soprano style - and puts in a fairly physical performance.

The Guardian - Travel

I sing the second verse and maybe the middle eight, then there's a key change, a gospel choir and some ad-libs, the end".

The Guardian - Music

One hopes, on some fundamental level, that somebody actually said out loud: "The thing that's kept black people from voting Republican is not enough gospel versions of white rap".

The Guardian - Opinion

From the back, next to the naughty kids pinging bands at each other, we listened to the gospel choir's hair-raising harmonies and a minister preaching about Jesus "a rumblin' in the tomb".

The Guardian - Travel

Her previous outings had an unvarnished, pre-war gospel quality, helped in part by Spx's self-taught, unique guitar tunings.

The Guardian

Some minor postal official will have seen the president's attribution, echoed on myriad websites, and taken that as gospel.

The Guardian - Books

Gantry lusts for power yet can't resist the desires of the flesh and, although he preaches the gospel in many forms, he does not believe a word of it.

The Guardian - Books

The villain of "The Swimmers" is a rich, vulgar banker who preaches an updated version of the gilded age's "gospel of wealth": "Money is power … Money made this country, built its great and glorious cities, created its industries, covered it with an iron network of railroads".

The Guardian - Books

There was 25 minutes of music preceding the speech, including a gospel choir performing Eminem's Lose Yourself.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gospel" in a non-religious context, ensure it clearly conveys a message of positive or transformative potential. For example, use "gospel of efficiency" to mean promoting methods to improve productivity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "gospel" in contexts where it may sound forced or unnatural. Alternatives like "principle", "message", or "doctrine" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gospel" is as a noun, referring to the teachings of Jesus Christ or a set of beliefs. Ludwig confirms this usage, providing examples of both religious and metaphorical applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Music

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "gospel" primarily functions as a noun, denoting either the teachings of Jesus Christ or a broader set of beliefs, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its communicative purpose ranges from informing to inspiring, with the formality level varying based on context—formal in religious settings and neutral to informal in metaphorical uses. The term is frequently encountered in News & Media, Music, and Formal & Business contexts. When using "gospel", ensure the context aligns with its intended meaning, whether religious or secular, and consider synonyms like "good news" or "doctrine" for alternative expressions. Avoid overusing "gospel" in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

good news

Focuses on the positive aspect and impact of the message.

evangelical message

Emphasizes the act of spreading a belief or doctrine.

religious doctrine

Highlights the formal and established nature of the teachings.

creed

Refers to a set of beliefs or principles.

article of faith

Emphasizes a specific belief that is central to a faith.

sacred text

Highlights the holy or revered nature of the writing.

scripture

Indicates writings considered authoritative or sacred.

dogma

Points to an official system of principles or tenets.

teaching

Focuses on the act of imparting knowledge or beliefs.

message

Refers to the core idea or information being communicated.

FAQs

How is "gospel" used in a sentence?

The word "gospel" can refer to the teachings of Jesus Christ, as in, "He preached the "gospel" to all nations." It can also be used to describe a set of beliefs, such as "the "gospel of efficiency"".

What are some synonyms for "gospel"?

Synonyms for "gospel" include "good news", "doctrine", and "creed". The best choice depends on the specific context in which you are using the word.

What is the difference between "gospel" and "gospels"?

"Gospel" usually refers to the teachings of Christ or a specific message, while "Gospels" refers to the four books of the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

Can "gospel" be used outside of a religious context?

Yes, "gospel" can be used metaphorically to describe any set of beliefs or principles that someone strongly advocates. For example, one might speak of "the "gospel of hard work"".