Fruit of the Spirit - Goodness (2)

The biblical Greek word kalos for God’s goodness bears the connotation of usefulness and helpfulness and has less to do with perception by the human mind or eye, whereas agathos has more the sense of the inner foundation of the person who does good.

[Kalos] has more to do with the external witness, [outward beauty]

[agathos] with the inner person, the real individual.

The words are closely related in meaning, often interchangeably. Both should be exemplified in the believer.

The ancient Greeks created two words for that which we might describe as beauty, something that is good and valuable.

Agathos was the first term that was created. It meant good or beautiful of intrinsic value. It referred to the inner beauty or value of a person or object.

The word kalos was later created to describe beauty in form, outer beauty, having symmetry and a desirable outer form.

When I was a teenager, a girl that was said to “have a great personality” often meant in the looks department she was less than desirable or worse.

Most guys were looking for a kalos girl not an agathos one. When the other guys saw her on your arm all that was visible was her kalos not her agathos. An empty head was acceptable as long as she had a pretty face and a great “form.”

Some of us were fortunate enough to find a girl who was both kalos and agathos. The high rate of divorce these days is because kalos does not last and after that, agathos or lack of it is all that is left. – Joseph B. Strauss

[Goodness, agathōsynē] is more than chrēstótēs (5544), gentleness, kindness, a mellowing of character.

It is character energized, expressing itself in agathón (18), benevolence, active good.

There is more activity in agathōsúnē than in chrēstótēs. Agathōsúnē does not spare sharpness and rebuke to cause good (agathón) in others.

A person may display his agathōsúnē, his zeal for goodness and truth, in rebuking, correcting, or chastising. Christ’s righteous indignation in the temple (Matt. 21:13) showed His agathōsúnē, goodness, but not His chrēstótēs, gentleness.

Goodness, agathōsynē, is being full of virtue and excellence, kindness and helpfulness, peace and consideration. It means that a person is full of all good and he does all good. It means …

that he has a good heart and good behavior

that he is good and does good

that he is a quality person

A good person lives and treats everyone just as they should be treated.

He does not take advantage of any person, nor does he stand by and let others take advantage.

He stands up and lives for what is right, good, and just.

A good person will not give license to evil, will not let evil run rampant.

He will not allow evil to indulge itself and treat others unjustly.

He will not allow others to suffer evil.

Goodness steps forward and does what it can to stop and control evil.

Goodness (agathōsynē) in a person describes their moral character. This encompasses all the qualities of Christlikeness.

An agathos (good inwardly) person manifests kalos (good outwardly) in his daily actions and life.

Ephesians 5:3–17 (NIV84)

3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.

4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

7Therefore do not be partners with them.

8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness [agathōsynē, inward goodness], righteousness and truth)

10and find out what pleases the Lord.

11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

13But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,

14for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,

16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

V. 9, All Christian morality lies in the good, the right, and the true.

“Fruit of the light” is “in all goodness”—good in every respect and in every relation should the Christian be.

“And righteousness,” perfect justice and uprightness should mark his dealings with his fellowman in every phase of life.

And truth,” truth is loved in the heart, he is born of the truth, is sanctified by the truth, and indeed truth characterizes all that he does.

V. 9, Goodness = agathōsunē, refers to moral excellence, to being good in both nature and effectiveness.

Goodness finds its fullest and highest expression in that which is willingly and sacrificially done for others.

Goodness (i.e., good-heartedness toward others in contrast to malice.)

1 Thessalonians 5:15 (Legacy Standard Bible)

15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.

[Believers are instructed] to break the cycle of retribution and revenge so common in society. When they receive harm and “evil” from another, they are not to “repay” the offense

Romans 12:9–21 (NIV84)

9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

13Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

20On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

V. 21, The first be overcome is νικάω nikō. This is a passive verb, which denotes being acted upon.

The second overcome is nika. This is an active verb, which denotes that we are to perform the action.

We are not to passively allow evil to overcome us.

We are to take action against the evil by doing good.

He who retaliates against evil with evil has been overtaken by evil. They have been overcome by evil.

When we respond to evil with good, we have not allowed evil to overtake us. We overcome evil by choosing to do good instead of choosing to do evil in our response(s) towards evil.

How Evil Grows. Origen: It is the nature of evil to increase and grow by similar acts, rather like adding fire to fire. Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans.

1 Peter 3:8–12 (NIV84)

8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

10For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.

12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Plant evil, you get evil back pressed down, shaken together, and running over. That’s the law of the harvest.

Luke 6:37-38 (NIV84)

37"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Proverbs 17:13 (NIV 2011)

13Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.

What a warning!

Isaiah 5:20-23 (NIV84)

20Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

21Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.

22Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks,

23who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.

Venal (thing for sale) judges, in a partisan way, twist the truth in their own interest. The judge who allows his freedom in coming to a decision to be affected by a gift or has any other kind of personal advantage in view, has himself become a party in the case. The acceptance of bribes is a sign of godlessness.

Proverbs 17:15 (NIV84)

15Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent-- the LORD detests them both.

Proverbs 17:23 (NIV84)

23A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.

Yahweh punishes those who misuse their office or their calling for their own advantage and to the detriment of those who have no protection and no help.

Nothing shakes confidence in state and society more deeply than the public corruption of justice and the removal of the certainty of fair treatment.

Sounds like the 21st Century.

Relying on our own wisdom leads to a distorted view of the world and a skewed perspective on right and wrong. – John D. Barry

A world in rebellion against God will have a skewed perspective and embrace a topsy-turvy morality. There are many people today who still call evil “good” and good “evil,” as they promote behaviors that the Bible specifically calls sinful.

The celebration of homosexuality and the defense of abortion on demand are usually accompanied by a mockery of those who value life and promote traditional marriage.

Evil is being called “good,” and good is slandered as “evil.”

The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between parties either—but right through every human heart—through all human hearts. – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NIV84)

4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Calling good “evil” and evil “good” is a sure sign of spiritual wickedness at work.

Psalm 119:104–105 (NIV84)

104I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

God’s Word will guide us and lead us in the way of righteousness: the way of true right and wrong.

Matthew 12:35 (NIV84)

35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

In all these instances, good is the Greek word, agathos (internal goodness).

Our moral character produces after its kind, based on what is stored up in our hearts.

Romans 14:16-17 (NIV84)

16Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil.

17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

The kingdom of God is not characterized by practices we prefer or prescribe; rather, it is characterized by qualities the Holy Spirit produces: righteousness, peace, and joy. Those qualities should be our focus.

Jesus declared all foods clean. (Mark 7:19)

But not everyone has been enlightened on this issue, and if one is convinced in his heart that some foods are unclean (e.g., in terms of the Levitical food laws), for him such foods remain unclean. Until he is convinced otherwise, it would violate his conscience to partake of them.

The good thing refers to the liberty to eat meat or to do anything non-moral. People could legitimately speak of it as evil if it resulted in the fall of a brother.

If we were to attempt get a person to eat anything, we would be wrong and thus what we considered good would be spoken of as evil.

Romans 2:24 (NIV84)

24 As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

The good (God’s name) is spoken evil of because of the unholy behavior of His followers.

1 Corinthians 10:23–11:1 (NIV84)

23“Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive.

24Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

25Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,

26for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

27If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.

28But if anyone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake—

29the other man’s conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience?

30If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?

31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

32Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—

33even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

11:1Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

We are to modify our actions for the sake of others, but we are not to modify our consciences. The legalism of a weaker brother should not make us legalistic, only gracious.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 also speaks of food sacrificed to idols. We are to avoid eating anything that would violate another’s conscience, even though, we have the freedom to eat that food.

2 Corinthians 8:21 (NIV84)

21For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

We are taking pains to do: προνοέω pronoeō = to give careful thought to, take thought for, take into consideration, have regard for.

Paul wanted to make sure that the way he was overseeing the contributions of the saints would not come under scrutiny and criticism.

This principle should be used for all of our actions.

We should take pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)

22Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Our actions should not only be good, but they should also look good.

We must not allow ourselves even to be placed in a situation where our testimony might be compromised even inadvertently. – John Phillips

1 Peter 2:11–12 (NIV84)

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

12Live such good (kalos) lives (having your conversation honest, kjv) among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Conversation: Behavior in relationships with others.

Honest: Better, “seemly.” The word used is the ordinary Greek word for “beautiful,” and it distinctly means goodness that comes into sight.

A daily walk that is attractive, winsome (attractive or appealing) to look at.

Luke 18:18–20 (NIV84)

18A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19“Why do you call me good (agathos, intrinsically good)?” Jesus answered. “No one is good (agathos, intrinsically good)—except God alone.

20You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

The ruler’s concept of good differed from that of the Lord’s.

The moral worth of a person must be measured against a proper example of goodness. God is the only valid benchmark, and He revealed His holy character through the Mosaic Law.

Jesus helped the man to adjust his “goodness scale” to match God’s, and He also answered his question.

To gain entrance to the kingdom of God, one must obey the Law of Moses with sinless perfection.

God’s standard of goodness is perfection. This ruler, just like the Pharisees, lowered the bar that constituted goodness so that he, in his mind, could meet the standard required to be considered good.

Being good by human standards is not the same as being good by God’s standards. God must supply the kind of good necessary for us to reach eternal life.

There are numerous references to the goodness of God. Here are a few.

Psalm 34:8 (NIV84)

8Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Psalm 119:68 (NIV84)

68You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.

Nahum 1:7 (NIV84)

7The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,

James 1:16–18 (NIV84)

16Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.

17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Our good and magnificent God chose to give us the greatest gift, birth through the word of truth!

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