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ἀγαθοποιός

agathopoiós

G17 substantive adjective

SILEX Entry

Root ἀγαθοποι- to do good, to act beneficially, to perform positive actions

Definition

One who does what is good or beneficial; a person who acts in a morally upright, virtuous, or beneficial manner, often with an emphasis on concrete actions that are socially or ethically positive. In specific contexts, refers to those who engage in responsible or commendable conduct, especially as recognized by broader society or authorities.

Semantic Range

one who does good, a person who acts beneficially, well-doer, benefactor, doer of good deeds, person engaging in praiseworthy conduct

Root / Etymology

From ἀγαθός ('good,' 'beneficial') + ποιέω ('to do,' 'to make'); literally 'one who does good'.

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term ἀγαθοποιός is rare and occurs only in later Greek, notably in the New Testament (primarily 1 Peter 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:15). In these contexts, it describes individuals who persist in socially recognized good actions, often contrasted with those who break laws or cause harm. The term is not technical and lacks the philosophical nuances of words like δίκαιος (righteous, just) or ἀρετή (virtue), focusing rather on practical benefits to others or the community. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek outside the NT, the term is scarcely attested but would have been transparent in its meaning to Greek speakers due to its compositional elements. Standard English translations sometimes render the word as 'well-doer' or 'those who do good', but may obscure the concrete action-oriented emphasis of the Greek. In the NT context, particularly in 1 Peter, ἀγαθοποιός refers to those who do what is perceived as good by societal standards, not necessarily only in a religious or theological sense.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from ἀγαθός and ποιέω; a well-doer, i.e. virtuous:--them that do well.

Root Family

ἀγαθοποιός (agathopoios) — to do good, to act beneficially, to perform positive actions

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G17-01 ἀγαθοποιῶν agathopoion ADJ.S GEN M PL those who do good of good-doers of good-doers 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G17-01 1 Peter 2:14 ἀγαθοποιῶν agathopoion ADJ.S GEN M PL those who do good of good-doers of good-doers
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