Lexical Summary agathos: Good, beneficial, virtuous Original Word: ἀγαθός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance benefit, goods thingsA primary word; "good" (in any sense, often as noun) -- benefit, good(-s, things), well. Compare kalos. see GREEK kalos HELPS Word-studies 18 agathós – inherently (intrinsically) good; as to the believer, 18 (agathós) describes what originates from God and is empowered by Him in their life, through faith. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain origin Definition good NASB Translation generous (1), good (81), good man (2), good thing (6), good things (6), goodness (1), goods (2), kind (1), kindly (1), kindness (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 18: ἀγαθόςἀγαθός, (ή, (akin to ἄγαμαι to wonder at, think highly of, ἀγαστός admirable, as explained by Plato, Crat., p. 412 c. (others besides; cf. Donaldson, New Crat. § 323)), in general denotes"perfectus, ... qui habet in se ac facit omnia quae habere et facere debet pro notione nominis, officio ac lege" (Irmisch ad Herodian, 1, 4, p. 134), excelling in any respect, distinguished, good. It can be predicated of persons, things, conditions, qualities and affections of the soul, deeds, times and seasons. To this general significance can be traced back all those senses which the word gathers from the connection in which it stands; 1. of a good constitution or nature: γῆ, Luke 8:8; δένδρον, Matthew 7:18, in sense equivalent to 'fertile soil,' 'a fruitful tree,' (Xenophon, oec. 16, 7 γῆ ἀγαθή, ... γῆ κακῇ, an. 2, 4, 22 χώρας πολλῆς καί ἀγαθῆς οὔσης). In Luke 8:15 ἀγαθή καρδία corresponds to the figurative expression good ground, and denotes a soul inclined to goodness, and accordingly eager to learn saving truth and ready to bear the fruits (καρπούς ἀγαθούς, James 3:17) of a Christian life. 2. useful, salutary: δόσις ἀγαθή (joined to δώρημα τέλειον) a gift which is truly a gift, salutary, James 1:17; δόματα ἀγαθά, Matthew 7:11; ἐντολή ἀγαθός a commandment profitable to those who keep it, Romans 7:12, according to a Greek scholium equivalent to εἰς τό συμφέρον ἐισηγουμένη, hence, the question in Romans 7:13: τό οὖν ἀγαθόν ἐμοί γέγονε θάνατος; ἀγαθός μερίς the 'good part,' which insures salvation to him who chooses it, Luke 10:42; ἔργον ἀγαθόν (differently in Romans 2:7, etc.) the saving work of God, i. e. substantially, the Christian life, due to divine efficiency, Philippians 1:6 (cf. the commentaries at the passage); εἰς ἀγαθόν for good, to advantage, Romans 8:28 (Sir. 7:13; πάντα τοῖς ἐυσεβέσι εἰς ἀγαθά ... τοῖς ἁμαρτωλοῖς εἰς κακά, Sir. 39:27; τό κακόν ... γίγνεται εἰς ἀγαθόν, Theognis 162); good for, suited to something: πρός οἰκοδομήν, Ephesians 4:29 (cf. Winers Grammar, 363 (340)) (Xenophon, mem. 4, 6, 10). 3. of the feeling awakened by what is good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy: ἡμέραι ἀγαθάς 1 Peter 3:10 (Psalm 33:13 4. excellent, distinguished: so τί ἀγαθόν, John 1:46 (John 1:47). 5. upright, honorable: Matthew 12:34; Matthew 19:16; Luke 6:45; Acts 11:24; 1 Peter 3:11, etc.; πονηροί καί ἀγαθοί, Matthew 5:45; Matthew 22:10; ἀγαθός καί δίκαιος, Luke 23:50; καρδία ἀγαθή καί καλή, Luke 8:15 (see καλός, b.); fulfilling the duty or service demanded, δοῦλε ἀγαθέ καί πιστέ, Matthew 25:21, 23; upright, free from guile, particularly from a desire to corrupt the people, John 7:12; preeminently of God, as consummately and essentially good, Matthew 19:17 (Mark 10:18; Luke 18:19); ἀγαθός θησαυρός in Matthew 12:35; Luke 6:45 denotes the soul considered as the repository of pure thoughts which are brought forth in speech; πίστις ἀγαθός the fidelity due from a servant to his master, Titus 2:10 (WH marginal reading omits); on ἀγαθόν ἔργον, ἀγαθά ἔργα, see ἔργον. In a narrower sense, benevolent, kind, generous: Matthew 20:15; 1 Peter 2:18; μνεία, 1 Thessalonians 3:6 (cf. 2 Macc. 7:20); beneficent (Xenophon, Cyril 3, 3, 4; טוב, Jeremiah 33:11; Psalm 34:9; Cicero, nat. deor. 2, 25, 64 "optimus i. e.beneficentissimus), Romans 5:7, where the meaning is, Hardly for an innocent man does one encounter death; for if he even dares hazard his life for another, he does so for a benefactor (one from whom he has received favors); cf. Winer's Grammar, 117 (111); (Gifford in the Speaker's Commentary, p. 123). The neuter used substantively denotes: 1. a good thing, convenience, advantage, and in partic. a. in the plural, external goods, riches: Luke 1:53; Luke 12:18f. (Sir. 14:4; Wis. 7:11); τά ἀγαθά σου comforts and delights which thy wealth procured for thee in abundance, Luke 16:25 (opposed to κακά, as in Sir. 11:14); outward and inward good things, Galatians 6:6, cf. Wieseler at the passage. b. the benefits of the Messianic kingdom: Romans 10:15; τά μέλλοντα ἀγαθῶν, Hebrews 9:11; Hebrews 10:1. 2. what is upright, honorable, and acceptable to God: Romans 12:2; ἐργάζεσθαι τό ἀγαθόν Romans 2:10; Ephesians 4:28; πράσσειν, Romans 9:11; (2 Corinthians 5:10); διώκειν, 1 Thessalonians 5:15; μιμεῖσθαι, 3 John 1:11; κολλᾶσθαι τῷ ἀγαθῷ Romans 12:9; τί με ἐρωτᾷς περί τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ, Matthew 19:17 G L T Tr WH, where the word expresses the general idea of right. Specifically, what is salutary, suited to the course of human affairs: in the phrase διάκονος εἰς τό ἀγαθόν Romans 13:4; of rendering service, Galatians 6:10; Romans 12:21; τό ἀγαθόν σου the favor thou conferrest, Philemon 1:14. ("It is to be regarded as a peculiarity in the usage of the Sept. that טוב good is predominantly (?) rendered by καλός.... The translator of Genesis uses ἀγαθός only in the neuter, good, goods, and this has been to a degree the model for the other translators. ... In the Greek O. T., where οἱ δίκαιοι is the technical designation of the pious, οἱ ἀγαθοί or ὁ ἀγαθός does not occur in so general a sense. The ἀνήρ ἀγαθός is peculiar only to the Proverbs (Proverbs 13:22, 24; Proverbs 15:3); cf. besides the solitary instance in 1 Kings 2:32. Thus, even in the usage of the O. T. we are reminded of Christ's words, Mark 10:18, οὐδείς ἀγαθός εἰ μή εἷς ὁ Θεός. In the O. T. the term 'righteous' makes reference rather to a covenant and to one's relation to a positive standard; ἀγαθός would express the absolute idea of moral goodness" (Zezschwitz, Profangraec. u. Biblical Sprachgeist, Leipz. 1859, p. 60). Cf. Tittm., p. 19. On the comparison of ἀγαθός see B. 27 (24).) The ἀγαθός word‐group portrays what accords with God’s character and promotes His purposes. It can describe moral virtue (Romans 7:12), beneficent action (Galatians 6:10), wholesome condition (Luke 8:15), material blessing (Luke 1:53), or eschatological reward (John 5:29). Context decides whether the nuance is ethical, practical, relational, or eschatological, yet every use is tethered to the conviction that true “good” is defined by God and revealed in His Son and word. The Absolute Goodness of God Jesus declared, “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). This foundational assertion safeguards the transcendence of divine goodness and sets the standard for every other use. God’s goodness is: • Creative: “God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1, LXX). James 1:17 gathers these threads: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” Jesus Christ and the Question of ‘Good Teacher’ When the rich ruler addressed Jesus as “Good Teacher” (Luke 18:18), the Lord replied, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:19). Far from denying His deity, Jesus pressed the ruler to recognize that acknowledging His goodness entailed confessing His divine identity and authority. The passage anchors New Testament christology in the absolute goodness already ascribed to God. Goodness and the Law Romans 7 highlights the Law’s inherent goodness while exposing human inability: • “So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good” (Romans 7:12). The Law reflects God’s moral goodness, yet can only condemn the sinner who lacks the Spirit’s life. Thus “the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us” (Romans 8:4) through the gospel. Good Works Prepared for Believers Salvation is “not by works” yet “for good works”: • “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Good works are the Spirit’s fruit (Galatians 5:22–23 implied), evidence of faith (James 3:13; 1 Timothy 5:10), and a witness that silences critics (1 Peter 2:15). Good Conscience and Integrity in Ministry A “good conscience” safeguards authentic ministry: • Paul before the Sanhedrin: “I have lived before God in all good conscience to this day” (Acts 23:1). Integrity, transparency, and ethical consistency flow from the regenerated heart. Good Soil and Receptivity to the Word The parable of the sower distinguishes “the seed on good soil” (Luke 8:15). Such hearts: 1. “hear the word,” Fruitfulness arises not from innate human quality but from God’s preparatory grace, illustrating how goodness is both received and reproduced. Good Things: Material and Eschatological Dimensions • Temporal blessing: “He has filled the hungry with good things” (Luke 1:53). Thus present gifts are to be enjoyed with gratitude and invested with eternity in view. Doing Good to All Christian ethics extends goodness beyond the household of faith: • “Let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith” (Galatians 6:10). Active benevolence reflects God’s common grace and opens doors for gospel testimony. Goodness in Pastoral Encouragement New Testament writers repeatedly encourage believers with the prospect and presence of goodness: • “May the Lord… establish you in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17). Pastors and teachers draw on these promises to nurture confidence, perseverance, and joyful service. Summary Every occurrence of ἀγαθός in the New Testament converges on one theological axis: God is good, and He purposes to share and display that goodness in creation, redemption, sanctification, and consummation. From the Law’s demands to the Spirit’s enablement, from Christ’s perfect life to the believer’s daily walk, goodness is both the divine standard and the gracious gift that shapes the life and hope of the people of God. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:45 Adj-AMPGRK: πονηροὺς καὶ ἀγαθοὺς καὶ βρέχει NAS: on [the] evil and [the] good, and sends rain KJV: and on the good, and INT: evil and good and sends rain Matthew 7:11 Adj-ANP Matthew 7:11 Adj-ANP Matthew 7:17 Adj-NNS Matthew 7:18 Adj-NNS Matthew 12:34 Adj-ANP Matthew 12:35 Adj-NMS Matthew 12:35 Adj-GMS Matthew 12:35 Adj-ANP Matthew 19:16 Adj-ANS Matthew 19:17 Adj-GNS Matthew 19:17 Adj-NMS Matthew 20:15 Adj-NMS Matthew 22:10 Adj-AMP Matthew 25:21 Adj-VMS Matthew 25:23 Adj-VMS Mark 10:17 Adj-VMS Mark 10:18 Adj-AMS Mark 10:18 Adj-NMS Luke 1:53 Adj-GMP Luke 6:45 Adj-NMS Luke 6:45 Adj-GMS Luke 6:45 Adj-ANS Luke 8:8 Adj-AFS Luke 8:15 Adj-DFS Strong's Greek 18 |
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