ἀγαθοποιέω (G15) — Greek Lexicon

ἀγαθοποιέω

agathopoiéō

G15 verb

SILEX Entry

Root ἀγαθ-ποι- to do good, to act beneficially, to practice virtue

Definition

To do what is good—specifically, to engage in beneficent action, to practice upright or ethical behavior in relation to others. The primary sense involves the intentional performance of acts deemed good or beneficial within a social, ethical, or communal context. Depending on context, it may refer to acts of charity, fulfilling one's moral obligations, or behaving rightly toward others.

Semantic Range

to perform good deeds, to act beneficently, to practice upright conduct, to show kindness, to fulfill moral or social duties, to act charitably

Root / Etymology

Compound of ἀγαθός ('good') + ποιέω ('to do, to make') through the intermediary noun ἀγαθοποιός ('doer of good'), forming a denominative verb. Attested formation is common in Hellenistic Greek for action verbs based on compounded nouns.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The verb ἀγαθοποιέω is rare in classical Greek but becomes more frequent in Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint and New Testament. In classical sources, its meaning is closely related to performing good deeds or acting virtuously. In the Septuagint and especially the New Testament, the verb commonly refers to concrete acts of kindness, charity, or moral rectitude—the practical outworking of ethical teaching. In New Testament usage (notably in 1 Peter), it often contrasts with κακοποιέω ('to do evil'), underscoring a dichotomy between morally commendable behavior and wrongdoing, especially amid social or communal tensions. Standard English translations such as 'do good' and 'be a well-doer' may not fully convey the sense of ongoing, habitual beneficence implied by the Greek, nor the broad ethical context in which good behavior is recommended or prescribed, whether as a civic duty, an expression of virtue, or out of religious piety.

Translation Consistency

primary "do" 10 occurrences

Agathopoiéō is primarily the simple, practical idea of performing good deeds or acting beneficently; the most natural and frequent English rendering in the P2 data is forms of “do” (doing, do, does). Choosing the basic verb “do” provides a neutral, flexible base that can be paired with context or an object (e.g., “do good,” “do what is right”) to capture the full semantic range while keeping translations consistent and idiomatic. More specific verbs (benefit, perform, practice) are either too formal or limit the typical usage.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀγαθοποιός; to be a well-doer (as a favor or a duty):--(when) do good (well).

Root Family

ἀγαθοποιέω (agathopoieō) — to do good, to act beneficially, to practice virtue

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G15-05`	ἀγαθοποιοῦντας	agathopoiountas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	doing good	doing good	doing good	3
`G15-02`	ἀγαθοποιῆσαι	agathopoiesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to do good	to do good	to do good	2
`G15-01`	ἀγαθοποιεῖτε	agathopoieite	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	do good	Keep doing good	Keep doing good	1
`G15-04`	ἀγαθοποιῶν	agathopoion	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	does good	of good-doers	does good	1
`G15-07`	ἀγαθοποιοῦσαι	agathopoiousai	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL`	doing good	actively doing good	actively doing good	1
`G15-03`	ἀγαθοποιῆτε	agathopoiete	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	you do good	you may be doing good	you do good	1
`G15-06`	ἀγαθοποιοῦντες	agathopoiountes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	doing good	those doing good	doing good	1

Occurrences in Scripture

10 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G15-02`	Mark 3:4	ἀγαθοποιῆσαι	agathopoiesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to do good	to do good	to do good
`G15-02`	Luke 6:9	ἀγαθοποιῆσαι	agathopoiesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to do good	to do good	to do good
`G15-03`	Luke 6:33	ἀγαθοποιῆτε	agathopoiete	`V PRS ACT SUBJ 2P PL`	you do good	you may be doing good	you do good
`G15-05`	Luke 6:33	ἀγαθοποιοῦντας	agathopoiountas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	who do good	doing good	doing good
`G15-01`	Luke 6:35	ἀγαθοποιεῖτε	agathopoieite	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	do good	Keep doing good	Keep doing good
`G15-05`	1 Peter 2:15	ἀγαθοποιοῦντας	agathopoiountas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	doing good	doing good	doing good
`G15-06`	1 Peter 2:20	ἀγαθοποιοῦντες	agathopoiountes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	doing good	those doing good	doing good
`G15-07`	1 Peter 3:6	ἀγαθοποιοῦσαι	agathopoiousai	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM F PL`	doing good	actively doing good	actively doing good
`G15-05`	1 Peter 3:17	ἀγαθοποιοῦντας	agathopoiountas	`V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL`	doing good	doing good	doing good
`G15-04`	3 John 1:11	ἀγαθοποιῶν	agathopoion	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	does good	of good-doers	does good

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