"to do good, do well; to do what is morally correct (1 Pet. 2:15, 20)"
Definition and meaning
to do good, do well; to do what is morally correct (1 Pet. 2:15, 20)
In the original Greek the word is written: ἀγαθοποιέω
Historical context
The Gospel of Mark moves urgently — the word "immediately" appears over 40 times. It was written for a Roman audience familiar with power and action. Jesus is portrayed as a man who acts, heals, and commands authority that the Roman world had never seen from a Jewish teacher.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of agathopoieo (G15) across the King James Bible.
And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
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Common questions
Strong's G15 (agathopoieo) is a Greek word that means: to do good, do well; to do what is morally correct (1 Pet. 2:15, 20) It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word agathopoieo (G15) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G15 is agathopoieo, a Greek word defined as: to do good, do well; to do what is morally correct (1 Pet. 2:15, 20). James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
agathopoieo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.