Galatians 5:22, The Fruit of the Spirit Is Goodness

The Fruit of the Spirit is Goodness, Galatians 5:22

EASTON'S BIBLE DICTIONARY: GOODNESS OF GOD

A perfection of His character which He exercises towards His creatures according to their various circumstances and relations

Psalm 145:8, 9, The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Psalm 103:8, The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

1 John 4:8, He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of His creatures, it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience as exercised in communicating favor on the unworthy it is grace.

Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but he is eternally infinitely just and merciful."

God is infinitely and unchangeably good.

Zephaniah 3:17, The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

His goodness is incomprehensible by the finite mind.

Romans 11:35, 36, Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Goodness (19) (agathosune from agathos = benevolent, profitable, benefiting others) describes active goodness, virtue, excellence or beneficence. It is high moral character reflected in to being good in both nature and effectiveness.

Agathosune finds its fullest and highest expression in that which is willingly and sacrificially done for others. It is moral and spiritual excellence manifested in active kindness.

Agathosune describes a positive moral quality characterized especially by interest in the welfare of others.

Agathosune refers to active goodness as an energetic principle. It is the generosity which springs from the heart that is kind and will always take care to obtain for others that which is useful or beneficial.

Thayer says that agathosune is found only in biblical and ecclesiastical writings.