This is a series on the attributes of God.
The Goodness of God Part 2: God’s Goodness in the New Testament
Purpose: In this session we shall explore the attribute of the goodness of God as taught in the New Testament and also draw implication for the Christian life as a result of our study.
What is the goodness of God? The words in the New Testament:
- ἀγαθός (agathos)
- In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, this word appears 600 times especially in Proverbs and often used to translate the Hebrew Tob.[1]
- In the New Testament it appears about 125 times.[2]
- It appears in every book in the New Testament except for 1-2 John Jude and Revelation. [3]
- Often used in Greek and Roman thought especially in philosophy for the highest good.[4]
- In the New Testament its general sense is “fitting, suitable” but has a range of meaning from “useful, advantage, useful” when referring to things, “able, competent” for persons and beneficent and being moral in the realm of ethics.[5]
- In the New Testament it is often pitted with words that refer to sinfulness as its opposite.[6]
- καλός (kalos)
- χρηστός (chrestotes)
- In the Greek translation of the Old Testament, this word was also often used to translated the Hebrew Tob.[9]
- This word has the general idea of kind or helpful.[10]
- Unlike the other terms for Good, this is appears less frequently in the New Testament, and as an adjective it only appears seven times and commonly is applied to describe food quality such as in Luke 5:39.[11]
- Remember our summarizing definition:
- John Frame: “But by far the most common meaning of goodness in Scripture is ‘benevolence.’ A good person is one who acts to benefit others.”[12]
- John Feinberg: “When we look at the biblical concept of divine goodness, one major idea stands out. It is that God is concerned about the well-being of his creatures and does things to promote it.”[13]
What does the Bible in the New Testament teaches about the goodness of God?
- God alone is good: “And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17)
- Both Mark 10:18, Luke 18:19 record Jesus stating the same thing.
- The context is Jesus’ answer to the rich young ruler who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life.
- Jesus response challenges the man’s idea of goodness.
- Here the statement is that God alone is good (Greek= “agathos”).
- Paul would later affirm that only God is good and humanity is not good when he stated “All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” (Romans 3:12)
- Ultimately, there is only one who is perfectly Good: God Himself.
- Since God is good therefore His actions are good
- “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
- The word for “good” here in the Greek is“ ”
- Here we see God allowing all things to work together for believers.
- This goodness of God as His purpose should be a source of comfort for Christians going through trials and tribulation.
- Sinners’ repentance is also a work of God’s goodness: “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4)
- The word for “good” here in the Greek is “agathos.”
- We see that God’s goodness, in the sense of Him being helpful to others, is what leads one to repent.
- God who is Good has created us to do good works:
- “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
- The word for “good” here in the Greek is “agathos.”
- Earlier in Ephesians 2:8-9 Paul gives the classic verses that we are saved by God’s grace!
- “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)
- But God’s good work didn’t stop there; rather God’s good work includes making us to do good works after our salvation and conversion.
- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” (Galatians 5:22)
- The word for “good” here in the Greek is “agathos.”
- Here the list of the fruits of the Spirit includes goodness. It is what the Spirit does.
- “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” (Galatians 5:22)
- God’s good work will one day be completed! “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
- The word for “good” here in the Greek is “agathos.”
- This is a promise that His good work will not be abandoned!
- We have hope from this verse!
- “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
- God’s goodness in the New Testament is often connected with Jesus Christ
- As we have seen above, a lot of God’s goodness has to do with salvation and sanctification which foundation is based upon Christ’s work on the cross.
- “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,” (Titus 3:4)
- The context here is talking about God’s work of salvation of sinners.
- The word for “kindness” here in the Greek is “chrestotes.”
- It is God’s goodness in a sense of kindness to sinners that God has appeared to mankind in the person of Christ! The Incarnation shows God’s goodness!
- “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)
- This is description Jesus gives Himself.
- The Greek word for “good’ here is kalos.
- He is not just a shepherd but a good shepherd that’s beneficial to His sheep whom Hey lays down His life for.
- John 10:14 also reiterates the theme that Jesus is the Good shepherd.
- Given how Jesus is God, we are not surprised to see He is good!
Implications
- God is Good therefore imitate God by doing good: “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.’ (3 John 11). Are you practicing good works towards others?
- Since God is Good therefore God wants us to not only do good but love what is good! “but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled,” (Titus 1:8). Do you love that which is good?
- Discouraged that it seems hopeless you will never do good? How can one be motivated to do good?
- Are you a believer? If so, remember God who is Good has created us to do good works (Ephesians 2:10)! Are you confident that God will cause good works within you to do towards others?
- Don’t forget earlier that good is also beautiful. Be enraptured by His goodness to motivate you to seek doing good!
- Remember God is good and sovereign. Have you trusted in God with the crisis and trials you are presently going through, knowing He wills it for your own good?
- Do you meditate on God’s goodness through the person of Jesus Christ?
[1] “ἀγαθός” in New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014), 1:93.
[2] Ibid, 1:95.
[3] Ibid.
[4] “Ibid, 1:94.
[5] “Ibid, 1:97.
[6] “Ibid, 1:100.
[7] “καλός” in New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014), 2:608.
[8] Ibid, 2:609.
[9] John Feinberg, No One Like Him (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2001), 366.
[10] Ibid.
[11] “χρηστός” in New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology and Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2014), 4:686.
[12] John Frame, Doctrine of God (Phillipsburg, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed, 2002), 410.
[13] John Feinberg, No One Like Him (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2001), 366.
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[…] promote it.https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2021/09/22/gods-attribute-the-goodness-of-god-part-1/https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2021/09/29/gods-attribute-the-goodness-of-god-part-2/More to follow!Thank you Pastor Jim!Worthy is the Lamb! […]
Thanks for this good lesson outline on God’s goodness! So glad we have the New Testament as an inspirational witness of Jesus’ goodness! Argh! Many times I’ve become discouraged as a Christian, even walking away from God for an extended “season.” But being the Good Teacher and Good Shepherd that He is, Jesus does not want us to be discouraged and depressed. More of Him and His grace and less of myself and my critical introspection.
I too am glad that the New Testament expands on the topic of Goodness of God with more specific information about His goodness including how Jesus is the Good Teacher and Good Shepherd. I am so weak and so glad He also works good through us to do good! I need to review some DC comics sometime this week; does your LSH review come out every month or two weeks?
Looking forward to your comic reviews! I’m reviewing the LSH comics once per month. If DC relaunches the title I’ll have to step it up.
What’s on the agenda today in So Cal?
Good morning brother. Love this series. God is good and God is in a good mood.
Blessings from mighty King Jesus.
Jimmy,
Helpful word study: strengthened in the Lord’s goodness by it. It’s “agathos” in Romans 8:28 is it? That verse is such a precious promise to believers.
pax,
dora
I double checked and yes Romans 8:28 uses ““agathos” though its case is “agathon” in appearance to match the preposition. But yes its Agathos. Such a precious verse and promise indeed! I imagine Romans 8:28 might have been your favorite verse during different times in your life?
Always on the tip of my tongue, a “divine cordial” as the Puritan Thomas Watson calls it in an exposition by that name which i read several years back and which strengthened me immensely. Thanks, Jimmy. It’s all Greek to me but some Greek bears remembering :>)
Good reminder: “God is Good therefore imitate God by doing good”
Amen! Hope today maybe an opportunity for both of us to do good both online and offline!!! Last night when I taught this lesson I encouraged everyone to do good everyday to others; may we not neglect the privilege to do good for the Lord amen? Blessings brother.
“John Frame: “But by far the most common meaning of goodness in Scripture is ‘benevolence.’”
Interesting that we can also define God’s love ἀγάπη (agápē) as benevolence or good will. It’s other-centered and self-giving. He always has our highest good in mind. And God IS love!
Good study, Jim!
I love these studies on the goodness of God!!!!! It is no wonder that Paul reminds us to do good 3 times in Titus 3. I think one of the biggest ways we present Jesus in real time is by being good and kind to others. Goodness and kindness are a manifestation of love. So often God’s love is thrown around and how Christians do not love like their God. Doing good to others whether they deserve it or not will cause others to notice and/or pondering their actions.
Sorry for the delay was homeschooling my kids with math with the three of them and checking their math work then did our spiritual lessons and hence the delay in seeing your message!
Thanks for your comment here and pointing out the missing Greek word. What’s strange is I went to my outline on Word document and it was in there but somehow WordPress had them disappear when I cut and paste on WordPress editor. I don’t like how WordPress has all kinds of quirks now with this new wordpress editor they introduced a few years back; the military use to have a saying “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” and I think WordPress more simpler editor should have been continued instead of discontinued. Do you experience quirks with WordPress or you are tech saavy enough to write posts with no problems?
Jesus’ and God’s goodness is awesome and thanks for joining us with Bible study. How is your day so far??
Please delete the parentheses part in my above response! Oh man I STRONGLY dislike this editor. It does all kinds of horrible things to my italics. I gave up with footnotes and just started doing APA format because I am tired of fighting this editor! Nathan and I talk all the time about “not broke and don’t fix it!” Also, Nathan wants me to tell you, you’re not tone deaf, it’s from too many boomers! Anyway, I have tried to go back to the old editor because again, I STRONGLY dislike this editor/format!
Reblogged this on My Logos Word.
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Really enjoying these studies.
Thanks for reading them, it add joy to making these studies sister Crissy! How is your week so far?
My week has been super busy.( good busy) my oldest grandson turned 18 a few days ago and today is my birthday. Spent the day with the only person I am allowed
to see 😊(legally that is …)
How about your week ?
Thank you for sharing the Goodness of God, as outlined in the New Testament. I have added my notes to the ones taken from the earlier post from the Old Testament.
I read both part 1 and part 2 and love how God is good in both Testaments