Lexical Summary
agathos: Good, beneficial, virtuous
Original Word:ἀγαθός
Part of Speech:Adjective
Transliteration:agathos
Pronunciation:ä-gä-thos'
Phonetic Spelling:(ag-ath-os')
KJV: benefit, good(-s, things), well
NASB:good, good thing, good things, good man, goods, generous, goodness
Word Origin:[a primary word]
1. good
{in any sense, often as noun}
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
benefit, goods things
A primary word; "good" (in any sense, often as noun) -- benefit, good(-s, things), well. Comparekalos.
see GREEKkalos
HELPS Word-studies
18agathós – inherently (intrinsically)good; as to the believer,18 (agathós) describes whatoriginates from God and isempowered by Him in their life, through faith.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof uncertain origin
Definitiongood
NASB Translationgenerous (1), good (81), good man (2), good thing (6), good things (6), goodness (1), goods (2), kind (1), kindly (1), kindness (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 18: ἀγαθόςἀγαθός,
(ή, (akin to
ἄγαμαι to wonder at, think highly of,
ἀγαστός admirable, as explained by
Plato, Crat., p. 412 c. (others besides; cf. Donaldson, New Crat. § 323)), in general denotes
"perfectus, ... qui habet in se ac facit omnia quae habere et facere debet pro notione nominis, officio ac lege" (Irmisch ad
Herodian, 1, 4, p. 134),
excelling in any respect, distinguished, good. It can be predicated of persons, things, conditions, qualities and affections of the soul, deeds, times and seasons. To this general significance can be traced back all those senses which the word gathers from the connection in which it stands;
1.of a good constitution or nature:γῆ,Luke 8:8;δένδρον,Matthew 7:18, in sense equivalent to 'fertile soil,' 'a fruitful tree,' (Xenophon, oec. 16, 7γῆἀγαθή, ...γῆκακῇ, an. 2, 4, 22χώραςπολλῆςκαίἀγαθῆςοὔσης). InLuke 8:15ἀγαθήκαρδία corresponds to the figurative expressiongood ground, and denotes a soul inclined to goodness, and accordingly eager to learn saving truth and ready to bear the fruits (καρπούςἀγαθούς,James 3:17) of a Christian life.
2.useful, salutary:δόσιςἀγαθή (joined toδώρηματέλειον) a gift which is truly a gift, salutary,James 1:17;δόματαἀγαθά,Matthew 7:11;ἐντολήἀγαθός a commandment profitable to those who keep it,Romans 7:12, according to a Greek scholium equivalent toεἰςτόσυμφέρονἐισηγουμένη, hence, the question inRomans 7:13:τόοὖνἀγαθόνἐμοίγέγονεθάνατος;ἀγαθόςμερίς the 'good part,' which insures salvation to him who chooses it,Luke 10:42;ἔργονἀγαθόν (differently inRomans 2:7, etc.) the saving work of God, i. e. substantially, the Christian life, due to divine efficiency,Philippians 1:6 (cf. the commentaries at the passage);εἰςἀγαθόνfor good, to advantage,Romans 8:28 (Sir. 7:13;πάντατοῖςἐυσεβέσιεἰςἀγαθά ...τοῖςἁμαρτωλοῖςεἰςκακά, Sir. 39:27;τόκακόν ...γίγνεταιεἰςἀγαθόν,Theognis 162);good for, suited to something:πρόςοἰκοδομήν,Ephesians 4:29 (cf.Winers Grammar, 363 (340)) (Xenophon, mem. 4, 6, 10).
3. of the feeling awakened by what is good,pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy:ἡμέραιἀγαθάς1 Peter 3:10 (Psalm 33:13 (); Sir. 14:14; 1 Macc. 10:55);ἐλπίς,2 Thessalonians 2:16 (μακαρίαἐλπίς,Titus 2:13);συνείδησις, a peaceful conscience, equivalent to consciousness of rectitude,Acts 23:1;1 Timothy 1:5, 19;1 Peter 3:16; reconciled to God,1 Peter 3:21.4.excellent, distinguished: soτίἀγαθόν,John 1:46 (John 1:47).
5.upright, honorable:Matthew 12:34;Matthew 19:16;Luke 6:45;Acts 11:24;1 Peter 3:11, etc.;πονηροίκαίἀγαθοί,Matthew 5:45;Matthew 22:10;ἀγαθόςκαίδίκαιος,Luke 23:50;καρδίαἀγαθήκαίκαλή,Luke 8:15 (seeκαλός, b.); fulfilling the duty or service demanded,δοῦλεἀγαθέκαίπιστέ,Matthew 25:21, 23; upright, free from guile, particularly from a desire to corrupt the people,John 7:12; preeminently of God, as consummately and essentially good,Matthew 19:17 (Mark 10:18;Luke 18:19);ἀγαθόςθησαυρός inMatthew 12:35;Luke 6:45 denotes the soul considered as the repository of pure thoughts which are brought forth in speech;πίστιςἀγαθός the fidelity due from a servant to his master,Titus 2:10 (WH marginal reading omits); onἀγαθόνἔργον,ἀγαθάἔργα, seeἔργον. In a narrower sense,benevolent, kind, generous:Matthew 20:15;1 Peter 2:18;μνεία,1 Thessalonians 3:6 (cf. 2 Macc. 7:20);beneficent (Xenophon, Cyril 3, 3, 4;טוב,Jeremiah 33:11;Psalm 34:9;Cicero, nat. deor. 2, 25, 64 "optimus i. e.beneficentissimus),Romans 5:7, where the meaning is, Hardly for an innocent man does one encounter death; for if he even dares hazard his life for another, he does so for a benefactor (one from whom he has received favors); cf.Winer's Grammar, 117 (111); (Gifford in the Speaker's Commentary, p. 123). The neuter used substantively denotes:
1.a good thing, convenience, advantage, and in partic.
a. in the plural, externalgoods, riches:Luke 1:53;Luke 12:18f. (Sir. 14:4; Wis. 7:11);τάἀγαθάσου comforts and delights which thy wealth procured for thee in abundance,Luke 16:25 (opposed toκακά, as in Sir. 11:14); outward and inward good things,Galatians 6:6, cf. Wieseler at the passage.
b.the benefits of the Messianic kingdom:Romans 10:15;τάμέλλονταἀγαθῶν,Hebrews 9:11;Hebrews 10:1.
2.what is upright, honorable, and acceptable to God:Romans 12:2;ἐργάζεσθαιτόἀγαθόνRomans 2:10;Ephesians 4:28;πράσσειν,Romans 9:11; (2 Corinthians 5:10);διώκειν,1 Thessalonians 5:15;μιμεῖσθαι,3 John 1:11;κολλᾶσθαιτῷἀγαθῷRomans 12:9;τίμεἐρωτᾷςπερίτοῦἀγαθοῦ,Matthew 19:17GLTTrWH, where the word expresses the general idea of right. Specifically, what issalutary, suited to the course of human affairs: in the phraseδιάκονοςεἰςτόἀγαθόνRomans 13:4; of rendering service,Galatians 6:10;Romans 12:21;τόἀγαθόνσου the favor thou conferrest,Philemon 1:14. ("It is to be regarded as a peculiarity in the usage of theSept. thatטוב good is predominantly (?) rendered byκαλός.... The translator of Genesis usesἀγαθός only in the neuter, good, goods, and this has been to a degree the model for the other translators. ... In the Greek O. T., whereοἱδίκαιοι is the technical designation of the pious,οἱἀγαθοί orὁἀγαθός does not occur in so general a sense. Theἀνήρἀγαθός is peculiar only to the Proverbs (Proverbs 13:22, 24;Proverbs 15:3); cf. besides the solitary instance in1 Kings 2:32. Thus, even in the usage of the O. T. we are reminded of Christ's words,Mark 10:18,οὐδείςἀγαθόςεἰμήεἷςὁΘεός. In the O. T. the term 'righteous' makes reference rather to a covenant and to one's relation to a positive standard;ἀγαθός would express the absolute idea of moral goodness" (Zezschwitz, Profangraec. u. Biblical Sprachgeist, Leipz. 1859, p. 60). Cf. Tittm., p. 19. On the comparison ofἀγαθός seeB. 27 (24).)
Topical Lexicon
Scope and Range of New Testament UsageThe ἀγαθός word‐group portrays what accords with God’s character and promotes His purposes. It can describe moral virtue (Romans 7:12), beneficent action (Galatians 6:10), wholesome condition (Luke 8:15), material blessing (Luke 1:53), or eschatological reward (John 5:29). Context decides whether the nuance is ethical, practical, relational, or eschatological, yet every use is tethered to the conviction that true “good” is defined by God and revealed in His Son and word.
The Absolute Goodness of God
Jesus declared, “No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). This foundational assertion safeguards the transcendence of divine goodness and sets the standard for every other use. God’s goodness is:
• Creative: “God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1, LXX).
• Providential: “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good” (Matthew 5:45).
• Redemptive: “He works all things together for good to those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).
James 1:17 gathers these threads: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.”
Jesus Christ and the Question of ‘Good Teacher’
When the rich ruler addressed Jesus as “Good Teacher” (Luke 18:18), the Lord replied, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone” (Luke 18:19). Far from denying His deity, Jesus pressed the ruler to recognize that acknowledging His goodness entailed confessing His divine identity and authority. The passage anchors New Testament christology in the absolute goodness already ascribed to God.
Goodness and the Law
Romans 7 highlights the Law’s inherent goodness while exposing human inability:
• “So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good” (Romans 7:12).
• “What is good became death to me? Certainly not!” (Romans 7:13).
The Law reflects God’s moral goodness, yet can only condemn the sinner who lacks the Spirit’s life. Thus “the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us” (Romans 8:4) through the gospel.
Good Works Prepared for Believers
Salvation is “not by works” yet “for good works”:
• “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
• Scripture equips “the man of God… for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17).
• Believers are to “learn to devote themselves to good works” (Titus 3:14).
Good works are the Spirit’s fruit (Galatians 5:22–23 implied), evidence of faith (James 3:13;1 Timothy 5:10), and a witness that silences critics (1 Peter 2:15).
Good Conscience and Integrity in Ministry
A “good conscience” safeguards authentic ministry:
• Paul before the Sanhedrin: “I have lived before God in all good conscience to this day” (Acts 23:1).
• The goal of instruction: “love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).
• Baptism appeals to God “for a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:21).
Integrity, transparency, and ethical consistency flow from the regenerated heart.
Good Soil and Receptivity to the Word
The parable of the sower distinguishes “the seed on good soil” (Luke 8:15). Such hearts:
1. “hear the word,”
2. “retain it,”
3. “by persevering produce a crop.”
Fruitfulness arises not from innate human quality but from God’s preparatory grace, illustrating how goodness is both received and reproduced.
Good Things: Material and Eschatological Dimensions
• Temporal blessing: “He has filled the hungry with good things” (Luke 1:53).
• Wealth’s stewardship: the rich fool’s “many good things” (Luke 12:18–19) warns against hoarding.
• Eternal reward: “those who have done good will rise to a resurrection of life” (John 5:29); “each will receive what is due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Thus present gifts are to be enjoyed with gratitude and invested with eternity in view.
Doing Good to All
Christian ethics extends goodness beyond the household of faith:
• “Let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
• “See that no one repays evil for evil, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all” (1 Thessalonians 5:15).
• Even slaves are urged to be “submissive… not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust” (1 Peter 2:18).
Active benevolence reflects God’s common grace and opens doors for gospel testimony.
Goodness in Pastoral Encouragement
New Testament writers repeatedly encourage believers with the prospect and presence of goodness:
• “May the Lord… establish you in every good work and word” (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17).
• “May the God of peace… equip you with every good thing to do His will” (Hebrews 13:20–21).
• “I am confident that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it” (Philippians 1:6).
Pastors and teachers draw on these promises to nurture confidence, perseverance, and joyful service.
Summary
Every occurrence of ἀγαθός in the New Testament converges on one theological axis: God is good, and He purposes to share and display that goodness in creation, redemption, sanctification, and consummation. From the Law’s demands to the Spirit’s enablement, from Christ’s perfect life to the believer’s daily walk, goodness is both the divine standard and the gracious gift that shapes the life and hope of the people of God.
Forms and Transliterations
αγαθα αγαθά ἀγαθά ἀγαθὰ αγαθαί αγαθας αγαθάς ἀγαθάς αγαθε αγαθέ ἀγαθέ ἀγαθὲ αγαθη αγαθή ἀγαθή ἀγαθὴ ἀγαθῇ αγαθην αγαθήν ἀγαθήν ἀγαθὴν αγαθης αγαθής ἀγαθῆς αγαθοί αγαθοις αγαθοίς ἀγαθοῖς αγαθον αγαθόν ἀγαθόν ἀγαθὸν αγαθος αγαθός αγάθος ἀγαθός ἀγαθὸς αγαθου αγαθού ἀγαθοῦ αγαθους αγαθούς ἀγαθούς ἀγαθοὺς αγαθύναι αγαθυνάτω αγαθυνεί αγαθύνης αγαθυνθέντων αγαθυνθή αγαθυνθήσεται αγαθυνθήτω αγάθυνον αγαθω αγαθώ ἀγαθῷ αγαθων αγαθών ἀγαθῶν αγαθώς αγαθώσαι ηγάθυνας ηγαθύνθη agatha agathá agathà agathas agathás agathe agathé agathè agathē agathḗ agathḕ agathêi agathē̂i agathen agathēn agathḗn agathḕn agathes agathês agathēs agathē̂s agatho agathō agathôi agathō̂i agathois agathoîs agathon agathón agathòn agathôn agathōn agathō̂n agathos agathós agathòs agathou agathoû agathous agathoús agathoùsLinks
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