It is easy for goodness to degenerate into a cliche.The goodness described in the fruit of the Spirit is a positive goodness. There are various words for good in Scripture. This word describes the goodness that gives good things to others. The example of this is God, who gives good things even to those who oppose Him (Matthew 5:44-48; 7:11; 20:15). It goes beyond kindness, which can be understood as being somewhat passive, to giving positive benefits. One who is good produces good things that benefit others (Luke 6:45; Acts 11:24, Galatians 6:10). It is frequently used of good things done for the poor or unfortunate (Acts 9:36; Luke 1:53; 2 Corinthians 9:8). There is an idea that the way to relate to people is to be kind and not interfere. It says the best thing you can do for people is leave them alone. I certainly have some of this idea. Goodness goes beyond this to ask how can I positively help people.
I like your views of goodness. Not sure that I see how kindness is passive though.
ReplyDeleteHere I am trying to grasp the distinction between two words and trying to ask why Paul used them both. (I am influenced here by Trench in his Synonyms of the New Testament, though I have tried to reach my own opinion.) This is not a distinction I am willing to pound the pulpit on but it made sense to me.
DeleteIn my thinking there is nothing passive about the Fruit of the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteI do not know that I would say that kindness is necessarily passive, but could be misunderstood as passive. I believe the idea of goodness is added to avoid this misunderstanding. I do not see the fruit of the Spirit so much as individual boxes as a multifaceted gem. You need to look at all the facets to get a clear picture. If you take one facet in isolation from the other you can get a distorted picture.
DeleteI agree with your take on the multifaceted gem. My experience with that gem is that my flesh fights against the expression of the fruit of the Spirit. Kindness, love and the other facets required an active obedience to the promptings of the Spirit. There is nothing passive about walking in the Spirit.
ReplyDeleteOn that I would certainly agree. No one can simply expect to manifest the fruit of the Spirit without active obedience. I am not sure this is exactly what I meant by passive in my post, but I do not believe that type of passive should be advocated either. It is to oppose it I originally wrote the post.
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