Goodness | A Bible Class on the Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit

The next part of the Spirit’s fruit Paul mentioned is goodness. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Gal 5:22–23).

It is not possible to be morally good. “No one is good—except God alone” (Mk 10:18). One sin in our entire lives would be enough to blacken the soul, require the death of the Son of God, and keep us from being morally good.

While the Greek terms for “good” and “goodness” (like the English words) are quite similar, they are different. “Goodness” is used four times in the New Testament and is always used of the duty of man.

• “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another” (Rom 15:14).
• Galatians 5:22.
• “The fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth” (Eph 5:9).
• “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith” (2 Thess 1:11).

The Greek term for goodness means to seek that which is good.

Here’s what we need to understand: Only God can be morally good—i.e., perfect. Yet, we need to seek that which is good—i.e., we need to do good, to seek to imitate God. “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48).

How do Christians seek that which is good?

What things can the Christian do which demonstrate he seeks the good?

How does the spirit produce goodness in our lives?

This Bible class was originally taught by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at Church of Christ Deer Park in Deer Park, Texas.