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χρηστός

chrēstós

G5543 predicate adjective

SILEX Entry

Definition

Having the quality of being well-disposed, kindly, or benevolent; exhibiting moral goodness or usefulness. The term primarily describes someone or something that is gentle, kind, or beneficial in character or action, including persons, speech, or commands. In various contexts, it can denote suitability, usefulness, or excellence, as well as a disposition that is favorable toward others.

Semantic Range

kind, good, gentle, benevolent, morally good, useful, gracious, suitable, easy (not harsh), beneficial

Root / Etymology

Derived from χράομαι (to use, employ), specifically from the verbal root χρη- with the adjectival suffix -στός, originally signifying 'fit for use' or 'useful.' The connection to moral qualities such as kindness and goodness develops secondarily from the sense of being beneficial or serviceable.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, χρηστός primarily indicated something that was 'suitable,' 'useful,' or 'good for its purpose,' such as tools or materials. Over time, especially in Hellenistic and Koine Greek, the meaning broadened to include a person's disposition: someone who is obliging, gentle, or morally good. In the Septuagint, χρηστός is frequently used to render Hebrew טוֹב (ṭov, 'good') and חָסִיד (ḥasid, 'kind, loyal'), reflecting both moral quality and benevolence. In the New Testament, χρηστός most often refers to God’s or Christ’s kindly disposition toward humanity, or to an ease or gentleness (e.g., Christ's 'yoke' being χρηστός, meaning not harsh or burdensome but manageable and suited for use). Standard English renderings like 'good,' 'kind,' 'gracious,' and 'gentle' capture aspects of its meaning but do not always reflect the underlying nuance of beneficial suitability or adaptable ease. The term does not inherently refer to religious or ritual piety but to positive moral or practical qualities in a wider sense. Contrast with ἀγαθός, which emphasizes intrinsic goodness or moral excellence more abstractly.

Translation Consistency

primary "kind" 4 occurrences

chrēstós most commonly describes a benevolent, gentle, or favorable character or action. "Kind" is a natural, everyday English word that captures the primary moral/benevolent sense (persons, speech, commands) while remaining idiomatic. It is more natural than more formal options like "beneficial" and more specific than the vague "good," so it best fits the typical usages in the SILEX range.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"good" (1x) "beneficial thing" (1x) "beneficial" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from χράομαι; employed, i.e. (by implication) useful (in manner or morals):--better, easy, good(-ness), gracious, kind.

Root Family

χρηστός (chrēstos) — useful, beneficial, kind, well-disposed

Root χρη- to use, be useful, to benefit

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5543-04 χρηστὸς chrestos ADJ.P NOM M SG easy beneficially kind is beneficially kind 4
G5543-03 χρηστὸν chreston ADJ.S NOM N SG kindness what is beneficial beneficial thing 1
G5543-01 χρηστὰ chresta ADJ.A ACC N PL good beneficial things beneficial 1
G5543-02 χρηστοί chrestoi ADJ.S NOM M PL kind benevolent ones kind ones 1

Occurrences in Scripture

7 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5543-04 Matthew 11:30 χρηστὸς chrestos ADJ.P NOM M SG easy beneficially kind is beneficially kind
G5543-04 Luke 5:39 χρηστός chrestos ADJ.P NOM M SG is good beneficially kind is good
G5543-04 Luke 6:35 χρηστός chrestos ADJ.P NOM M SG kind beneficially kind is beneficially kind
G5543-03 Romans 2:4 χρηστὸν chreston ADJ.S NOM N SG kindness what is beneficial beneficial thing
G5543-01 1 Corinthians 15:33 χρηστὰ chresta ADJ.A ACC N PL good beneficial things beneficial
G5543-02 Ephesians 4:32 χρηστοί chrestoi ADJ.S NOM M PL kind benevolent ones kind ones
G5543-04 1 Peter 2:3 χρηστὸς chrestos ADJ.P NOM M SG good beneficially kind is beneficially kind
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