Lexical Summary kalós: Good, beautiful, noble, excellent, honorable Original Word: καλός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance wellAdverb from kalos; well (usually morally) -- (in a) good (place), honestly, + recover, (full) well. see GREEK kalos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2573 kalṓs(the adverbial form of 2570 /kalós) – well-perceived; viewed as good (advantageous, appealing), i.e. as "winsomely attractive." See 2570 (kalos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from kalos Definition well NASB Translation beautifully (1), commendably (1), correctly (1), experts (1), good (4), honorably (1), kind enough (1), quite right (1), recover* (1), right (2), rightly (5), very well (1), well (16), well enough (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2573: καλῶςκαλῶς (καλός), adverb (from Homer down), beautifully, finely, excellently, well: (universally, διά τό καλῶς οἰκοδομῆσθαι (Tr οἰκοδομεῖσθαι, which see), Luke 6:48 T Tr WH); specifically, a. rightly, so that there shall be no room for blame: joined to verbs of speaking (ἀποκρινεσθια, λαλεῖν, λέγειν, προφητεύειν, etc.), well, truly, Matthew 15:7; Mark 7:6; Luke 20:39; John 4:17; John 8:48; John 13:13; (John 18:23); Acts 28:25; fitly, i. e. agreeably to the facts and words of the case, Mark 12:28; καλῶς "Right! Well!" an expression of approval: Mark 12:32; Romans 11:20; of deeds: καλῶς ποιεῖν, to do well, act uprightly, James 2:19; 1 Corinthians 7:37f (where the teaching is, that one can do καλῶς, but another κρεῖσσον); καλῶς ποιεῖν with participle to do well that, etc. (Buttmann, § 144, 15 a.; Winer's Grammar, 345 (323)), Acts 10:33; Philippians 4:14; 2 Peter 1:19; 3 John 1:6. (1 Macc. 12:18, 22; 2 Macc. 2:16, etc.); with verbs denoting a duty or office which one fulfils well: 1 Timothy 3:4, 12; 1 Timothy 5:17; specifically honestly, uprightly: Galatians 4:17; ἀναστρέφεσθαι, Hebrews 13:18; ποιεῖν, James 2:8. b. excellently, nobly, commendably: 1 Corinthians 14:17; Galatians 5:7; καλῶς πάντα πεποίηκε, Mark 7:37; with bitter irony, Mark 7:9 (where cf. Fritzsche, p. 271f); 2 Corinthians 11:4. c. honorably, in honor: James 2:3 (others give it here an outward reference, equivalent to in a good place, comfortably). d. καλῶς εἰπεῖν τινα, to speak well of one, Luke 6:26; καλῶς ποιεῖν τινα, to do good to, benefit one, Matthew 5:44 Rec.; τίνι (Winer's Grammar, § 32, 1 β.; Buttmann, 146 (128)), Luke 6:27; καλῶς ποιεῖν, simply, to do good: Matthew 12:12. e. καλῶς ἔχειν, to be well (of those recovering health): Mark 16:18. The adverb καλῶς appears thirty-seven times, functioning as an evaluative word that judges an act, statement, attitude, or condition to be “well, rightly, commendably.” Its range stretches from simple affirmation (“You have spoken well,” Luke 20:39) to moral exhortation (“Do good to those who hate you,” Luke 6:27) and administrative appraisal (“manage his own household well,” 1 Timothy 3:4). Affirmation of Truth or Accurate Speech Jesus and others often use καλῶς to endorse a true statement or sound reasoning. Such occurrences underscore Scripture’s concern that words correspond to reality and that truth receive explicit approval. Moral and Ethical Conduct Several passages connect καλῶς with tangible acts of goodness. Here καλῶς moves beyond verbal affirmation to command concrete, benevolent behavior, revealing the inseparability of faith and moral action. Compassionate Action and Benefit to Others In Mark 16:18 Jesus promises that those healed “will be well,” showing καλῶς in the sense of wholesome outcome. Similarly, Philippians 4:14 praises the Philippians: “Yet it was kind of you to share in my distress.” The word’s benevolent nuance encourages believers to aim at the genuine welfare of others. Proper Governance and Church Leadership Paul repeatedly employs καλῶς when outlining qualifications for elders and deacons: The term sets an objective benchmark for leadership integrity and efficiency within the body of Christ. Spiritual Perseverance and Progress Galatians 5:7 laments, “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?” καλῶς here echoes athletic imagery, urging steadfast momentum in the Christian walk. Romans 11:20 and 1 Corinthians 14:17 likewise employ the word to evaluate believers’ progress and discernment. Rhetorical Irony and Rebuke At times καλῶς is used ironically to expose error: “The Jews answered Him, ‘Are we not right in saying that You are a Samaritan?’” (John 8:48). Paul’s “you bear with it well” (2 Corinthians 11:4) reproves the Corinthians for tolerating false teaching. The irony sharpens spiritual perception by contrasting apparent “rightness” with genuine truth. Eschatological and Prophetic Confirmation Acts 28:25 quotes Isaiah to show the Holy Spirit “spoke rightly to your fathers,” and 2 Peter 1:19 commends attention to prophecy. καλῶς thereby seals the reliability of God’s past revelations and their relevance until Christ’s return. Historical and Cultural Background In Hellenistic rhetoric καλῶς was a stock term of approval, similar to “correct” or “excellent.” The New Testament writers absorb this common expression but elevate it to a theological register, tying “well-ness” to divine standards rather than human applause (contrast Luke 6:26, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you”). Ministerial and Devotional Implications 1. Authentic ministry seeks what is καλῶς for others—spiritual health, sound teaching, tangible care. Practical Application • Evaluate speech: Does it line up with truth so that the Lord can say, “You have spoken well”? Summary Strong’s Greek 2573, καλῶς, threads through the New Testament as a concise verdict on what is accurate, beneficial, and God-honoring. Whether commending sound doctrine, urging benevolent action, or setting standards for church order, the word calls every disciple to align thought, word, and deed with the excellence that characterizes the kingdom of God. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:44 AdvGRK: καταρωμένους ὑμᾶς καλῶς ποιεῖτε τοὺς KJV: you, do good to them that hate you, INT: curse you good do to those who Matthew 12:12 Adv Matthew 15:7 Adv Mark 7:6 Adv Mark 7:9 Adv Mark 7:37 Adv Mark 12:28 Adv Mark 12:32 Adv Mark 16:18 Adv Luke 6:26 Adv Luke 6:27 Adv Luke 6:48 Adv Luke 20:39 Adv John 4:17 Adv John 8:48 Adv John 13:13 Adv John 18:23 Adv Acts 10:33 Adv Acts 28:25 Adv Romans 11:20 Adv 1 Corinthians 7:37 Adv 1 Corinthians 7:38 Adv 1 Corinthians 14:17 Adv 2 Corinthians 11:4 Adv Galatians 4:17 Adv |
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