εὐδοκία (eudokia)
eudokia
goodwill
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun eudokia signifies a state of good pleasure or benevolent goodwill. It describes not merely a casual preference, but a deliberate and satisfied choice rooted in kindness. In the New Testament, this term appears nine times, often highlighting God’s intentional favor toward humanity rather than human effort.
A key distinction lies in its usage to describe divine initiative. For instance, Jesus praises the Father for revealing truths to the simple "because it seemed good pleasure (eudokia) to You" in Luke 10:21 and Matthew 11:26. This usage underscores that salvation and revelation stem from God’s free and joyful decision, not from human merit.
The word also appears in Paul’s letters to describe the inner work of God in believers. In Philippians 2:13, Paul writes that God works in us "both to will and to do of his good pleasure." Here, eudokia refers to the divine satisfaction that motivates and enables Christian obedience, framing spiritual growth as a response to God’s gracious intent.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eudokia points to a deep, benevolent goodwill that flows from God’s heart. It is not a casual preference but a deliberate choice rooted in kindness and satisfaction. When we read that God revealed truth to the simple because it was His good pleasure, we see that salvation rests entirely on His initiative, not our merit. This reality brings immense comfort, knowing that our standing before Him depends on His joyful desire to bless us.
This same goodwill actively works within believers today. In Philippians, Paul reminds us that God is at work in us, enabling both the will and the action that please Him. Spiritual growth, then, is not a burden of self-effort but a response to His gracious intent. We are invited to rest in the assurance that He delights in shaping us into the people He created us to be.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- well-pleasing2×
- good pleasure2×
- pleasure1×
- of good-will.1×
- goodwill1×
- desire1×
- [His] good pleasure.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εὐδοκίαν4×
- εὐδοκία3×
- εὐδοκίας.¶1×
- εὐδοκίας.1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 11:26
Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.
Jesus attributes the revelation of divine truth to the Father’s good pleasure, emphasizing that understanding comes from God's sovereign choice rather than human wisdom.
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Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men.”
The angels proclaim peace on earth grounded in God's goodwill toward people, highlighting His benevolent disposition as the source of true reconciliation.
-
Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Paul explains that God actively works within believers to produce both the desire and the power to obey, framing obedience as a result of His internal good pleasure.