Lexical Summary agathosune: Goodness Original Word: ἀγαθωσύνη 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: ἀγαθωσύνηἀγαθωσύνη, (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 Group and Semantic Field This term belongs to the New Testament family that describes moral excellence and beneficent action. While other words in the group stress intrinsic virtue, this one highlights virtue actively expressed in generosity and righteous initiative toward others. Occurrences in Scripture 1. Galatians 5:22 – Identified as a facet of the Spirit’s fruit, inseparably joined to love, joy, and the other Spirit-produced qualities. Theological Significance The word captures the active outworking of divine character in redeemed humanity. It reflects the goodness of God revealed in creation (Genesis 1), in covenant faithfulness (Psalm 23:6), and climactically in the incarnation (Acts 10:38). In the epistles, it marks the believer as a visible sign of that same goodness, produced by the Holy Spirit and manifested through deeds that benefit others and honor God. Relation to Divine Character Because “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18), every genuine expression of this quality derives from Him. The Spirit internalizes and reproduces God’s goodness within believers, enabling them to serve as living testimonies to His moral perfection in everyday contexts. Ethical and Pastoral Implications • Discipleship: Teachers and mentors should cultivate environments where believers “instruct one another” (Romans 15:14), trusting that Spirit-given goodness equips the church for mutual edification. Historical Usage in the Church Early Christian writers viewed this quality as proof of genuine conversion, contrasting it with the civic virtue prized in Greco-Roman society. Reformers emphasized it as evidence of justifying faith, not the cause of it. Revival movements have repeatedly urged believers to display tangible goodness—care for the poor, integrity in commerce, and mercy in evangelism—as persuasive apologetics. Application for Ministry Today • Social Engagement: Congregations model the gospel by initiating acts of goodness—fostering adoption, disaster relief, and community development—as visible expressions of the kingdom. Key Passages for Meditation and Teaching Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:8–10; Romans 15:13–14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12; Psalm 23:6; Acts 10:38. 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 agathōsýnēsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 15:14 N-GFSGRK: 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 Ephesians 5:9 N-DFS 2 Thessalonians 1:11 N-GFS Strong's Greek 19 |