Goodwill, in the biblical context, refers to the benevolent and kind intentions or actions towards others, often reflecting God's love and grace. It is a concept deeply rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, emphasizing the importance of love, charity, and kindness as expressions of faith and obedience to God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, goodwill is often associated with God's favor and blessings upon His people. The Hebrew word often translated as "favor" or "goodwill" is "ratzon," which conveys the idea of acceptance and pleasure. For instance, in Psalm 5:12 , it is written, "For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor." Here, God's goodwill is depicted as a protective and blessing force for those who are righteous.

The concept of goodwill is also evident in the laws and commandments given to the Israelites, which emphasize justice, mercy, and compassion towards others, including the poor, the stranger, and the oppressed (Deuteronomy 10:18-19). These laws reflect God's desire for His people to act with goodwill towards one another, mirroring His own character.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, goodwill is closely linked to the teachings of Jesus Christ and the early Christian community. The Greek word "eudokia" is often used to describe goodwill, favor, or good pleasure. One of the most notable references is found in Luke 2:14 , where the angels proclaim at the birth of Jesus, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!" This announcement highlights the goodwill of God towards humanity through the gift of His Son.

The teachings of Jesus further emphasize the importance of goodwill in relationships with others. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44), demonstrating that goodwill extends even to those who may not reciprocate it. This radical love and kindness are hallmarks of the Christian life, reflecting the transformative power of God's grace.

The Apostle Paul also speaks of goodwill in his letters, urging believers to act with kindness and compassion. In Ephesians 4:32 , he writes, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." Here, goodwill is connected to forgiveness and the imitation of Christ's love.

Practical Application

Goodwill, as a biblical principle, calls believers to live out their faith through acts of kindness, generosity, and love. It is a reflection of God's character and an essential aspect of Christian discipleship. By practicing goodwill, Christians bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and the presence of God's kingdom on earth.

In practical terms, goodwill can be expressed through charitable acts, hospitality, and a willingness to serve others selflessly. It involves seeking the welfare of others, promoting peace, and building up the community of faith. As believers embody goodwill, they fulfill the commandment to love their neighbors as themselves (Mark 12:31), demonstrating the love of Christ to a watching world.26. agape -- love, goodwill
... love, goodwill. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: agape Phonetic Spelling:
(ag-ah'-pay) Short Definition: love Definition: love, benevolence, good ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/26.htm - 7k

2133. eunoia -- goodwill
... goodwill. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eunoia Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo'-noy-ah) Short Definition: good-will Definition: good-will, kindliness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2133.htm - 6k

7522. ratson -- goodwill, favor, acceptance, will
... ratson or ratson. 7523 . goodwill, favor, acceptance, will. Transliteration: ratson
or ratson Phonetic Spelling: (raw-tsone') Short Definition: favor. ...
/hebrew/7522.htm - 6k

Some Other Advantages of Goodwill are Here Enumerated. ...
... Some other advantages of goodwill are here enumerated.? Some other advantages of
goodwill are here enumerated. ... [258] Goodwill again makes many to become one. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxxiv some other advantages.htm

Whether to Love Considered as an Act of Charity is the Same as ...
... OF THE PRINCIPLE ACT OF CHARITY, WHICH IS TO LOVE (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether to
love considered as an act of charity is the same as goodwill? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether to love considered as.htm

God Does all for a Soul of Goodwill.
... CHAPTER II. THE DUTIES OF THOSE SOULS CALLED BY GOD TO THE STATE OF
ABANDONMENT: SECTION IV."God Does All for a Soul of Goodwill. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section iv god does all for.htm

Divine Love, the Principle of all Good.
... This is the recompense for everyone who accepts with goodwill the state
in which he is placed by Providence. A soul comes under ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section ix divine love the principle.htm

Israel the Beloved
... appears before God in Zion.'. 'AT THE BUSH'. '.. The goodwill of Him that
dwelt in the bush.'-DEUT. xxxiii.16. I Think this is the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/israel the beloved.htm

Chapter xi.
... [102] But I do not see how we should be enjoined to be on terms of goodwill,
ie to be of one heart or of one mind, with the devil. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xi.htm

Whether Beneficence is a Special virtue?
... Now beneficence and goodwill differ only as external and internal act,
since beneficence is the execution of goodwill. Therefore ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether beneficence is a special.htm

Chapter iv.
... And bring [269] us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." [270] Seeing
that in all prayer we have to conciliate the goodwill of him to whom we pray ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter iv 2.htm

Chapter vi.
... To this there is a reference also in that doxology of the angels, "Glory to God
in the highest, [285] and on earth peace to men of goodwill:" [286] so that ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter vi 2.htm

"He is the Head, and we be his Members. " "Therefore Our Father ...
... And in sooth there was none seen: for only his goodwill and his great desire was
cause of his falling; and he was unlothful, and as good inwardly as when he ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter li he is the.htm

Goodwill (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Goodwill (5 Occurrences). Acts 7:10 and delivered
him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and ...
/g/goodwill.htm - 7k

Good-will (8 Occurrences)
Good-will. Goodwill, Good-will. Gopher . Multi-Version Concordance Good-will
(8 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Goodwill, Good-will. Gopher . Reference Bible.
/g/good-will.htm - 8k

Good (8348 Occurrences)
... he is well pleased," margin "good pleasure among men, Greek men of good pleasure."
The meaning is "men to whom God is drawing nigh in goodwill or acceptance ...
/g/good.htm - 26k

Goods (231 Occurrences)

/g/goods.htm - 43k

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