Goodliness
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Definition and Meaning:
Goodliness refers to the quality of being good, attractive, or pleasing in appearance or character. In a biblical context, it often denotes moral excellence, virtue, and the beauty of holiness. Goodliness is associated with the attributes of God and the characteristics that believers are encouraged to cultivate.

Biblical References:
The concept of goodliness is woven throughout Scripture, often highlighting the beauty and virtue that come from a life aligned with God's will. While the specific term "goodliness" may not frequently appear in the Berean Standard Bible, the underlying principles are evident in various passages.

1. Psalm 27:4 : "One thing I have asked of the LORD; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple."
· This verse reflects the psalmist's longing for the beauty and goodliness found in God's presence, emphasizing the spiritual attractiveness of divine holiness.

2. Isaiah 40:6 : "A voice says, 'Cry out.' And I asked, 'What should I cry out?' 'All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field.'"
· Here, the transient nature of human goodliness is contrasted with the enduring glory of God. Human beauty and virtue are fleeting, but God's goodliness is eternal.

3. 1 Peter 3:3-4 : "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight."
· This passage encourages believers to focus on inner goodliness, characterized by a gentle and quiet spirit, which holds true value in the eyes of God.

Theological Significance:
Goodliness in the Bible is often associated with the character and nature of God. It is a reflection of His holiness, righteousness, and love. Believers are called to emulate these divine attributes, striving for a life that reflects God's goodness and beauty.

1. Moral Excellence:
· Goodliness involves living a life of moral integrity and virtue. It is the pursuit of righteousness and the rejection of sin. This aligns with the call to holiness found in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

2. Spiritual Beauty:
· The beauty of goodliness is not merely external but is deeply rooted in one's spiritual life. It is the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23 : "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

3. Reflection of God's Nature:
· Goodliness is a reflection of God's own nature. As believers grow in their relationship with Him, they are transformed into His likeness, displaying His attributes to the world. This transformation is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working within them.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to cultivate goodliness in their lives by seeking a deeper relationship with God and allowing His Spirit to transform their hearts and minds. This involves regular prayer, study of Scripture, and active participation in the life of the church. By doing so, they can reflect God's goodliness in their interactions with others, serving as a witness to His love and grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) Beauty of form; grace; elegance; comeliness.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GOODLINESS

good'-li-nes: This word is found in Isaiah 40:6 as the translation of checedh, commonly translated "mercy," "kindness," etc.: "All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness (beauty, charm, comeliness) thereof is as the flower of the field." The rendering is retained by the English Revised Version and the American Standard Revised Version as appropriate in this place; checedh is frequently translated goodness.' In Isaiah 40:6 Septuagint has doxa, "glory" (so also 1 Peter 1:24), which also fitly expresses the idea of the passage.

Strong's Hebrew
8233. shepher -- beauty, goodliness
... 8232, 8233. shepher. 8234 . beauty, goodliness. Transliteration: shepher
Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-fer) Short Definition: beautiful. ...
/hebrew/8233.htm - 6k
Library

Of the Setting of Man's Life
... First, the example of creatures, that is had by consideration; the goodliness of
God, that is gotten by meditation and prayer: and mirth, of the heavenly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter iv of the setting.htm

"And we all do Fade as a Leaf, and Our Iniquities, Like the Wind ...
... Yea, the Scripture useth to undervalue it more than so and the voice commandeth
to cry, (Isaiah 40:6, 7, 8,) "All flesh is grass and the goodliness thereof as ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvii and we all.htm

The Withering Work of the Spirit
... All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the Spirit of the Lord ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the withering work of the.htm

A Voice from the Hartley Colliery
... Once again the voice of Providence has proclaimed "All flesh is grass, and all the
goodliness thereof is as the flower of grass." O sword of the Lord, when ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a voice from the hartley.htm

section 3
... root and stem, leaf and tendril and petal, that made up the plant before its new
birth took place; "for all flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 3.htm

The Comforter
... life, but death; who can, and does send earthquakes, storm, and pestilence; of whom
Isaiah writes""All flesh is as grass, and all the goodliness thereof is ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xiv the comforter.htm

A Cry of Comfort for Jerusalem
... All flesh is grass, And all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
The grass withereth, The flower fadeth, Because the breath of the LORD ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/a cry of comfort for.htm

That no Man Shall Deem Another, but Give God Praise: and of Eight ...
... fleshly lusts and thou hast suffered sharp penance, wherefore thou hast taken praise
from the mouth of man: have mind that, except the goodliness of Christ had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter xii that no man.htm

Thou Dost not Hide Thyself in Thy Bareness, O Pearl!
... littleness Adam was made great. For the head is thy crown intended: for the
eye thy beauty, for the ear thy goodliness. Come up from the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iii thou dost not.htm

Of Loving Jesus Above all Things
... Trust not nor lean upon a reed shaken with the wind, because all flesh is grass,
and the goodliness thereof falleth as the flower of the field.(1). ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter vii of loving jesus.htm

Thesaurus
Goodliness (2 Occurrences)
... (n.) Beauty of form; grace; elegance; comeliness. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
GOODLINESS. ... Multi-Version Concordance Goodliness (2 Occurrences). ...
/g/goodliness.htm - 7k

Good-looking (7 Occurrences)
Good-looking. Goodliness, Good-looking. Goodly . Noah Webster's Dictionary
(a.) Handsome. ... (BBE NAS). Goodliness, Good-looking. Goodly . Reference Bible
/g/good-looking.htm - 8k

Goodliest (3 Occurrences)

/g/goodliest.htm - 7k

Flowers (42 Occurrences)
... one saith: 'Proclaim!' And he saith: 'What shall I proclaim?' 'All flesh is grass,
and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field; (See NIV). ...
/f/flowers.htm - 22k

Hark (22 Occurrences)
... Cry. And one said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the
goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. (See JPS). ...
/h/hark.htm - 12k

Resources
Goodliness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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