Now I myself am confident concernering you, my brethern, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Romans 15:14 NKJV.
Goodness, agathosune, Strong’s # 19. Active goodness. In Galatians 5:22 refered to as goodness, but the English word is inclusive of particular graces whereas Paul must refer to a particular grace.
It is more than chrestotes (5544), a mellowing of character. It is character energized expressing itself in agathon (18), active good. There is more activity in agathosune than in chrestotes, which is potential agathosune which is energizing chrestotes.
A person may display his agathosune, his zeal for goodness and truth in rebuking, correcting, chastising. Christ’s righteous indignation in the temple (Matt. 21:13) showed His agathosune, but not His chrestotes, mellowness.
Agathosune, does not spare sharpness and rebuke to cause good, agathon, in others whereas chrestotes demonstrates only its softness and congeniality.
Admonish: exhort, counsel. Christians are often the best counselors for one another, especially when they understand the will of God as taught in Scripture, and are able to apply Scripture rightly to life.
This is a lead into tomorrow’s post. Too many Christians do not understand why it is important to know the meaning of words as used in the Word of God. I need all the help I can get, how about you?