18. agathos
Lexical Summary
agathos: Good, beneficial, virtuous

Original Word: ἀγαθός
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: agathos
Pronunciation: ä-gä-thos'
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-ath-os')
KJV: benefit, good(-s, things), well
NASB: good, good thing, good things, good man, goods, generous, goodness
Word Origin: [a primary word]

1. good
{in any sense, often as noun}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
benefit, goods things

A 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 Origin
of 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: ἀγαθός

ἀγαθός, , (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 (); Sir. 14:14; 1 Macc. 10:55); ἐλπίς, 2 Thessalonians 2:16 (μακαρία ἐλπίς, Titus 2:13); συνείδησις, a peaceful conscience, equivalent to consciousness of rectitude, Acts 23:1; 1 Timothy 1:5, 19; 1 Peter 3:16; reconciled to God, 1 Peter 3:21.

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 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 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).)

Topical Lexicon
Scope and Range of New Testament Usage

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).
• Providential: “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good” (Matthew 5:45).
• Redemptive: “He works all things together for good to those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).

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).
• “What is good became death to me? Certainly not!” (Romans 7:13).

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).
• Scripture equips “the man of God… for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17).
• Believers are to “learn to devote themselves to good works” (Titus 3:14).

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).
• The goal of instruction: “love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).
• Baptism appeals to God “for a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:21).

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,”
2. “retain it,”
3. “by persevering produce a crop.”

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).
• Wealth’s stewardship: the rich fool’s “many good things” (Luke 12:18–19) warns against hoarding.
• Eternal reward: “those who have done good will rise to a resurrection of life” (John 5:29); “each will receive what is due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

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).
• “See that no one repays evil for evil, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
• Even slaves are urged to be “submissive… not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust” (1 Peter 2:18).

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).
• “May the God of peace… equip you with every good thing to do His will” (Hebrews 13:20–21).
• “I am confident that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it” (Philippians 1:6).

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.

Forms and Transliterations
αγαθα αγαθά ἀγαθά ἀγαθὰ αγαθαί αγαθας αγαθάς ἀγαθάς αγαθε αγαθέ ἀγαθέ ἀγαθὲ αγαθη αγαθή ἀγαθή ἀγαθὴ ἀγαθῇ αγαθην αγαθήν ἀγαθήν ἀγαθὴν αγαθης αγαθής ἀγαθῆς αγαθοί αγαθοις αγαθοίς ἀγαθοῖς αγαθον αγαθόν ἀγαθόν ἀγαθὸν αγαθος αγαθός αγάθος ἀγαθός ἀγαθὸς αγαθου αγαθού ἀγαθοῦ αγαθους αγαθούς ἀγαθούς ἀγαθοὺς αγαθύναι αγαθυνάτω αγαθυνεί αγαθύνης αγαθυνθέντων αγαθυνθή αγαθυνθήσεται αγαθυνθήτω αγάθυνον αγαθω αγαθώ ἀγαθῷ αγαθων αγαθών ἀγαθῶν αγαθώς αγαθώσαι ηγάθυνας ηγαθύνθη agatha agathá agathà agathas agathás agathe agathé agathè agathē agathḗ agathḕ agathêi agathē̂i agathen agathēn agathḗn agathḕn agathes agathês agathēs agathē̂s agatho agathō agathôi agathō̂i agathois agathoîs agathon agathón agathòn agathôn agathōn agathō̂n agathos agathós agathòs agathou agathoû agathous agathoús agathoùs
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Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 5:45 Adj-AMP
GRK: 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
GRK: οἴδατε δόματα ἀγαθὰ διδόναι τοῖς
NAS: to give good gifts
KJV: know how to give good gifts unto your
INT: know [how] gifts good to give to the

Matthew 7:11 Adj-ANP
GRK: οὐρανοῖς δώσει ἀγαθὰ τοῖς αἰτοῦσιν
NAS: give what is good to those
KJV: give good things to them that ask
INT: heavens will give good things to them that ask

Matthew 7:17 Adj-NNS
GRK: πᾶν δένδρον ἀγαθὸν καρποὺς καλοὺς
NAS: So every good tree bears
KJV: Even so every good tree bringeth forth
INT: every tree good good fruits good

Matthew 7:18 Adj-NNS
GRK: δύναται δένδρον ἀγαθὸν καρποὺς πονηροὺς
NAS: A good tree cannot
KJV: A good tree cannot
INT: is able a tree good fruits evil

Matthew 12:34 Adj-ANP
GRK: πῶς δύνασθε ἀγαθὰ λαλεῖν πονηροὶ
NAS: speak what is good? For the mouth
KJV: evil, speak good things? for out of
INT: how are you able good things to speak evil

Matthew 12:35 Adj-NMS
GRK: ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος ἐκ
NAS: The good man brings
KJV: A good man out of
INT: The good man out of

Matthew 12:35 Adj-GMS
GRK: ἐκ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ θησαυροῦ ἐκβάλλει
NAS: brings out of [his] good treasure
KJV: out of the good treasure
INT: out of his good treasure puts forth

Matthew 12:35 Adj-ANP
GRK: θησαυροῦ ἐκβάλλει ἀγαθά καὶ ὁ
NAS: treasure what is good; and the evil
KJV: bringeth forth good things: and
INT: treasure puts forth good things and the

Matthew 19:16 Adj-ANS
GRK: Διδάσκαλε τί ἀγαθὸν ποιήσω ἵνα
NAS: what good thing shall I do
KJV: and said unto him, Good Master, what
INT: Teacher what good [thing] shall I do that

Matthew 19:17 Adj-GNS
GRK: περὶ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ εἷς ἐστὶν
NAS: what is good? There is [only] One
KJV: me good? [there is] none
INT: about what is good Only One is

Matthew 19:17 Adj-NMS
GRK: ἐστὶν ὁ ἀγαθός εἰ δὲ
NAS: There is [only] One who is good; but if
KJV: good? [there is] none good but one,
INT: is good if moreover

Matthew 20:15 Adj-NMS
GRK: ὅτι ἐγὼ ἀγαθός εἰμι
NAS: because I am generous?'
KJV: I am good?
INT: because I generous am

Matthew 22:10 Adj-AMP
GRK: τε καὶ ἀγαθούς καὶ ἐπλήσθη
NAS: evil and good; and the wedding hall
KJV: bad and good: and the wedding
INT: both and good and became full

Matthew 25:21 Adj-VMS
GRK: Εὖ δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ
NAS: to him, 'Well done, good and faithful
KJV: Well done, [thou] good and
INT: Well done servant good and faithful

Matthew 25:23 Adj-VMS
GRK: Εὖ δοῦλε ἀγαθὲ καὶ πιστέ
NAS: to him, 'Well done, good and faithful
KJV: unto him, Well done, good and faithful
INT: Well done servant good and faithful

Mark 10:17 Adj-VMS
GRK: αὐτόν Διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ τί ποιήσω
NAS: Him, and asked Him, Good Teacher,
KJV: and asked him, Good Master, what
INT: him Teacher good what shall I do

Mark 10:18 Adj-AMS
GRK: με λέγεις ἀγαθόν οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς
NAS: do you call Me good? No one
KJV: me good? [there is] none
INT: me call you good No one [is] good

Mark 10:18 Adj-NMS
GRK: ἀγαθόν οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ μὴ
NAS: Me good? No one is good except God
KJV: good? [there is] none good but one,
INT: good No one [is] good if not

Luke 1:53 Adj-GMP
GRK: πεινῶντας ἐνέπλησεν ἀγαθῶν καὶ πλουτοῦντας
NAS: THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away
KJV: the hungry with good things; and
INT: [the] hungry he filled with good things and [the] rich

Luke 6:45 Adj-NMS
GRK: ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος ἐκ
NAS: The good man out of the good
KJV: A good man out of
INT: The good man out of

Luke 6:45 Adj-GMS
GRK: ἐκ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ θησαυροῦ τῆς
NAS: man out of the good treasure
KJV: man out of the good treasure of his
INT: out of the good treasure of the

Luke 6:45 Adj-ANS
GRK: προφέρει τὸ ἀγαθόν καὶ ὁ
NAS: forth what is good; and the evil
KJV: bringeth forth that which is good; and
INT: brings forth that which [is] good and the

Luke 8:8 Adj-AFS
GRK: γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν καὶ φυὲν
NAS: [seed] fell into the good soil,
KJV: fell on good ground, and
INT: ground good and having sprung up

Luke 8:15 Adj-DFS
GRK: καλῇ καὶ ἀγαθῇ ἀκούσαντες τὸν
NAS: in an honest and good heart,
KJV: an honest and good heart, having heard
INT: right and good having heard the

Strong's Greek 18
101 Occurrences


ἀγαθὰ — 11 Occ.
ἀγαθάς — 2 Occ.
ἀγαθὲ — 5 Occ.
ἀγαθῇ — 4 Occ.
ἀγαθήν — 8 Occ.
ἀγαθῆς — 2 Occ.
ἀγαθῷ — 7 Occ.
ἀγαθῶν — 6 Occ.
ἀγαθοῖς — 3 Occ.
ἀγαθὸν — 33 Occ.
ἀγαθὸς — 10 Occ.
ἀγαθοῦ — 8 Occ.
ἀγαθοὺς — 2 Occ.

17
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