January 24th, 2025
by Christ Church Pastors
by Christ Church Pastors
As part of our church-wide Bible Recap reading plan, we’re inviting questions from participants. This ongoing series aims to address those questions and provide helpful insights for our congregation.
One reader asked:
What's the difference between something being "good" or "very good" and "perfect"?
This blog by the pastors answers the question by looking at what these terms mean in the story of creation.
Answer:
Good" (Tov): After each day of creation, God calls what he made "good," like a craftsman saying, "Yup, that’ll do!” It’s about function and purpose. In Genesis 2:18, God calls it "not good" for Adam to be alone because he can’t fulfill the command to "be fruitful and multiply" alone. Humanity cannot carry out their function until together.
"Very Good:” On day six, after creating humanity, God calls all of creation “very good” (Genesis 1:31). It’s a harmonious ecosystem, everything in its right place. The word "very" is calling attention to emphasize—this creation is not just good, but whole and beautiful. It’s like witnessing something extraordinary and instinctively pointing it out, exclaiming, “Look at that!”
"Perfect:” Creation and Eden wasn't perfect. Genesis 1 shows a world full of potential. It’s good because it’s exactly as it should be—ready for growth and unfolding. Adam and Eve are given the command to “subdue” the earth (Genesis 1:26–28; 2:5, 15), indicating the work is beginning. If creation were perfect in the static sense, there would be nothing left to subdue. The world is in its “good” state, but there’s still room to cultivate, grow, and expand the beauty that’s been started. The creation story is just getting started.
So, when God calls creation "good," he’s saying it’s working as intended. When he calls it "very good," he’s interjecting and calling attention to all of creation's goodness. And when we think of "good," we must remember that in Genesis, creation and Eden was not “perfect,” but functioning and full of potential for growth.
One reader asked:
What's the difference between something being "good" or "very good" and "perfect"?
This blog by the pastors answers the question by looking at what these terms mean in the story of creation.
Answer:
Good" (Tov): After each day of creation, God calls what he made "good," like a craftsman saying, "Yup, that’ll do!” It’s about function and purpose. In Genesis 2:18, God calls it "not good" for Adam to be alone because he can’t fulfill the command to "be fruitful and multiply" alone. Humanity cannot carry out their function until together.
"Very Good:” On day six, after creating humanity, God calls all of creation “very good” (Genesis 1:31). It’s a harmonious ecosystem, everything in its right place. The word "very" is calling attention to emphasize—this creation is not just good, but whole and beautiful. It’s like witnessing something extraordinary and instinctively pointing it out, exclaiming, “Look at that!”
"Perfect:” Creation and Eden wasn't perfect. Genesis 1 shows a world full of potential. It’s good because it’s exactly as it should be—ready for growth and unfolding. Adam and Eve are given the command to “subdue” the earth (Genesis 1:26–28; 2:5, 15), indicating the work is beginning. If creation were perfect in the static sense, there would be nothing left to subdue. The world is in its “good” state, but there’s still room to cultivate, grow, and expand the beauty that’s been started. The creation story is just getting started.
So, when God calls creation "good," he’s saying it’s working as intended. When he calls it "very good," he’s interjecting and calling attention to all of creation's goodness. And when we think of "good," we must remember that in Genesis, creation and Eden was not “perfect,” but functioning and full of potential for growth.
Posted in Bible Recap, Creation
Posted in Bible Recap, Creation, Good, Very Good, Perfec, Genesis, God\'s Creation, Creation Story
Posted in Bible Recap, Creation, Good, Very Good, Perfec, Genesis, God\'s Creation, Creation Story
2 Comments
Thank you. “Functioning and full of potienal for growth.” Amen!
It also make you think about both trees in the garden. If they were both good then there was function and full potential for growth in both trees. Could it be that God did intend for Adam and Eve at some point to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and gain more wisdom as they grow to their full potienal? At points in our life we gain knowledge about what is good or evil and we are taught wisdom when we learn and understand the difference.