Declared to be the Son of God

concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Romans 1:3-4, NKJV

It was the gospel--good news--concerning Jesus Christ.

God's son.

Our Lord.

It was good news because of who He was, and His identity is found in the meaning of His Name:

Jesus: Yahweh (the covenant keeping name of God) is salvation

Christ: the anointed, chosen and appointed one

In the flesh, He was the Son of man, more specifically the Son of David--the shepherd-king, Psalmist, and man after God's own heart. He was the heir of David's kingdom and throne, the fulfillment of God's promise and covenant with David. That's who He was born. But it was not all that he was.

In the flesh, He was born of the seed of David. But before he was flesh, he was already God! and after His earthly assignment ended in His death, He was still the son of God.

He was born of the seed of David, but He was declared to be the Son of God.

Gabriel declared it to Mary at His conception, and to Joseph in a dream.

Angels declared it to shepherds, and the stars declared it to kings at His birth.

Scholars declared it to Herod.

The Spirit declared it to Elizabeth.

He declared it to Mary and Joseph at the age of twelve.

God declared it from heaven three times--once at His baptism, later on the Mount of Transfiguration, and thirdly just before His crucifixion.

Peter declared it in faith.

Pilate and Herod declared it in ignorant unbelief.

The High Priest declared it in derision.

The thief on the cross declared it in hope.

The soldier declared it in revelation.

But the greatest declaration of all was made in the grave, after Jesus' body had lain dead in the tomb for three days and three nights. When the power of the Spirit of holiness breathed life back into the mortal body, giving Jesus the son of God victory over death--and immortality!