What does it actually mean to be a good person?
Most of us probably have some idea. You probably even know someone who’s honest, treats people well, helps others, and genuinely cares.
For me, one of those people is a guy named Jeff. Years ago when I was moving, some friends offered to help and mentioned it to their coworkers. Jeff, their team leader, had never met me, but he showed up to help anyway. I still think about that when I think about goodness.
When the Apostle Paul lists “goodness” as a fruit of the Spirit, he’s talking about something we can see in the way someone lives. And according to Paul, it’s something God’s Spirit can grow in us.
So whether you’re new to following Jesus or you’ve been a Christian for years, this article will help you understand what Paul meant by goodness, see what it looks like in the Bible, and find some practical ways to show that same goodness to the people around you.
What Is ‘Goodness’ as a Fruit of the Spirit?
Goodness is the desire to do what is right and use what you have for the good of others.
The Greek word translated “goodness” is agathōsynē. It’s a pretty active word. It includes doing what’s right, helping others, and being generous with what we have.
Today, it could mean being honest when lying would be easier, helping someone who can’t repay you, standing up for someone who’s being treated unfairly, or being generous with your time and money.
But does that mean any of us are actually “good”?
Jesus once said, “No one is good, except God alone” (Mark 10:18 NIV). That might sound strange in an article about becoming more good, but it gets at an important part of what Paul means. Christians don’t believe we become good through willpower alone. God is the source of goodness, and the Holy Spirit gradually grows more of it in us as we follow Jesus.
Want to learn more about the Spirit’s fruit? Goodness is one of nine qualities Paul includes in the fruit of the Spirit. Explore our guide to the fruit of the Spirit to learn what each one means and how they work together.
What Are Some Examples of God’s Goodness?
Throughout the Bible, God’s goodness shows up in what He does for people. Here are a few examples:
- God gave Jonah another chance. Jonah ran in the opposite direction when God asked him to go to Nineveh. God didn’t give up on him and eventually used Jonah to help an entire city turn toward Him.
- God cared for Ruth in an incredibly difficult season. Ruth was a widow and an immigrant with very little security. Through Naomi and Boaz, God provided Ruth with community, food, and a new future.
- Jesus welcomed people others rejected. Zacchaeus had become rich by collecting taxes for Rome and was hated by his community. Jesus chose to have dinner with him, and the encounter changed Zacchaeus’ life.
- Jesus fed people who were hungry. When thousands of people followed Him into a remote area, Jesus fed them rather than sending them away hungry.
God provides, forgives, welcomes, and generously gives people what they need. That’s the same kind of goodness the Holy Spirit begins growing in us.
How Do I Show Goodness to Others?
Showing goodness doesn’t usually require doing something huge. For Jeff, it was taking a couple of hours to move boxes for a stranger. Here are some ways you can show goodness:
- Be generous. Share your time, money, attention, or whatever else you have with someone who needs it.
- Do the right thing when no one’s watching. Tell the truth, keep your word, and own your mistakes even when you could get away with doing otherwise.
- Speak up for someone. If someone is being mistreated, excluded, or talked about behind their back, don’t just go along with it.
- Have the hard conversation. Sometimes doing good for someone means telling them something they may not want to hear.
- Look for ways to help. Pay attention to what people around you need and step in when you can.
I’ve found that if you’re looking to do good, you’ll see opportunities everywhere. Especially as the Holy Spirit grows goodness in you. Then the question you need to answer is: How will you respond when you get the chance to do good?
Do Christians Have to Do Good Works?
Christians believe we’re saved by God’s grace, not by doing enough good things to earn it. Ephesians 2:8-9 makes that clear. But that doesn’t mean doing good is optional.
Just imagine walking up to Jesus and saying: “I don’t give, serve, or care for others—but I have great theology, so I’m all set, right?” How do you think He’d respond?
Jesus expected His followers to care for people in need, give generously, forgive others, love their enemies, and put His teachings into practice. He even warned against claiming to follow Him while ignoring how we treat other people in the parable of the sheep and goats.
Ephesians makes the same point. Right after saying we aren’t saved by good works, Paul says we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).
Jesus never imagined a version of following Him that leaves the way we live untouched.
So do Christians have to do good works to be saved? No. But Jesus never imagined a version of following Him that leaves the way we live untouched. If our faith doesn’t make us more generous, compassionate, honest, and willing to help people, we should ask: Are we actually following Jesus or simply saying we believe in Him?
A Prayer for Goodness
You can ask God to help His goodness show up in the way you live. Your prayer doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s one way to start:
God, thank You for being good. Holy Spirit, grow that goodness in me. Help me notice where I can do good today, and give me the courage to act when I have the opportunity. Help me be generous with what I have and treat people in a way that looks more like Jesus. Amen.
Goodness Grows Over Time
You won’t become perfectly good overnight. That’s why Paul calls goodness a fruit of the Spirit. It’s something God grows in us as we follow Him.
Over time, you may find yourself becoming more generous, more willing to do the right thing when it’s difficult, or quicker to notice when someone needs your help. Those changes may seem small, but they matter.
Keep asking God to grow goodness in you, and keep looking for opportunities to put it into practice!