Most people will read the title of this article and immediately think, “Of
course a person can do good.” After all, Jesus said, “A good (_agathos_) man
out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things” (Matthew
12:35). Paul instructed Christians to (simply) “do good to all” (Galatians
6:10). He later reminded the disciples in Corinth that “we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done
in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or evil” (2
Corinthians 5:10). And John wrote: “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but
what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen
God” (3 John 11).

So why such an elementary question? This question is occasionally asked by
skeptics who want to know why the Bible repeatedly teaches that God’s people
are to “do good,” if, as other biblical passages teach, “there is none who
does good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:3; 53:3; Romans 3:12; cf. Mark 10:18). “For
there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin” (Ecclesiastes
7:20; cf. Isaiah 64:6). Thus, Bible critics ask, “How can the Bible teach that
Christians are to do good, if no one can actually be good?”

The question is a fair question. Admittedly, the Bible’s different uses of the
term “good” may be confusing to some initially. As with the solution to so
many alleged Bible contradictions, however, the answer actually is very
simple: words are used in different senses. The term “good” can be used in
different ways and in varying degrees. We can talk of a good pizza, a good
day, a good dog, a good boy, and our good God, and mean somewhat (or perhaps
very) different things.

In the purest and highest meaning of the word, only God is “good.” Jesus
referred to this supreme goodness when He said to the rich young ruler, “No
one is good but One, that is, God” (Mark 10:18). God is absolutely good,
perfectly good, unceasingly good, and exclusively good. He is completely free
of flaw and lacks nothing. Conversely, no human fits this description. Even
so-called “good” people (who strive to live according to God’s perfect Word),
are flawed. No human is totally unblemished. “All have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Thus, “there is none who does good
[flawlessly, constantly, and exclusively], no, not one” (Romans 3:12).

Still, people can “do good.” According to Scripture, the obedient follower of
God “does good.” It does not mean that the person is perfectly good, but that
the general direction of his or her life is moving toward God, the ultimate
Lawgiver and definition of good. Those who “seek peace” and “pursue it” are
considered “good” in God’s sight (Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 3:11), and have the
promise that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to
those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Through synergy—cooperating with God's grace—Christians are empowered to genuinely do good.