Definition and General Understanding:

The concept of "good" in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing moral excellence, righteousness, and the inherent nature of God. It is often contrasted with evil and is a central theme throughout the Scriptures. The term "good" is used to describe God's character, His creation, and the moral expectations He has for humanity.

God as the Ultimate Good:

The Bible consistently portrays God as the epitome of goodness. In Mark 10:18 , Jesus states, "No one is good except God alone." This declaration underscores the belief that all goodness originates from God and that He is the standard by which all good is measured. God's goodness is evident in His creation, His laws, and His redemptive plan for humanity.

Creation and Goodness:

The account of creation in Genesis highlights the inherent goodness of God's work. After each act of creation, God observes that it is "good" (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25). Finally, upon completing creation, God sees everything He has made and declares it "very good" (Genesis 1:31). This affirms that the original state of the world was one of harmony and perfection, reflecting God's good nature.

Moral Goodness and Human Conduct:

The Bible calls believers to emulate God's goodness in their lives. Micah 6:8 succinctly summarizes this call: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse emphasizes justice, mercy, and humility as expressions of goodness in human conduct.

The New Testament further elaborates on this theme. In Galatians 5:22-23 , goodness is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit, indicating that it is a result of living in accordance with the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to "not grow weary in doing good" (Galatians 6:9), highlighting the importance of perseverance in righteous living.

Goodness in Relationships:

Goodness is also a key component of relationships, both with God and with others. The greatest commandments, as stated by Jesus, are to love God and love one's neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39). This love is expressed through acts of goodness, kindness, and selflessness. In Romans 12:21 , Paul exhorts believers, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good," emphasizing the transformative power of goodness in overcoming sin and discord.

Goodness and Salvation:

While human efforts to be good are important, the Bible teaches that salvation is not achieved through good works alone. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast." Good works are a response to God's grace and a reflection of a transformed life, rather than a means to earn salvation.

Conclusion:

The biblical concept of good is deeply rooted in the character of God and His intentions for creation. It serves as a guiding principle for moral conduct, relationships, and the believer's journey of faith. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to reflect God's goodness in their lives, impacting the world around them.Nehemiah 5:8-19
And I said to them, We after our ability have redeemed our brothers the Jews, which were sold to the heathen; and will you even sell your brothers? or shall they be sold to us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.
Nave's Topical Index

Psalm 101:2
I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
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1 Thessalonians 1:6-8
And you became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost.
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1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise your youth; but be you an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
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Titus 2:7,8
In all things showing yourself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing soundness, gravity, sincerity,
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Hebrews 13:7
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken to you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
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James 5:10,11
Take, my brothers, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
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1 Peter 2:11-25
Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
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1 Peter 3:5,6
For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:
Nave's Topical Index

1 Peter 5:3
Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Nave's Topical Index

3958. pascho -- to suffer, to be acted on
... upon, suffer Definition: I am acted upon in a certain way, either good or bad ... Note
for example how Jesus in His perfect (sinless) humanity keenly (3958, see Lk ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3958.htm - 9k

But Let us not Give up the Practice of Good Works and Love. God ...
... Chapter XXXIII."But let us not give up the practice of good works and love. God
Himself is an example to us of good works. What shall we do, then, brethren? ...
/.../chapter xxxiii but let us not.htm

But Let us not Give up the Practice of Good Works and Love. God ...
... Good Works and Love. God Himself is an Example to Us of Good Works. What
shall we do, [4161] then, brethren? Shall we become slothful ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter xxxiii but let us not.htm

That the Example of Certain Saints who Seem to have Exercised ...
... Secondly, one may use zeal by doing actions of great virtue in order to give good
example, by suggesting remedies for evils, and exhorting men to apply them ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xvi that the example.htm

A Very Sweet Example on this Subject.
... CHAPTER V. A VERY SWEET EXAMPLE ON THIS SUBJECT. God is innocent to the innocent,
[592] good to the good, cordial to the cordial, tender towards the tender ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v a very sweet.htm

The Law, Even in Correcting and Punishing, Aims at the Good of Men ...
... So that, when one fails into any incurable evil,"when taken possession of, for example,
by wrong or covetousness,"it will be for his good if he is put to ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxvii the law even in.htm

Of the First Sentiments of Love which Divine Inspirations Cause in ...
... was as yet asleep in the bed of his infidelity, and behold how upon a sudden God
was present at the gate of his heart, and by the good example of these ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii of the first.htm

Letter xi. --Good Wishes.
... Profiting by such an example I return you a thousand good wishes of the same sort,
and in the same spirit as yours, and particularly that God will be pleased ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xi good wishes.htm

What Good Does it do Me that He Declares on his Oath that it was ...
... Why need he expose me to the ill-will of the multitude, and do more harm to me by
his praise than good to himself by putting me forward as his example? ...
/.../2 what good does it.htm

The Same Word Does not Always Signify the Same Thing.
... They signify contraries, for example, when they are used metaphorically at one time
in a good sense, at another in a bad, as in the case of the leaven ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 25 the same word does.htm

Letter vi. Associates and Friends.
... And it is a painful but well known fact that young people are much more
easily and quickly influenced by bad example than by good. ...
/.../letter vi associates and friends.htm

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