Lexical Summary agathopoios: One who does good; a doer of good Original Word: ἀγαθοποιός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance beneficent, doing goodFrom agathos and poieo; a well-doer, i.e. Virtuous -- them that do well. see GREEK agathos see GREEK poieo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 17 agathopoiós (a substantival adjective, derived from 15 /agathopoiéō, "doing what is intrinsically good") – properly, one who does what is inherently good, i.e. what originates from God and is empowered by Him (used only in 1 Pet 2:14). See 18 (agathos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom agathos and poieó Definition doing well. Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 17: ἀγαθοποιόςἀγαθοποιός, , acting rightly, doing well: 1 Peter 2:14. (Sir. 42:14; Plutarch, de Isa. et Osir. § 42.) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Essence Strong’s Greek 17 (ἀγαθοποιῶν) portrays one whose character is marked by actively practicing good. It is more than a moral label; it depicts habitual, constructive beneficence that benefits others and honors God. In the immediate context of 1 Peter, it is set in deliberate contrast to “evildoers” (κακοποιῶν), underscoring a sharp moral divide between what is praiseworthy and what invites judgment. Biblical Usage Only once does the New Testament employ this form, in 1 Peter 2:14, where civil authorities are said to exist “for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do good”. The apostle Peter exhorts believers living under sometimes-hostile governments to silence ignorant accusations (1 Peter 2:15) by an unmistakable pattern of good deeds. The term therefore anchors Peter’s larger call for honorable conduct among the nations (1 Peter 2:12). Theological Implications 1. Divine Approval: Scripture consistently identifies good-doing as that which attracts the Lord’s commendation (Romans 2:6-7; Galatians 6:9). By using ἀγαθοποιῶν, Peter ties the believer’s civic life to God’s moral order. Historical Context Peter’s readers lived within the Roman Empire, where the emperor delegated authority to provincial governors. These officials rewarded benefactors with public acclaim, inscriptions, or civic privileges. By invoking that cultural practice—“praise of those who do good”—Peter urges Christians to excel in visible acts of public benefit, making persecution appear irrational. Application in Christian Ministry • Civic Engagement: Believers serve the common good—feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, promoting justice—so that governing bodies find it difficult to malign the church. Related Concepts • καλοποιέω (doing what is beautiful and noble) – Titus 3:8 These terms complement ἀγαθοποιῶν, together forming a New Testament vocabulary that celebrates active benevolence grounded in the gospel. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 17 calls Christians to a lifestyle that harmonizes with both God’s moral law and society’s genuine expectations of virtue. Even where rulers are unjust, persistent well-doing remains God’s ordained strategy for witness, commendation, and, ultimately, the advancement of His kingdom. Forms and Transliterations αγαθοποιων αγαθοποιών ἀγαθοποιῶν agathopoion agathopoiôn agathopoiōn agathopoiō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Peter 2:14 Adj-GMPGRK: ἔπαινον δὲ ἀγαθοποιῶν KJV: for the praise of them that do well. INT: praise moreover well doers |
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