Divine Blessings
A quick exploration of
"for good" in scripture
"for good" in scripture
Introduction
This is a quick study on the phrase "for good" in the NASB translation of the Bible.
This is not an exhaustive study by any means: just an attempt to quickly grab text from an English language Bible regarding the concept of "good" (the noun, not the adjective).
A broad survey might start with the concept of "good" (n) and all it's meanings and nuances in various contexts (a disambiguation), then look at where all those concepts appear in the original text, and all the various terms and idioms that address those concepts.
But this is just a quick scan --merely scratching the surface-- for the sake of possibly catching organic searches. (Glad you found us!)
Please contact Eumzero Esquerda at Peaceful Impact for Good with comments, corrections, and additions. Thanks!
This is not an exhaustive study by any means: just an attempt to quickly grab text from an English language Bible regarding the concept of "good" (the noun, not the adjective).
A broad survey might start with the concept of "good" (n) and all it's meanings and nuances in various contexts (a disambiguation), then look at where all those concepts appear in the original text, and all the various terms and idioms that address those concepts.
But this is just a quick scan --merely scratching the surface-- for the sake of possibly catching organic searches. (Glad you found us!)
Please contact Eumzero Esquerda at Peaceful Impact for Good with comments, corrections, and additions. Thanks!
New Testament
The phrase "for good" appears several times in the New Testament with various meanings.
Often the phrase "for good" appears where good is used an adjective ("for good ___") such as "for good works" or "for good deeds" (Eph 2:10, 1 Tim 5:10, Tit 2:14).
But for the sake of exploring the concept of an "impact for good" here we will look at references to good as a noun, as in goodness, wellness, value. Or, possibly, the idea of permanence, finality, or "once and for all."
A verse that comes to mind is Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." The word that Paul used was ἀγαθόν (agathon) which comes from the Greek word agathos (Strongs reference 18).
Often the phrase "for good" appears where good is used an adjective ("for good ___") such as "for good works" or "for good deeds" (Eph 2:10, 1 Tim 5:10, Tit 2:14).
But for the sake of exploring the concept of an "impact for good" here we will look at references to good as a noun, as in goodness, wellness, value. Or, possibly, the idea of permanence, finality, or "once and for all."
A verse that comes to mind is Romans 8:28 "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." The word that Paul used was ἀγαθόν (agathon) which comes from the Greek word agathos (Strongs reference 18).
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good...
...to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
According to Google Gemini, at its core, agathos conveys the idea of something being morally excellent, beneficial, or desirable. It encompasses both intrinsic goodness and external qualities that contribute to value.
The meaning of "work together for good" is simple here, but the assertion is profound. It points to the omnipotence and omniscience and providence of the Creator. All things means everything -- events, circumstances, good or evil, big or small -- God is actively causing all things to work together for His will and His purposes for the benefit of a group of people, namely "those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
The agathon is plainly good for certain people, not just for God. People who love God and are called according to His purpose may have various ideas about what is good. But in any case the action of causing all things to work together for good is clearly being done by God. The good here is the result of God's supernatural, active, intentional, elaborate orchestration. So the result of God's providential work must be understood as good by God's definition, that is, what God considers to be good.
Later in the same letter, the NASB translates the same word agathon as "for good" in Romans 13:4 referring to submission to rulers "for [the ruling authority] is a servant of God to you for good." Note again that the ruling authority-- in this case, the authority over the Romans to whom Paul was writing -- was a servant of God whether they knew it or not. This again points to the omnipotence and omniscience and providence of the Creator. Governments, rulers, armies, forces, laws, tribunals -- all of these -- are among the "all things" which God causes to "work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Rom 8:28)
The meaning of "work together for good" is simple here, but the assertion is profound. It points to the omnipotence and omniscience and providence of the Creator. All things means everything -- events, circumstances, good or evil, big or small -- God is actively causing all things to work together for His will and His purposes for the benefit of a group of people, namely "those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
The agathon is plainly good for certain people, not just for God. People who love God and are called according to His purpose may have various ideas about what is good. But in any case the action of causing all things to work together for good is clearly being done by God. The good here is the result of God's supernatural, active, intentional, elaborate orchestration. So the result of God's providential work must be understood as good by God's definition, that is, what God considers to be good.
Old Testament
The phrase "for good" appears several times in the NASB translation of the Old Testament.
When the word "good" is used as an adjective ("for good reason" Ezek 36:3) the list of good whatever could be very long.
For the sake of exploring the concept of an "impact for good" in the OT we will look at the concept of for good as a prepositional phrase (preposition and noun) meaning for [the sake of] goodness, wellness, value. Or, possibly, the idea of permanence, finality, or "once and for all."
Not surprisingly, the English idiom "for good" --with the meaning permanent or lasting-- is not used in the NASB.
The prepositional phrase "for good" is used repeatedly in NASB to translate variations of the Hebrew word טוֹב (towb Strong's 2896 pleasant, agreeable, good).
Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.
Notes: לְטֹבָ֔ה Strong's 2896[e] lə·ṭō·ḇāh
This is an illustration of the omnipotent, omniscient Creator allowing the evil intent of people (Joseph's brothers) to play a role in God's greater plan for good for many people, not just or Joseph or for his family unit -- "to keep many people alive." Undoubtedly Joseph was emotionally overwhelmed upon learning that his brother and half-brothers and his father were still alive, and how God put him in this extraordinary position to not only forgive them in a spectacular way, not only to lavish grace and mercy on them (a picture of God's grace and mercy), but to restore relationships that had been broken for many years, an open opportunity for repentance and restoration.
Deuteronomy 30:9 Then the Lord your God will prosper you abundantly in every work of your hand, in the children of your womb, the offspring of your cattle, and in the produce of your ground, for the Lord will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers;
Notes: לְט֔וֹב “le·to·v·vah;” 2896b: a good thing, benefit, welfare; from “towb”
The context is clearly referring to prosperity and abundance and productiveness, where everything “clicks” and seemingly works out well, goes your way
Nehemiah 5:19 Remember me, my God, [for good,] in return for all that I have done for this people.
Notes: לטובה “for the better” 2899b: welfare, benefit, good things, good, from “towb”
(see notes Deut 30:9) “in return for all [the good] that I have done for this people.”
Nehemiah 13:31 and I arranged for the delivery of wood at appointed times and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.
Notes: לְטוֹבָ֑ה “for the better” 2899b: welfare, benefit, good things, good, from “towb”
(see notes Deut 30:9) like a benediction at the end of the book, in a way saying “My LORD, see, I have done all this for you as your faithful servant, so please bless me.”
Psalm 119:122 Be a guarantor for Your servant for good; Do not let the arrogant oppress me.
Notes: לְטֹ֑וב (le·to·vv;) 2896b: a good thing, benefit, welfare, from “towb” (see notes Deut 30:9)
Jeremiah 21:10 For I have set My face against this city for harm and not for good,” declares the Lord. “It will be handed over to the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire.”’
Jeremiah 24:6 For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; and I will build them up and not overthrow them, and I will plant them and not uproot them.
Jeremiah 44:27 Behold, I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and all the people of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will meet their end by the sword or by famine until they are completely gone.
Amos 9:4 And though they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I will command the sword and it will kill them, And I will set My eyes against them for harm and not for good.”
When the word "good" is used as an adjective ("for good reason" Ezek 36:3) the list of good whatever could be very long.
For the sake of exploring the concept of an "impact for good" in the OT we will look at the concept of for good as a prepositional phrase (preposition and noun) meaning for [the sake of] goodness, wellness, value. Or, possibly, the idea of permanence, finality, or "once and for all."
Not surprisingly, the English idiom "for good" --with the meaning permanent or lasting-- is not used in the NASB.
The prepositional phrase "for good" is used repeatedly in NASB to translate variations of the Hebrew word טוֹב (towb Strong's 2896 pleasant, agreeable, good).
Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to keep many people alive.
Notes: לְטֹבָ֔ה Strong's 2896[e] lə·ṭō·ḇāh
This is an illustration of the omnipotent, omniscient Creator allowing the evil intent of people (Joseph's brothers) to play a role in God's greater plan for good for many people, not just or Joseph or for his family unit -- "to keep many people alive." Undoubtedly Joseph was emotionally overwhelmed upon learning that his brother and half-brothers and his father were still alive, and how God put him in this extraordinary position to not only forgive them in a spectacular way, not only to lavish grace and mercy on them (a picture of God's grace and mercy), but to restore relationships that had been broken for many years, an open opportunity for repentance and restoration.
Deuteronomy 30:9 Then the Lord your God will prosper you abundantly in every work of your hand, in the children of your womb, the offspring of your cattle, and in the produce of your ground, for the Lord will again rejoice over you for good, just as He rejoiced over your fathers;
Notes: לְט֔וֹב “le·to·v·vah;” 2896b: a good thing, benefit, welfare; from “towb”
The context is clearly referring to prosperity and abundance and productiveness, where everything “clicks” and seemingly works out well, goes your way
Nehemiah 5:19 Remember me, my God, [for good,] in return for all that I have done for this people.
Notes: לטובה “for the better” 2899b: welfare, benefit, good things, good, from “towb”
(see notes Deut 30:9) “in return for all [the good] that I have done for this people.”
Nehemiah 13:31 and I arranged for the delivery of wood at appointed times and for the first fruits. Remember me, my God, for good.
Notes: לְטוֹבָ֑ה “for the better” 2899b: welfare, benefit, good things, good, from “towb”
(see notes Deut 30:9) like a benediction at the end of the book, in a way saying “My LORD, see, I have done all this for you as your faithful servant, so please bless me.”
Psalm 119:122 Be a guarantor for Your servant for good; Do not let the arrogant oppress me.
Notes: לְטֹ֑וב (le·to·vv;) 2896b: a good thing, benefit, welfare, from “towb” (see notes Deut 30:9)
Jeremiah 21:10 For I have set My face against this city for harm and not for good,” declares the Lord. “It will be handed over to the king of Babylon and he will burn it with fire.”’
Jeremiah 24:6 For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; and I will build them up and not overthrow them, and I will plant them and not uproot them.
Jeremiah 44:27 Behold, I am watching over them for harm and not for good, and all the people of Judah who are in the land of Egypt will meet their end by the sword or by famine until they are completely gone.
Amos 9:4 And though they go into captivity before their enemies, From there I will command the sword and it will kill them, And I will set My eyes against them for harm and not for good.”