Thayer-18

ἀγαθός, (ή, (akin to ἄγαμαι to wonder at, think highly of, ἀγαστός admirable), in general denotes "perfectus, ... qui habet in se ac facit omnia quae habere et facere debet pro notione nominis, officio ac lege" (Irmisch ad Herodian, 1, 4, p. 134), excelling in any respect, distinguished, good. It can be predicated of persons, things, conditions, qualities and affections of the soul, deeds, times and seasons.

1. of a good constitution or nature: γη, Luk_8:8; δενδρον, Mat_7:18, in sense equivalent to 'fertile soil,' 'a fruitful tree.' In Luk_8:15 αγαθη καρδια corresponds to the figurative expression good ground, and denotes a soul inclined to goodness, and accordingly eager to learn saving truth and ready to bear the fruits (καρπους αγαθους, Jas_3:17) of a Christian life.

2. useful, salutary: δοσις αγαθη (joined to δωρημα τελειον) a gift which is truly a gift, salutary, Jas_1:17; δοματα αγαθα, Mat_7:11; εντολη αγαθος a commandment profitable to those who keep it, Rom_7:12; αγαθος μερις the 'good part,' which insures salvation to him who chooses it, Luk_10:42; εργον αγαθον the saving work of God, i.e. substantially, the Christian life, due to divine efficiency, Php_1:6; εις αγαθον for good, to advantage, Rom_8:28; good for, suited to something: προς οικοδομην, Eph_4:29.

3. of the feeling awakened by what is good, pleasant, agreeable, joyful, happy: ημεραι αγαθας 1Pe_3:10; ελπις, 2Th_2:16; συνειδησις, a peaceful conscience, equivalent to consciousness of rectitude, Act_23:1; 1Ti_1:5; 1Ti_1:19; 1Pe_3:16; reconciled to God, 1Pe_3:21.

4. excellent, distinguished: so τι αγαθον, Joh_1:46.

5. upright, honorable: Mat_12:34; Mat_19:16; Luk_6:45; Act_11:24; 1Pe_3:11, etc.; πονηροι και αγαθοι, Mat_5:45; Mat_22:10; αγαθος και δικαιος, Luk_23:50; καρδια αγαθη και καλη, Luk_8:15; fulfilling the duty or service demanded, δουλε αγαθε και πιστε, Mat_25:21; Mat_25:23; upright, free from guile, particularly from a desire to corrupt the people, Joh_7:12; preeminently of God, as consummately and essentially good, Mat_19:17 (Mar_10:18; Luk_18:19); αγαθος θησαυρος in Mat_12:35; Luk_6:45 denotes the soul considered as the repository of pure thoughts which are brought forth in speech. In a narrower sense, benevolent, kind, generous: Mat_20:15; 1Pe_2:18; μνεια, 1Th_3:6; beneficent, Rom_5:7.

The neuter used substantively denotes:

1. a good thing, convenience, advantage: in the plural, external goods, riches: Luk_1:53; Luk_12:18f; τα αγαθα σου comforts and delights which thy wealth procured for thee in abundance, Luk_16:25 (opposed to κακα); outward and inward good things, Gal_6:6.

2. the benefits of the Messianic kingdom: Rom_10:15; τα μελλοντα αγαθων, Heb_9:11; Heb_10:1.

3. what is upright, honorable, and acceptable to God: Rom_12:2; εργαζεσθαι το αγαθον Rom_2:10; Eph_4:28; πρασσειν, Rom_9:11; (2Co_5:10); διωκειν, 1Th_5:15; μιμεισθαι, 3Jn_1:11; κολλασθαι τω αγαθω Rom_12:9; τι με ερωτας περι του αγαθου, Mat_19:17. Specifically, what is salutary, suited to the course of human affairs: in the phrase διακονος εις το αγαθον Rom_13:4; of rendering service, Gal_6:10; Rom_12:21; το αγαθον σου the favor thou conferrest, Phm_1:14.