19. agathosune

Lexicon

agathosune: Goodness

Original Word: ἀγαθωσύνη
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: agathosune
Pronunciation: ag-ath-o-soo'-nay
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-ath-o-soo'-nay)
Definition: Goodness
Meaning: intrinsic goodness, especially as a personal quality, with stress on the kindly (rather than the righteous) side of goodness.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

goodness.

From agathos; goodness, i.e. Virtue or beneficence -- goodness.

see GREEK agathos

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 19 agathōsýnē (from 18 /agathós, "inherently good," see there) – properly, intrinsic goodness (especially as a unique quality and condition, note the -synē suffix); as relating to believers, the goodness that comes from God (Souter) and showing itself in spiritual, moral excellence (virtue).

19 (agathōsynē) occurs four times in the NT, and is apparently strictly a biblical term, i.e. it does not seem to appear at all in secular Greek/the papyri (see N. Turner, Christian Words, 89). See 18 (agathos).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 19: ἀγαθωσύνη

ἀγαθωσύνη, (ης, ἡ (on its formation see Winers Grammar, 95 (90); WHs Appendix, p. 152), found only in Biblical and ecclesiastical writings, uprightness of heart and life (A. V. goodness): 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Galatians 5:22 (unless here it denote kindness, beneficence); Romans 15:14; Ephesians 5:9. (Cf. Trench, § lxiii.; Ellicott and Lightfoot on Galatians, the passage cited.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from ἀγαθός (agathos), meaning "good."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek concept of ἀγαθωσύνη is closely related to several Hebrew terms that convey goodness and uprightness, such as:
• טוֹב (tov) [Strong's Hebrew 2896]: Often translated as "good," this term is used to describe that which is pleasing, beneficial, or morally right.
• יָשָׁר (yashar) [Strong's Hebrew 3477]: Meaning "upright" or "straight," this term is used to describe moral integrity and righteousness.
• חֶסֶד (chesed) [Strong's Hebrew 2617]: Often translated as "lovingkindness" or "mercy," this term encompasses the idea of covenantal loyalty and benevolent action.

These Hebrew terms provide a foundation for understanding the New Testament concept of ἀγαθωσύνη as a reflection of God's character and an essential aspect of the believer's life.

Usage: The word ἀγαθωσύνη is used in the New Testament to describe a virtue that reflects the moral and ethical goodness expected of believers. It is often associated with the fruit of the Spirit and is indicative of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Context: ἀγαθωσύνη appears in the New Testament primarily in the Pauline epistles, where it is used to describe a characteristic of the Christian life. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Here, ἀγαθωσύνη is translated as "goodness," highlighting the moral integrity and benevolence that should be evident in a believer's life.

In Ephesians 5:9, the term is used to describe the fruit of light: "for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth." This passage emphasizes that goodness is a product of living in the light of Christ, contrasting with the deeds of darkness.

Additionally, in 2 Thessalonians 1:11, Paul prays for the Thessalonian believers, asking God to "fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power." Here, ἀγαθωσύνη is associated with the fulfillment of God's will and the manifestation of faith through good works.

The concept of ἀγαθωσύνη in the New Testament is deeply rooted in the character of God, who is the ultimate standard of goodness. Believers are called to reflect this divine attribute in their interactions with others, demonstrating a life marked by moral excellence and active benevolence.

Forms and Transliterations

αγαθωσυνη αγαθωσύνη ἀγαθωσύνη ἀγαθωσύνῃ αγαθωσυνήν αγαθωσύνην αγαθωσυνης αγαθωσύνης ἀγαθωσύνης αγαλλίαμα αγαλλίαμά αγαλλιάματι αγαλλιάματος agathosune agathōsunē agathosunes agathōsunēs agathosyne agathosýne agathōsynē agathōsýnē agathosýnei agathōsýnēi agathosynes agathosýnes agathōsynēs agathōsýnēs

Englishman's Concordance

Romans 15:14 N-GFS
GRK: μεστοί ἐστε ἀγαθωσύνης πεπληρωμένοι πάσης
NAS: are full of goodness, filled
KJV: are full of goodness, filled with all
INT: full are of goodness being filled with all

Galatians 5:22 N-NFS
GRK: μακροθυμία χρηστότης ἀγαθωσύνη πίστις
NAS: kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
KJV: gentleness, goodness, faith,
INT: patience kindness goodness faithfulness

Ephesians 5:9 N-DFS
GRK: ἐν πάσῃ ἀγαθωσύνῃ καὶ δικαιοσύνῃ
NAS: [consists] in all goodness and righteousness
KJV: [is] in all goodness and righteousness
INT: in all goodness and righteousness

2 Thessalonians 1:11 N-GFS
GRK: πᾶσαν εὐδοκίαν ἀγαθωσύνης καὶ ἔργον
NAS: desire for goodness and the work
KJV: the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and
INT: every good pleasure of goodness and work

Strong's Greek 19
4 Occurrences

ἀγαθωσύνη — 2 Occ.
ἀγαθωσύνης — 2 Occ.