Greek a--l · G2570
καλός
kaloskal-os'
primarily, of outward form ("related to . . . ἀγαθός as the appearance to the es; In reference to use, of that which is well adapted to its ends; Ethically
101 uses in the Greek text, one for each word STEP Bible has tagged with this key
Concordance spelling: kalós
Word page · Part of the concordance, one page for every word of the Hebrew and Greek text. Strong's G2570is this word's number in James Strong's 1890 index of the King James Bible.
- 16 of 27New Testament books
- 15spellings
- 3meanings
The definition in full
Strong's key (1890) · G2570
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)
The King James renders it: X better, fair, good(-ly), honest, meet, well, worthy.
James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890), public domain. Strong indexed the King James text, and this site quotes his entry as that index.
Summary
kalos is rendered "primarily, of outward form ("related to . . . ἀγαθός as the appearance to the es; In reference to use, of that which is well adapted to its ends; Ethically". It stands 101 times in the Greek text, across sixteen books.
- Twenty-one of the uses stand in Matthew, more than in any other book.
- The lexicon lists three meanings for it, beginning with "primarily, of outward form ("related to . . . ἀγαθός as the appearance to the es".
- Its first use in canonical order opens the ledger below.Matthew 3:10The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
- The Greek text spells it fifteen different ways.
The first use
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 3:10καλὸν
The first use, in the order of the New Testament's books.
Where the word stands
The word stands in sixteen of the 27 New Testament books.
What the word means
The word carries three meanings: primarily, of outward form ("related to . . . ἀγαθός as the appearance to the es, and In reference to use, of that which is well adapted to its ends, and Ethically.
Each meaning, and the words it is translated by
| Meaning | Tagged as | Where |
|---|---|---|
| primarily, of outward form ("related to . . . ἀγαθός as the appearance to the es | Tagged as
and 5 more, 24 uses in all | WhereLuke 21:5As some of the disciples were remarking how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and… |
| In reference to use, of that which is well adapted to its endsgood, excellent | Tagged as
| WhereMatthew 3:10The axe lies ready at the root of the trees… |
| Ethicallygood, in the sense of right, fair, noble, honourable | Tagged as
| WhereMatthew 5:16In the same way, let your light shine before men… |
The words built on the same word-part
Each word below begins with the same letters this one begins with. A shared word-part shows a family. It does not settle what any one of them means, so each word carries its own uses on its own page. Scholars call that shared part the stem.
| Word | Written | Meaning | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| καλοποιέω | kalopoieo | to do good | Uses1 |
| καλοδιδάσκαλος | kalodidaskalos | teaching good | Uses1 |
The words it stands beside
All 101, in canonical order
Every use, in order
Every use, grouped by book, with its verse.
15 spellings and their grammar
STEP Bible tags every word of the Hebrew and Greek text with its spelling and its grammar. Both lists below count the rows printed underneath, written out in English, with the code beside each one as it was tagged.
How it is spelled
- καλὸν43
- καλόν11
- καλὴν10
- καλὰ7
- καλῶν6
- καλὸς5
- καλοὺς4
- καλοῖς3
- καλοῦ3
- καλῇ2
- καλῆς2
- καλός2
and 3 more spellings in the ledger below.
The grammar of each form
- adjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singular27A-NSN
- adjective · accusative (object) · neuter singular16A-ASN
- adjective · accusative (object) · feminine singular11A-ASF
- adjective · accusative (object) · masculine singular11A-ASM
- adjective · nominative (subject) · masculine singular7A-NSM
- adjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter plural6A-GPN
- adjective · accusative (object) · neuter plural5A-APN
- adjective · accusative (object) · masculine plural3A-APM
- adjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter singular3A-GSN
- adjective · dative (“to / for”) · neuter plural2A-DPN
- adjective · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singular2A-DSF
- adjective · genitive (“of”) · feminine singular2A-GSF
Matthew
twenty-one uses
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
- καλὰkalaadjective · accusative (object) · neuter pluraltagged: good
Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
- καλοὺςkalousadjective · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: good
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
- καλοὺςkalousadjective · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: good
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
- καλόνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
Still other seed fell on good soil and produced a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.
- καλὴνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: good
But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”
- καλὴνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: good
Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
He replied, “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one,
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls.
- καλοὺςkalousadjective · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: fine
When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away.
- καλὰkalaadjective · accusative (object) · neuter pluraltagged: good
But Jesus replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: right
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
- καλόνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than to have two hands and two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire.
- καλόνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: better
And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
- καλόνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: better
Aware of this, Jesus asked, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: beautiful
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: Better
Mark
eleven uses
Still other seed fell on good soil, where it sprouted, grew up, and produced a crop—one bearing thirtyfold, another sixtyfold, and another a hundredfold.”
- καλὴνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: good
Still others are like the seeds sown on good soil. They hear the word, receive it, and produce a crop—thirtyfold, sixtyfold, or a hundredfold.”
- καλὴνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: good
“First let the children have their fill,” He said. “For it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
- καλόνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea.
- καλόνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: better
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.
- καλόνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: better
If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
- καλόνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: better
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
- καλόνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: better
Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: Good
But Jesus said, “Leave her alone; why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful deed to Me.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: A good
The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: better
Luke
nine uses
The axe lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
- καλόνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
But the seeds on good soil are those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, cling to it, and by persevering produce a crop.
- καλῇkaleaadjective · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: good
- καλῇkaleaadjective · dative (“to / for”) · feminine singulartagged: worthy
As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)
- καλόνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
Salt is good, but if the salt loses its savor, with what will it be seasoned?
- Καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: Good
As some of the disciples were remarking how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and consecrated gifts, Jesus said,
- καλοῖςkaloisadjective · dative (“to / for”) · masculine pluraltagged: goodly
John
seven uses
and said, “Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now!”
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
- καλόςkalosadjective · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: good
- καλὸςkalosadjective · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: good
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,
- καλὸςkalosadjective · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: good
But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?”
- καλὰkalaadjective · accusative (object) · neuter pluraltagged: good
“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.”
- καλοῦkalouadjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter singulartagged: a good
Acts
one use
After we had moved along the coast with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
- Καλοὺςkalousadjective · accusative (object) · masculine pluraltagged: Fair
Romans
five uses
And if I do what I do not want to do, I admit that the law is good.
- καλόςkalosadjective · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: good
I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
So this is the principle I have discovered: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- καλὰkalaadjective · accusative (object) · neuter pluraltagged: right
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
1 Corinthians
six uses
Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough?
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
2 Corinthians
two uses
For we are taking great care to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men.
- καλὰkalaadjective · accusative (object) · neuter pluraltagged: what is right
Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even if we appear to have failed.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: right
Galatians
three uses
Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: Good
- καλῷkaloadjective · dative (“to / for”) · neuter singulartagged: a right
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: well
1 Thessalonians
one use
but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
1 Timothy
sixteen uses
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it legitimately.
- καλὸςkalosadjective · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: good
Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight,
- καλὴνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: good
This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.
- καλοῦkalouadjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter singulartagged: of good
Furthermore, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the snare of the devil.
- καλὴνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: good
For those who have served well as deacons acquire for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
- καλὸςkalosadjective · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: good
- καλῆςkalesadjective · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: good
and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work.
- καλοῖςkaloisadjective · dative (“to / for”) · neuter pluraltagged: good
In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even the ones that are inconspicuous cannot remain hidden.
- καλὰkalaadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter pluraltagged: good
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
- καλὴνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: good
I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:
- καλὴνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: good
Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,
- καλοῖςkaloisadjective · dative (“to / for”) · neuter pluraltagged: good
treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
2 Timothy
three uses
Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
- καλὴνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: good
Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- καλὸςkalosadjective · nominative (subject) · masculine singulartagged: good
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · masculine singulartagged: good
Titus
five uses
In everything, show yourself to be an example by doing good works. In your teaching show integrity, dignity,
- καλῶνkalonadjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter pluraltagged: of good
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
- καλῶνkalonadjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter pluraltagged: of good
This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.
- καλῶνkalonadjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter pluraltagged: to good
- καλὰkalaadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter pluraltagged: excellent
And our people must also learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet the pressing needs of others, so that they will not be unfruitful.
- καλῶνkalonadjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter pluraltagged: to good
Hebrews
five uses
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
- καλοῦkalouadjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter singulartagged: good
who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age—
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: goodness
And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.
- καλῶνkalonadjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter pluraltagged: to good
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · nominative (subject) · neuter singulartagged: good
Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
- καλὴνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: a good
James
three uses
Are they not the ones who blaspheme the noble name by which you have been called?
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
- καλῆςkalesadjective · genitive (“of”) · feminine singulartagged: good
Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin.
- καλὸνkalonadjective · accusative (object) · neuter singulartagged: good
1 Peter
three uses
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
- καλήνkalenadjective · accusative (object) · feminine singulartagged: honorable
- καλῶνkalonadjective · genitive (“of”) · neuter pluraltagged: good
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
- καλοὶkaloiadjective · nominative (subject) · masculine pluraltagged: good
Where it leads
How the numbers are counted
Every count on this page comes from STEP Bible's tagged Hebrew and Greek text, the same text the ledger prints. A use is counted once each time the tagging marks a word with this key.
Spellings are counted as the Greek text spells them, with the sentence's own punctuation taken off the word first, so a form that ends a clause is not counted as a second spelling.
The words it stands beside are the nouns, verbs and adjectives immediately before or after it, counted in every verse where the word stands. The article, the conjunctions and the prepositions are left out, because they stand beside every word.
The family is read from the lexicon by the stem the two words share, with the accents off, and a person or a place named on the stem is left out.
