A. ADJECTIVES 1. crestos (crhstov”, 5543), said of things, of what is pleasant. Said of people, kind, benign. It is translated as “benign” in Luk 6:35; in Eph 4:32 “the kindness of the Lord” (KJV: “that the Lord is kind”); in Rom 2:4 “(his of him) kindness of him”. See GOOD, BETTER. 2. eupeithes (eujpeiqhv”, 2138), willing to obey (eu, well; peithomai, obey, be persuaded), docile. Translated “benign” (VM: “prone to please”) in Jam 3:17:¶ B. Name crestotes (crhstovth”, 5544), related to A, No. 1. Denotes benignity or kindness: (a) in the sense of what is right, just (Rom 3:12), translated “what is good”; (b) in the sense of a kind disposition of heart, or kindness in deed, said of God (Rom 2:4 “kindness”; 11.22, three times; Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4 “goodness”) ; said of believers and translated “benignity” (Gl 5.22; Col 3:12); also of believers, and translated “goodness” (2Co 6:6). It means, “not merely goodness as a quality, but goodness in action, a kindness that is expressed in concrete performances; but not kindness expressing itself in an angry manner against sin, for it is contrasted in Rom 11:22 with severity, but in grace, tenderness, and compassion” (from Notes on Galatians, by Hogg and Vine, p. 292). See KINDNESS, GOOD.¶ Note: The adjective crestos is translated in Rom 2:4 as a noun: “kindness.” See A, No. 1. C. Verb cresteuomai (crhsteuvomai, 5541), related to A, No. 1, to be benign. It is said of love (1Co 13:4).¶
Source: Vine New Testament Dictionary
The adjective “benign” translates the Greek chrēstos, which is used of God (Lk. 6:35; 1 Pet. 2:3) and men (Eph. 4:32) in the sense of loving, friendly, generous. The expression to chrēston is used of God (Rom. 2:4) and the abstract noun “kindness” (chrēstotēs) in the sense of kindness or generosity also refers to him (eg, Eph. 2:7 “kindness” in RV60). It is also used of man (eg, 2 Cor. 6:6; Gal. 5:22 “goodness” in KJV). The verb to be kind, loving and merciful (chrēsteuomai) occurs in 1 Cor. 13:4. Outside the NT the word occurs in the LXX and in patristic and secular writers. The word Christ was often written Chrēstos (itacism), “the Friendly”.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Arndt; LC.
- Theodore Muller
RV60 Reina-Valera, Revision 1960
LXX Septuagint
LC Lutheran Cyclopædia
Harrison, EF, Bromiley, GW, & Henry, CFH (2006). Dictionary of Theology (85). Grand Rapids, MI: Challenge Books.
Source: Dictionary of Theology