ἀγαθός
good
Definition
The adjective ἀγαθός fundamentally describes what is intrinsically good, beneficial, or morally upright. It can refer to the inherent goodness of God (Mark 10:18), the beneficial nature of created things (1 Timothy 4:4), and the moral character of a person (Matthew 12:35). In some contexts, it contrasts with 'evil' (πονηρός) to describe the two fundamental sources of action or speech (Matthew 7:17-18). Its broad meaning makes it the most general term for 'good' in the New Testament.
Biblical Usage
ἀγαθός is used widely across the New Testament, appearing in Gospels, epistles, and Acts. It frequently describes God's nature and gifts (Matthew 7:11, James 1:17), human moral character and deeds (Luke 6:45, Romans 2:7), and things that are beneficial or useful (Galatians 6:10). A key pattern is its use in ethical dualism, contrasting the 'good' person/tree/treasure with the 'bad' or 'evil' one (Matthew 12:33-35).
Etymology
The etymology is debated, but it is likely derived from an ancient root meaning 'to fit' or 'to be suitable,' suggesting a fundamental sense of something being 'as it ought to be.' It is not directly related to the English word 'good,' but shares conceptual space with the Hebrew word טוֹב (tov).
Semantic Range
This word is central to understanding the nature of God and goodness itself. Jesus declares that only God is 'good' in the ultimate sense (Mark 10:18), establishing the divine origin of all true goodness. Theologically, it connects to doctrines of God's character, creation (declared 'good' in Genesis, reflected in 1 Timothy 4:4), and ethics, where believers are called to produce 'good fruit' (Matthew 7:17) stemming from a transformed heart.
In the Greco-Roman world, 'good' (agathos) was a key term in ethical philosophy, often associated with the ideal citizen and virtuous life. The New Testament both engages and transforms this concept, rooting ultimate goodness not in human achievement but in the character of God and the work of the Spirit.
καλός (kalos, G2570) — emphasizes moral beauty, nobility, or what is excellent and praiseworthy. χρηστός (chrēstos, G5543) — emphasizes usefulness, kindness, or gentleness. δίκαιος (dikaios, G1342) — emphasizes righteousness, justice, or conformity to a standard.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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