GOODNESS OF GOD
GOODNESS OF GOD
Relates to the absolute perfection of his own nature, and his kindness manifested to his creatures. Goodness, says Dr. Gill, is essential to God, without which he would not be God, Exo 33:19; Exo 34:6-7. Goodness belongs only to God, he is solely good, Mat 19:17; and all the goodness found in creatures are only emanations of the divine goodness. He is the chief good; the sum and substance of all felicity, Psa 144:12; Psa 144:15; Psa 73:25; Psa 4:6-7. There is nothing but goodness in God, and nothing but goodness comes from him, 1Jn 1:5. Jam 1:13-14. He is infinitely good; finite minds cannot comprehend his goodness, Rom 11:35-36. He is immutably and unchangeably good, Zep 3:17. The goodness of God is communicative and diffusive, Psa 119:68; Psa 33:5. With respect to the objects of it, it may be considered as general and special. His general goodness is seen in all his creatures; yea in the inanimate creation, the sun, the earth, and all his works; and in the government, support, and protection of the world at large, Psa 36:6; Psa 145:1-21. His special goodness relates to angels and saints. To angels, in creating, confirming, and making them what they are. To saints, in election, calling, justification, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, and eternal glorification. Gill’s Body of Civ. 5: 1. p. 133. 8 vo. ed.; Charnock’s Works, 5: 1. p. 574; Paley’s Nat. Theol. ch. 26; South’s admirable Sermon, on this Subject, vol. 8: ser. 3.; Tillotson’s Serm. ser. 143-146; Abernethy’s Serm. vol. 1: No. 2.
Fuente: Theological Dictionary
Goodness of God
denotes “both the absolute perfection of his own nature, and his kindness manifested to his creatures. Goodness, says Dr. Gill, is essential to God, without which he would not be God (Exo 33:19; Exo 34:6-7). Goodness belongs only to God; he is solely good (Mat 19:17), and all the goodness found in creatures is only an emanation of the divine-goodness. He is the chief good, the sum and substance of all felicity (Psa 144:2; Psa 144:15; Psa 25:7; Psa 73:25; Psa 4:6-7). There is nothing but goodness in God, and nothing but goodness comes from him (1Jn 1:5; Jam 1:13-14). He is infinitely good; finite minds cannot comprehend his goodness (Rom 11:35-36). He is immutably and unchangeably good (Zep 3:17). The goodness of God is communicative and diffusive (Psa 119:68; Psa 33:5). With respect to the objects of it, it may be considered as general and special. His general goodness is seen in all his creatures; yea, in the inanimate creation, the sun, the earth, and all his works; and in the government, support, and protection of the world at large (Psa 36:6; Psalms 145). His special goodness relates to angels and saints: to angels, in creating, confirming, and making them what they are; to saints, in election, calling, justification, adoption, sanctification, perseverance, and eternal glorification.” See Charnock, Works, 5, 1:574; Paley, Nat. Theol. chapter 26; South, Sermons, volume 8, serm. 3; Tillotson, Sermons, pages 143-146; Watson, Institutes, 1:420. SEE GOD.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Goodness of God
a perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. “Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but he is eternally infinitely just and merciful.” God is infinitely and unchangeably good (Zeph. 3:17), and his goodness is incomprehensible by the finite mind (Rom. 11: 35, 36). “God’s goodness appears in two things, giving and forgiving.”
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
GOODNESS OF GOD
Psa 25:8; Psa 33:5; Psa 34:8; Psa 119:68; Psa 145:7; Isa 63:7; Jer 33:11; Nah 1:7
Mat 19:17; Rom 2:4; Rom 11:22
–SEE Mercy (1), MERCIFULNESS
Lovingkindness, LOVINGKINDNESS