{
 "id": "basics-def-good",
 "question": "What is the biblical definition of good?",
 "answer": "Good, specifically the Greek term agathos, refers to absolute and intrinsic good. This ultimate good is not always immediate; rather, it is the long-term view of God who is concerned with a person's eternal destiny and the character they develop over time (Rom. 8:28).\n\nThere is a critical distinction between divine good and human good. Divine good is that which can be produced only by God through the working of the Spirit of God together with the Word of God. In contrast, human good is relative and dead in God's sight, as man in himself possesses no good thing (Rom. 7:18).\n\nHuman good is actually a manifestation of evil because it is produced independently of God, and the essence of evil is independence of God. While human good is like a filthy garment (Isa. 64:6) and consists of \"dead works\" (Heb. 6:1–2), divine good is the only means by which evil can be conquered (Rom. 12:21).",
 "url": "/faq/what-is-the-biblical-definition-of-good/",
 "unit": null,
 "lesson": null,
 "lesson_title": null,
 "question_type": null,
 "tier": 2,
 "faq_class": "definition",
 "aeo_questions": [
  "what does the bible mean by the term agathos?",
  "what is true good according to the bible?",
  "how does the bible distinguish between good produced by god and good produced by humans?"
 ],
 "topic_anchor": "Good",
 "derivation": "generated",
 "source_authority": "authoritative",
 "author": "Gene Cunningham",
 "book": "The Basics",
 "source": {
  "doc_id": "btbm-01-TheBasics-8-10-24",
  "ref": "The Basics -- Subject Index entry 'Good' (printed pp. 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 145, 176, 187, 197, 235)",
  "book_page": [
   1,
   235
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  ]
 },
 "scripture": [
  {
   "display": "Isaiah 5:20-21",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    199
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Romans 12:21",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    199
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "1 Corinthians 3:11-15",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    199
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "2 Corinthians 5:10",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    199
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Jude 1:14-15",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    199
   ]
  },
  {
   "display": "Revelation 20:11-15",
   "osis": null,
   "book_pages": [
    199
   ]
  }
 ],
 "topics": [
  "Divine good",
  "Evil",
  "Good",
  "Greek"
 ],
 "topics_context": [
  "Power",
  "Power and Holy Spirit",
  "Faith and salvation",
  "gifts of God",
  "Christian, way of life",
  "Plan of God"
 ],
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