Genesis 1:31 Affirmation of Creation's Goodness
Genesis 1:31 concludes the creation account of the sixth day, stating, "God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day" [1]. This verse serves as a divine affirmation of the entirety of creation, following the specific declarations of "good" after each stage of creation [4].
The broader literary context of Genesis 1:31 is the creation narrative found in Genesis 1:1–2:3, which introduces the Pentateuch [10]. This account presents God as the sole Creator, distinguishing Him from the deities of surrounding nations [10]. The narrative systematically describes God forming the chaotic world into a habitable environment over six days, culminating in the creation of humanity [5, 10]. Each day's work is punctuated by God's declaration that what He made was "good," but after the creation of human beings, the entire creation is declared "very good" [4]. This final assessment encompasses all that God had brought into existence, from the heavens and the earth to all living creatures and humanity itself [1, 8].
The historical setting of Genesis is ancient Israel, with the book traditionally attributed to Moses [10]. It was written to teach Israel that the world was created, ordered, and populated by the one true God [10]. The creation account emphasizes God's omnipotence, as nothing is created apart from His powerful word [5]. God's command enacts His will, demonstrating that He is not part of creation but is its supreme ruler [5].
Key terms in Genesis 1:31 include "God," "made," and "very good." The term "God" (Hebrew: Elohim) refers to the Godhead, the Creator of all things out of nothing [2]. The act of creation is attributed to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit [2]. The phrase "he had made" (Hebrew: ‘asah) signifies God's active role in bringing the universe into being [1]. Matthew Henry notes that God's review of His work signifies His omniscience, as He sees all that He has made [9]. The declaration "very good" (Hebrew: ṭôḇ mĕ’ōd) is a qualitative assessment, indicating perfection and completeness [1]. This final declaration of "very good" contrasts with the repeated "good" (Hebrew: ṭôḇ) after individual creative acts, highlighting the supreme excellence of the completed creation [4].
The significance of Genesis 1:31 lies in its comprehensive affirmation of creation's inherent goodness. John Calvin, in his commentary on Genesis, frequently references the creation account, emphasizing God's sovereign work [6]. The declaration that creation is "very good" implies that evil is not inherent in the created order but entered the world later through human sin [1]. This verse establishes a foundational theological principle: God's original creation was perfect and without blemish [9]. The "Treasury of Scripture Knowledge" cross-references Genesis 1:31 with verses that speak to the value and beauty of creation, such as Psalm 17:14 and Psalm 49:16, and also with verses that contrast human vanity or evil with divine perfection, like Proverbs 14:30 and Ecclesiastes 4:4 [3].
The concept of God's work being "perfect" is echoed by Matthew Henry, who states, "As for God, his work is perfect; and if he begin he will also make an end, in providence and grace, as well as here in creation" [9]. This verse sets the stage for understanding the subsequent narrative of the fall, as it underscores the pristine state from which humanity and creation deviated. The goodness of creation also implies God's benevolent intent for humanity, who were made in His image to enjoy dominion over the earth and participate in His Sabbath rest [7, 10]. The repeated affirmation of goodness throughout the creation account, culminating in "very good," serves to highlight the Creator's plan and the inherent value of His handiwork [4, 10].
Sources
- Genesis “God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day. -- Genesis 1:31”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Creation — "In the beginning" God created, i.e., called into being, all things out of nothing. This creative act on the part of God was absolutely free, and for infinitely wise reasons. The cause of all things exists only in the will of God. The work of creation is attributed (1) to the Godhead (Gen. 1:1, 26); (2) to the Father (1 Cor. 8:6); (3) to the Son (John 1:3; Col. 1:16, 17); (4) to the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Job 26:13; Ps. 104:30). The fact that he is the Creator distinguishes Jehovah as the true God (Isa. 37:16; 40:12, 13; 54:5; Ps. 96:5; Jer. 10:11, 12). Th”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Genesis 31:1 cross-references: Genesis 31:8, Genesis 45:13, Esther 5:11, Job 31:24, Job 31:31, Psalms 17:14, Psalms 49:16, Psalms 57:4, Psalms 64:3, Psalms 120:3, Proverbs 14:30, Proverbs 27:4, Ecclesiastes 4:4, Isaiah 5:14, Jeremiah 9:23, Ezekiel 16:44, Matthew 4:8, 1 Timothy 6:4, Titus 3:3, 1 Peter 1:24”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:31: 1:31 The Creator declares his work good seven times in ch 1; following the creation of human beings, God declares it all very good.”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:3: 1:3-13 In the first three days, God formed the chaos into a habitable world. 1:3 Then God said: Nothing in ch 1 is created apart from God’s powerful word (cp. Ps 33:6, 9). • “Let there be . . .” and there was: God’s command enacted his will to create the world. God is not a part of creation or limited by it; he is the supreme ruler over everything (cp. Neh 9:6).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 28.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:1-6 1:1-31 1:2 1:28 1:29-30 2:1 2:1-25 2:15 2:19 3:1 3:1-24 3:7 3:16 4:1 4:1-26 4:7 5:1 5:1-32 6:1 6:1-22 6:11-16 7:1-24 7:11 8:1-22 9:1 9:1 9:1-29 9:2 9:24 10 10:1 10:1 10:1-32 10:21 11:1 11:1 11:1-32 11:28 12:1 12:1 12:1 12:1-20 12:4 12:4 12:6 13:1 13:1-20 14:1-24 15:1-21 15:7 16:1-16 16:2 16:8 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1 17:1-27 18:1 18:1 18:1-33 18:19 19:1-38 20:1 20:1 20:1-18 21:1-34 21:15 22:1-24 22:18 23:1-20 24:31 25:1 25:13-16 35:7 48:1 Exodus 6:3 12:40 Leviticus 7:18 17:4 18:25 Numbers 6:2”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:7: 11:7 man is made in God’s image: See Gen 1:26-27.”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 1:1: In these verses we have the work of creation in its epitome and in its embryo. I. In its epitome, Gen 1:1, where we find, to our comfort, the first article of our creed, that God the Father Almighty is the Maker of heaven and earth, and as such we believe in him. 1. Observe, in this verse, four things: - (1.) The effect produced - the heaven and the earth, that is, the world, including the whole frame and furniture of the universe, the world and all things therein, Act 17:24. The world is a great house, consisting of upper and lower stories, the structure stately”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 1:31: We have here the approbation and conclusion of the whole work of creation. As for God, his work is perfect; and if he begin he will also make an end, in providence and grace, as well as here in creation. Observe, I. The review God took of his work: He saw every thing that he had made. So he does still; all the works of his hands are under his eye. He that made all sees all; he that made us sees us, Ps. 139:1-16. Omniscience cannot be separated from omnipotence. Known unto God are all his works, Act 15:18. But this was the Eternal Mind's solemn reflection upon the”
- Genesis (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Genesis 1:1: 1:1–2:3 These verses introduce the Pentateuch (Genesis—Deuteronomy) and teach Israel that the world was created, ordered, and populated by the one true God and not by the gods of surrounding nations. • God blessed three specific things: animal life (1:22-25), human life (1:27), and the Sabbath day (2:3). This trilogy of blessings highlights the Creator’s plan: Humankind was made in God’s image to enjoy sovereign dominion over the creatures of the earth and to participate in God’s Sabbath rest. 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth: This statem”