– Originating from Latin (bonitas, benevolence, benignity, magnanimity), it is characteristic of those who are naturally inclined to do good.
– The OT records the goodness (compassion) of God towards creation and all men:
Wis 11,23-24 : Have compassion on everyone, because you can do everything.
– The psalms speak of him:
Ps 8,1-10 : O Lord […] how glorious is your name in all the earth! Your majesty extends, triumphant.
Ps 24,6-7 : Remember, Lord, your mercies and your kindnesses, which are eternal.
Psalm 30:20 : How great, Lord, is your goodness, which you have reserved for those who fear you.
Ps 33,8-9 : Taste and see how good the Lord is, happy is the man who takes refuge in him.
Ps 85,15 : But you, Lord, are a kind and compassionate God; slow to anger, full of mercy and faithfulness.
Ps 99,5 : For the Lord is good, his mercy is eternal and his faithfulness extends from generation to generation.
Ps 103,27-29 : You give and they take back; you open your hand, and they are filled with good things.
Ps 105 :1 : Praise the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.
Ps 118,39.67-68 : You who are good and beneficent, teach me your laws.
Ps 144,8-9 : The Lord is merciful and compassionate, generous and full of goodness. The Lord is good to all.
– Also in other books:
Ex 34,6 : Lord, Lord, God compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, rich in goodness and faithfulness.
Num 14:18 : The Lord is slow to anger and rich in goodness.
2Ch 5,13 : Praise the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.
2Ch 7,3 : Praise the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endures forever.
2Ch 20,21 : Praise the Lord, for his mercy is eternal!.
Es 3,11 : Because he is good and because his mercy towards Israel endures forever!
1Mk 4,24 : They lifted up the praises of the Lord to heaven, exclaiming: “He is good and his mercy endures forever”.
– In the NT, the great novelty of Jesus is to love one’s enemies; his mercy to sinners; kindness to the excluded:
Mt 5:44 : Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who mistreat and persecute you.
Jn 8:3 : The scribes and the Pharisees brought to him a woman who had been caught in adultery.
Mt 21:31 : Truly I say to you, publicans and harlots go before you into the kingdom of God!
Lc 6,35 : On the contrary, love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing from it.
Lk 15,11-32 : It was fitting, however, that we celebrate, for this brother of yours […] has come to life; he had been lost, and was found.
Lk 19:10 : For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
– His goodness is universal and extends to all nations free of charge:
Mt 5:45 : For he makes the sun rise both on the evil and on the good.
Mt 21:31 : Truly I say to you, publicans and harlots go before you into the kingdom of God!
Mt 28,19-20 : Go therefore and teach all nations; baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Lc 6,35 : On the contrary, love your enemies, do good and lend, expecting nothing from it.
Luke 15 : I tell you, there will be joy among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Lk 19:10 : For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.
Eph 2,8-10 : We are his workmanship, created in Jesus Christ for good deeds, which God prepared in advance.
– By his goodness and mercy, Gentiles and Jews are brought together by the cross of Christ:
Eph 1,11-23 : In him we were chosen, predestined according to the design of him who accomplishes everything.
Titus 3:4 : But one day the goodness of God our Savior and his love for men appeared.
