The verses used by the Arians – Why do you call me good?

The text addresses the explanation of Jesus’ verse in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark (“Why do you call me good? No one is good but one, and that is God”) in the context of the story of the rich young man who asks about doing good and eternal life, and Christ’s reply inviting him to keep the commandments and then to leave his wealth and follow Him.

Interpretation of the verse and context

The speaker clarifies that the phrase cannot be understood apart from its context: it was said in response to the rich young man who thought he was complete by strictly keeping the law, and the intended meaning is not a denial of Christ’s goodness but a pointing to a deeper standard of goodness related to love and renunciation of love of money.

Christ’s stance regarding being called “good”

The text indicates that Christ did not deny that He is good; rather He said “no one is good but one, and that is God” in a manner that carries an interrogative or indirect meaning, possibly to test what the asker meant or to remind him that supreme goodness belongs to God.

Revealing the young man’s spiritual wound

The speaker explained that the young man had kept the commandments from his youth but had not entered into the depth of neighborly love and detachment from wealth; therefore Christ’s command to sell his possessions and give to the poor pressed on his inner wound and called him to repentance and humility.

Biblical and patristic evidences

The talk notes texts that proclaim Christ’s goodness and cites the Fathers and the apostles who witness to His holiness and righteousness, while stressing that the word “God” in Scripture sometimes denotes the divine nature as a whole, so that the attributes of God are not separated from the Son and the Holy Spirit regarding the general divine attributes.

Theological and spiritual dimension from a Coptic Orthodox perspective

The speaker affirms the unity of divinity between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and that the phrase “no one is good but one, and that is God” emphasizes the unity of the Godhead and the shared holiness of the Persons, while distinguishing only the peculiar ontological properties of each Person.

Practical spiritual application

The call here is for the believer to examine the conscience about love of money and pride in formal observance, and to strive for active love and renunciation, as Christ’s call to perfection comes through humility and sacrifice.

For better translation support, please contact the center.