Strong's Lexicon chréstotés: Kindness, goodness, gentleness Original Word: χρηστότης Word Origin: Derived from χρηστός (chrēstos), meaning "useful" or "good." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H2617 (חֶסֶד, chesed): Often translated as "lovingkindness" or "steadfast love," reflecting a similar concept of covenantal loyalty and kindness. - H2896 (טוֹב, tov): Meaning "good" or "goodness," which can also imply kindness and benevolence. Usage: In the New Testament, "chréstotés" refers to the quality of being kind, good, or gentle. It is often used to describe the character of God and the expected behavior of believers. This term encompasses a moral goodness and integrity that is expressed through acts of kindness and benevolence towards others. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, virtues such as kindness and goodness were highly esteemed, though often in a philosophical context. The New Testament writers, however, rooted these virtues in the character of God and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in believers. "Chréstotés" was countercultural in a society that often valued power and dominance, emphasizing instead a gentle and benevolent spirit. HELPS Word-studies 5544 xrēstótēs (a noun, derived from 5543 /xrēstós, "useful, profitable") – properly, useable, i.e. well-fit for use (for what is really needed); kindness that is also serviceable. 5544 /xrēstótēs ("useful kindness") refers to meeting real needs, in God's way, in His timing (fashion). Hence 5544 (xrēstótēs) is listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). With the believer, 5544 /xrēstótēs ("divine kindness") is the Spirit-produced goodness which meets the need and avoids human harshness (cruelty). "We have no term that quite carries this notion of kind and good" (WP, 1, 92). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom chréstos Definition goodness, excellence, uprightness NASB Translation good (1), kindness (9). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5544: χρηστότηςχρηστότης, χρηστητος, ἡ (χρηστός); 1. moral goodness, integrity: Romans 3:12 (from Psalm 13:3 2. benignity, kindness: Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:12; Titus 3:4; ἡ χρηστότης τίνος ἐπί τινα, Romans 11:22 (opposed to ἀποστομια (which see)); Ephesians 2:7. (The Sept.; Euripides, Isaeus, Diodorus, Josephus, Aelian, Herodian; often in Plutarch) (See Trench, Synonyms, § lxiii.) From chrestos; usefulness, i.e. Morally, excellence (in character or demeanor) -- gentleness, good(-ness), kindness. see GREEK chrestos Englishman's Concordance Romans 2:4 N-GFSGRK: πλούτου τῆς χρηστότητος αὐτοῦ καὶ NAS: of the riches of His kindness and tolerance KJV: of his goodness and INT: riches of the kindness of him and Romans 3:12 N-AFS Romans 11:22 N-AFS Romans 11:22 N-NFS Romans 11:22 N-DFS 2 Corinthians 6:6 N-DFS Galatians 5:22 N-NFS Ephesians 2:7 N-DFS Colossians 3:12 N-AFS Titus 3:4 N-NFS Strong's Greek 5544 |
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