Three Good Words
Introduction
χρηστότης, ητος, ἡ
χρηστότης, ητος, ἡ
① uprightness in one’s relations with others, uprightness—ποιεῖν χρηστότητα do what is good (Ps 36:3 do טוֹב [37:3 Mt]) Ro 3:12 (cp. Ps 13:3). But this pass. belongs equally well in 2 below, for the reason cited in χρηστός 3.
② the quality of being helpful or beneficial, goodness, kindness, generosity
① uprightness in one’s relations with others, uprightness—ποιεῖν χρηστότητα do what is good (Ps 36:3 do טוֹב [37:3 Mt]) Ro 3:12 (cp. Ps 13:3). But this pass. belongs equally well in 2 below, for the reason cited in χρηστός 3.
② the quality of being helpful or beneficial, goodness, kindness, generosity
It is the grace which pervades the whole nature, mellowing all which would be been harsh and austere. Thus, wine is chrēstós (5543), mellowed with age (Luke 5:39). The word is descriptive of one’s disposition and does not necessarily entail acts of goodness as does the word agathōsúnē (19), active benignity.
Only in Paul’s writings. The radical idea of the word is profitableness. Compare have become unprofitable. Hence it passes readily into the meaning of wholesomeness. See on Matt. 11:30. It is opposed by Paul to ἀποτομία abruptness, severity (Rom. 11:22). It is rendered kindness in Eph. 2:7; Col. 3:12; Gal. 5:22. Paul, and he only, also uses ἀγαθωσύνη for goodness. The distinction as drawn out by Jerome is that ἀγαθωσύνη represents a sterner virtue, showing itself in a zeal for truth which rebukes, corrects, and chastises, as Christ when He purged the temple. Χρηστότης is more gentle, gracious, and kindly. Bishop Lightfoot defines it as a kindly disposition to one’s neighbor, not necessarily taking a practical form, while ἀγαθωσύνη energizes the χρηστότης.
“Good” is chrēstotēs (χρηστοτης), “moral goodness, integrity, benignity, kindness.”