ἀγαθός
agathos
good
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἀγαθός (agathos) is a fundamental concept in the New Testament, appearing 103 times in the Bible. Its short definition is "good," but this encompasses a range of meanings that go beyond a simple positive connotation. In its various contexts, ἀγαθός refers to that which is beneficial, advantageous, or pleasant. The word ἀγαθός is used to describe a wide range of things, from material possessions to moral qualities. It can denote something that is useful or helpful, such as a good deed or a beneficial action. In other cases, it describes a person's character, highlighting their kindness, generosity, or compassion. The word is also used to describe God's nature and actions, emphasizing His benevolence and goodness. The significance of ἀγαθός lies in its connection to the concept of God's goodness and the moral standards it implies. By emphasizing the importance of goodness, the word encourages readers to strive for virtues such as kindness, generosity, and compassion. In this sense, ἀγαθός serves as a guiding principle for living a virtuous life, one that is in harmony with God's nature and will.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
103 total occurrences across the text — showing 50
that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Matthew 7:11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:17Even so, every good tree produces good fruit; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
Matthew 7:18A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
Matthew 12:34You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:35The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.
Matthew 12:35The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.
Matthew 12:35The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things.
Matthew 19:16Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
Matthew 19:16Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
Matthew 19:17He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Matthew 19:17He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
Matthew 20:15Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’
Matthew 22:10Those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests.
Matthew 25:21“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Matthew 25:23“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Mark 3:4He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?” But they were silent.
Mark 10:17As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
Mark 10:18Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.
Mark 10:18Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.
Luke 1:53He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
Luke 6:45The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
Luke 8:8Other fell into the good ground, and grew, and produced one hundred times as much fruit.” As he said these things, he called out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Luke 8:15Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.
Luke 10:42but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 11:13If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Luke 12:18He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
Luke 12:19I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” ’
Luke 16:25“But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But here he is now comforted, and you are in anguish.
Luke 18:18A certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
Luke 18:19Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one: God.
Luke 18:19Jesus asked him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good, except one: God.
Luke 19:17“He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
Luke 23:50Behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man
John 1:46Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
John 7:12There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but he leads the multitude astray.”
Acts 9:36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
Acts 11:24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.
Acts 23:1Paul, looking steadfastly at the council, said, “Brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until today.”
Romans 2:7to those who by perseverance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life;
Romans 2:10But glory, honor, and peace go to every man who does good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 3:8Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), “Let’s do evil, that good may come?” Those who say so are justly condemned.
Romans 5:7For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.
Romans 7:12Therefore the law indeed is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good.
Romans 7:13Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.
Romans 7:13Did then that which is good become death to me? May it never be! But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, was producing death in me through that which is good; that through the commandment sin might become exceedingly sinful.
Romans 7:18For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.