Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Goodman" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible as a specific title or name. However, the concept of a "good man" is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and is often associated with righteousness, integrity, and moral uprightness. In the Scriptures, a good man is one who seeks to live according to God's commandments and reflects His character in daily life.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often associated with goodness is "tov," which means good, pleasant, or agreeable. The idea of a good man is exemplified in figures like Noah, who was described as "a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time" (
Genesis 6:9). Similarly, King David, despite his flaws, is often seen as a man after God's own heart (
1 Samuel 13:14), striving to lead with justice and mercy.
Proverbs frequently speaks of the characteristics of a good man.
Proverbs 12:2 states, "A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a man who devises evil" . This highlights the biblical principle that goodness is linked to divine favor and moral conduct.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the Greek word "agathos" is often used to describe goodness. Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate example of a good man, embodying perfect righteousness and love. In the Gospels, Jesus teaches about the nature of goodness, emphasizing that true goodness comes from God alone. In
Mark 10:18, Jesus says, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone" , pointing to the divine source of all goodness.
The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, encourages believers to pursue goodness as a fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, including goodness, as evidence of a life transformed by the Holy Spirit. Paul also exhorts believers in
Romans 12:21, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" , urging Christians to actively practice goodness in their interactions with others.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the concept of a good man is intertwined with the doctrine of sanctification. A good man, in biblical terms, is one who is being conformed to the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. This transformation involves a continual process of growth in holiness and moral excellence.
The Bible also acknowledges human limitations in achieving perfect goodness.
Romans 3:23 reminds us, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" . Thus, the pursuit of goodness is not about human effort alone but relies on God's grace and empowerment.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, being a good man involves living out one's faith through actions that reflect God's love and justice. It includes honesty, kindness, humility, and a commitment to serving others. The life of a good man is marked by a desire to honor God in all things and to be a witness of His goodness to the world.
The biblical portrayal of a good man serves as an aspirational model for believers, encouraging them to seek God's guidance and strength in their journey toward righteousness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A familiar appellation of civility, equivalent to My friend, Good sir, Mister; -- sometimes used ironically.
2. (n.) A husband; the master of a house or family; -- often used in speaking familiarly.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
GOODMANgood'-man ('ish; oikodespotes): The word occurs once in the Old Testament and is a translation of the ordinary word for "man," 'ish (Proverbs 7:19). "The goodman is not at home," so the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), but the American Standard Revised Version, more correctly, "The man is not at home"; i.e. the husband is not at home; the Geneva and Douay versions have "My husband is not at home": so Wycliffe; while the Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) has "There is not a man in her house." In the New Testament "goodman" is a translation of oikodespotes. This word occurs 12 times in the Synoptists, and nowhere else. the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) have 3 translations of the word, the American Standard Revised Version 2. In 4 places the King James Version has "goodman" while the American Standard Revised Version has "householder" or "master of the house" (Matthew 20:11;Matthew 24:43Luke 12:39;Luke 22:11). In all the other places, it is translated "householder" or "master of the house." the Revised Version (British and American) retains "goodman" inMark 14:14 andLuke 22:11. The word liteerally means "master of the house," or "husband." The adjective is a mark of respect, and is used somewhat as our word "Mr.," an appellative of respect or civility. Relationship by marriage was distinguished by this epithet, as "good-father," "good-sister," both in England and Scotland. Later the adjective lost its distinguishing force and was swallowed up in the word.
J. J. Reeve
Greek
3617. oikodespotes -- the master of a house... householder, master of the house. From oikos and despotes; the head of a family --
goodman (of the house), householder, master of the house. see GREEK oikos.
...Library
RobbieGoodman's Prayer
... ROBBIEGOODMAN'S PRAYER. "What can be the matter with Walter," thought
Mama Ellis as she sat sewing in her pleasant sitting-room....
Extracts from Mr. David Laing's Preface.
... That Knox's views were in harmony with those of his colleagues,Goodman, Whittingham,
and Gilby, need hardly be stated: but the reception of the little work...
Bibliography.
... Printed by John Fowler in 1566. The references to Knox andGoodman are at E. vj
and F. ij.... One woodcut is a curious representation ofGoodman and Nokes....
The Lord's Supper
... And ye shall say unto thegoodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where
is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples? 12....
He Repels the Calumny Concerning the Acceptance of Persons.
... But what did he reply to those who murmured against thegoodman of the
house concerning this, as it were, acceptance of persons?...
Also this Holy Hermit, Richard, Out of the Abundance of his...
... Now a certaingoodman of that town, knowing that the holy hermit Richard loved her
with a perfect affection of charity"since he was wont to instruct her in...
Sixth Commandment
... Did not Christ justify this idea of self-defence when He said: "If thegoodman of
the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched...
The vineyard Labourers.
... And when they had received it, they murmured against thegoodman of the house, saying,
These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto...
Wisdom and the Strange Woman
... Come, let us take our fill of love Until the morning; Let us solace ourselves with
loves; For thegoodman is not at home, He is gone a long journey: He hath...
A Secret Rendezvous
... And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to thegoodman of the house, The Master saith,
Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My...
Thesaurus
Goodman (6 Occurrences)...GOODMAN. good'-man ('ish; oikodespotes): The word occurs once in the Old Testament
and is a translation of the ordinary word for "man," 'ish (Proverbs 7:19).
...Guestchamber (2 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to thegoodman of the house, The
Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with...
Suffered (88 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if thegoodman of the house had known in what
watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered...
Suffer (195 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if thegoodman of the house had known in what
watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered...
Good-man (1 Occurrence)
Good-man.Goodman, Good-man. Goodness .... Proverbs 7:19 For the good-man is not
at home, he is gone a long journey: (WBS).Goodman, Good-man. Goodness ....
Wheresoever (17 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to thegoodman of the house, The
Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with...
Bason (3 Occurrences)
... Hence, it would naturally be ready here in the upper room as a normal part of the
preparation of the "goodman of the house" for his guests (the King James...
Goodly (46 Occurrences)
Basin (37 Occurrences)
... Hence, it would naturally be ready here in the upper room as a normal part of the
preparation of the "goodman of the house" for his guests (the King James...
Resources
Goodman: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
