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What is the biblical definition of good?

Answered by Gene Cunningham, Basic Training Bible Ministries · from The Basics

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).

There 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).

Human 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).

Also asked: what is true good according to the bible? · what does the bible mean by the term agathos?
Also asked, more loosely
how does the bible distinguish between good produced by god and good produced by humans?

Source: The Basics The Basics -- Subject Index entry 'Good' (printed pp. 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 145, 176, 187, 197, 235) · Read this lesson in the book →

What this answer is about

The subjects this answer names in its own words. Where the record names that subject itself, it is shown in bold.

Divine goodEvilGoodGreek

Related questions

Scripture this answer rests on

Scripture the book prints on the pages this answer was drawn from. The passages printed closest to it are shown, in Bible order.

Isaiah 5:20-21What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.187
Romans 12:21What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.187
1 Corinthians 3:11-15What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.187
2 Corinthians 5:10What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.187
Jude 1:14-15What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.187
Also printed on these pages
Revelation 20:11-15What BTBM teaches from this chapter →Read it on Blue Letter Bible →
p.187

Where this is taught in the book

Closest first: the pages where the book treats this subject most directly.

Lesson 1–2: The Plan—Redemption

p.11

Lesson 1–1: The Problem—Sin

p.1p.3

Lesson 1–3: The Provision—The Cross

p.24p.25p.26

Lesson 2–2: The Base—The Church

p.75

Lesson 3–3: The Promise—Spirituality

p.143

Lesson 4–2: Perception—Discernment

p.185p.187

Lesson 2–4: The Equipment—Spiritual Gifts

p.94

Lesson 3–2: The Danger—Spiritual Retreat/Reversion

p.139

More pages teach this. The Source line above carries the full citation and opens the book.

Scripture is not BTBM’s to license: the references above link to Blue Letter Bible (NASB95), and the verse text shown on this page is served by BLB under their own license and terms.