Greek · G2570, G2041 · unreviewed

καλός

Good · toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

καλός G2570 good

Pronunciation kalós

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ἔργον G2041 toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act

Pronunciation érgon

Work as visible deed or accomplishment, whether human action or divine work, emphasizing observable result over mere intention.

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What does καλός (kalós) mean in the Bible?

καλός · ἔργον is a Greek word meaning "properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from , which is properly intrinsic)". :--X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy. Repeated emphasis throughout Titus shows that visible goodness is a defining mark of redeemed community life.

Full entry for καλός (G2570, G2041) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e. valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished from , which is properly intrinsic)

Extended definition

Good as outwardly fit, valuable, or morally worthy—distinguished from intrinsic quality

:--X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.

Why This Word Matters

Repeated emphasis throughout Titus shows that visible goodness is a defining mark of redeemed community life. Titus 3:12-15

Grammatical Forms

How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.

Nominative · Singular · Neuter Matt 13:38 · Matt 15:26 · Matt 17:4 · Matt 18:8 · Matt 18:9 · Matt 26:24 · Mark 7:27 · Mark 9:5 · Mark 9:42 · Mark 9:43 · Mark 9:45 · Mark 9:47 · Mark 9:50 · Mark 14:21 · Luke 6:43 · Luke 9:33 27×

Nominative · Singular · Masculine John 10:11 · John 10:14 · Rom 7:16 · 1 Tim 1:8 · 1 Tim 4:6 · 2 Tim 2:3 7×

Nominative · Plural · Neuter 1 Tim 5:25 · Titus 3:8 2×

Nominative · Plural · Masculine 1 Pet 4:10 1×

Genitive · Plural · Neuter Titus 2:7 · Titus 2:14 · Titus 3:8 · Titus 3:14 · Heb 10:24 · 1 Pet 2:12 6×

Genitive · Singular · Neuter John 10:33 · 1 Tim 3:1 · Heb 5:14 3×

Genitive · Singular · Feminine 1 Tim 4:6 · Jas 3:13 2×

Dative · Singular · Feminine Luke 8:15 2×

Dative · Plural · Neuter 1 Tim 5:10 · 1 Tim 6:18 2×

Dative · Plural · Masculine Luke 21:5 1×

Biblical Occurrences

Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.

New Testament Witnesses

Titus 3:12-15 good works kalós · érgon Genitive · Plural · Neuter

Noble, beneficial actions.

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Acts 14 — Through Many Hardships into the Kingdom Acts 26 — Paul Before Agrippa: The Risen Christ Sends Light to Jews and Gentiles Acts 9 — The Risen Christ Converts His Fiercest Persecutor Galatians 2 — Justified by Faith: Gospel Unity, Apostolic Confrontation, and Life in Christ Galatians 3 — Faith, Promise, and the Curse-Bearing Christ Galatians 5 — Stand Firm in Freedom: Faith Working Through Love and Life by the Spirit Galatians 6 — Boasting Only in the Cross: Spirit-Shaped Community and New Creation John 10 — The Good Shepherd, the Door, and the Son One with the Father John 14 — The Way, the Truth, and the Life, the Father Revealed in the Son, and the Promise of the Spirit John 15 — The True Vine, Abiding Fruitfulness, Christlike Love, and the World’s Hatred John 17 — The Son’s High Priestly Prayer: Glory, Preservation, Sanctification, Unity, Mission, and Love John 5 — The Son Who Gives Life, Judges, and Is Witnessed by the Father John 6 — The Bread of Life, the Words of Eternal Life, and the Crisis of True Discipleship John 9 — The Man Born Blind, the Light of the World, and the Blindness of Religious Unbelief Mark 13 — Watch and Endure: Temple Judgment, Gospel Witness, Tribulation, the Son of Man, and Readiness Mark 14 — The Son of Man Handed Over: Anointing, Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Trial, and Denial Matthew 11 — The Messiah Question, the Rejected Generation, and Rest for the Weary Matthew 12 — The Lord of the Sabbath, the Servant of the Lord, and the Crisis of Unbelief Matthew 13 — The Kingdom in Parables: Hearing, Hiddenness, Growth, Worth, and Judgment Matthew 23 — Woes upon Hypocritical Leadership and the Lament over Jerusalem Matthew 5 — Kingdom Blessedness, Fulfilled Law, and Heart-Level Righteousness Matthew 7 — Kingdom Discernment, the Narrow Way, and the Wise Builder Romans 11 — The Remnant, the Grafted Gentiles, and the Mercy of God Toward Israel Romans 12 — Living Sacrifices, Renewed Minds, Humble Service, and Love Without Hypocrisy Romans 13 — Submission to Governing Authorities, Love as the Fulfillment of the Law, and Life in the Light of the Coming Day Romans 14 — Receiving One Another, Honoring the Lord, and Pursuing Peace in Matters of Conscience Romans 15 — Bearing with the Weak, Welcoming One Another, and Paul’s Priestly Mission to the Gentiles Romans 3 — All Under Sin and the Righteousness of God Revealed Through Faith in Christ Romans 4 — Abraham Justified by Faith and the Promise Secured by Grace Romans 9 — God’s Faithfulness, Sovereign Mercy, and Israel’s Stumbling Over Christ

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

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