Goodness @ in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.
Goodness of God @ a perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations Psalms:145:8-9Psalms:103:8; 1John:4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but he is eternally infinitely just and merciful." God is infinitely and unchangeably good Zephaniah:3:17), and his goodness is incomprehensible by the finite mind Romans:11:35Romans:11:36). "God's goodness appears in two things, giving and forgiving."
