Genesis 1:31 Meaning & Commentary – God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.

The Verse

King James Version (KJV): “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.”
New International Version (NIV): “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.”
English Standard Version (ESV): “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.”

Introduction

In Genesis 1:31, we gain a glimpse of God’s satisfaction and delight over the fruits of His creation. This verse presents a wonderful affirmation of the inherent goodness of all that God has brought into being. The Creator does not merely deem His work good; He declares it ‘very good’. This phrase acts as a divine stamp of approval, a heavenly endorsement that elevates everything in creation to a level of exceptional goodness.

This declaration from God is not just about the aesthetic beauty of creation. It goes deeper, touching the core purpose, functionality, and interrelationship within the creation. It’s an invitation for us to recognize the inherent goodness in everything around us and within us, seen through God’s eyes.

Historical Context

Genesis is traditionally attributed to Moses and is considered one of the five books of the Pentateuch. It was likely written between 1446 and 1406 BC. Genesis 1:31 is the culmination of the creation narrative, where God has completed His work on the sixth day and declares it all “very good”. It was written primarily to establish the monotheistic belief of the Israelites, distinguish them from their polytheistic neighbors, and affirm God’s sovereignty over the entire universe.

Key Word Analysis

Three key phrases in this verse are “God saw”, “He had made”, and “very good.”
“God saw” (Hebrew: וַיַּ֣רְא אֱלֹהִ֔ים) means that God observed and reflected upon His work. “He had made” (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה) implies God’s active role in creation. “Very good” (Hebrew: ט֖וֹב מְאֹ֑ד) emphasizes the high quality and inherent goodness of God’s creation. These terms collectively express God’s active involvement, satisfaction, and delight in His creation.

Spiritual Insight

This verse reveals God as a purposeful Creator who delights in His handiwork. The affirmation of creation as ‘very good’ speaks to God’s standard of perfection. It reveals a God who values and appreciates the inherent goodness and beauty in His creation. It also underscores the notion that creation was not a random act but a deliberate and thoughtful process, reflecting God’s wisdom and love.

Life Application

Genesis 1:31 invites us to see ourselves and the world around us through God’s eyes. It encourages us to recognize and appreciate the inherent goodness in all of creation, including ourselves. As we begin to see ourselves as God’s ‘very good’ creation, we can live with greater self-worth, gratitude, and purpose. We are also called to be stewards of this ‘very good’ creation, caring for and preserving the beauty and goodness around us.

What Jesus Might Say About This Verse

“Beloved, remember that you are part of My Father’s wonderful creation. He fashioned you with care and purpose, and He declared you to be ‘very good’. See yourself through His eyes, and let this understanding shape how you view yourself and the world around you. Live joyfully and purposefully, stewarding the creation He has entrusted to you.”

Prayer Prompt

Heavenly Father, thank You for creating this wonderful world and for declaring it ‘very good’. Help us to see ourselves and the world around us through Your eyes. Help us to cherish, respect, and care for all that You have created. Amen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques: What does ‘very good’ mean in this context?
Ans: ‘Very good’ is God’s affirmation of the inherent goodness, functionality, and beauty in His creation.

Ques: Does this verse mean everything in the world is ‘good’?
Ans: This verse refers to God’s original creation, which He declared ‘very good’. Sin and corruption entered the world later, but this does not negate the inherent goodness in God’s creation.

Ques: How can we apply this verse to our daily life?
Ans: We can apply this verse by seeing ourselves and the world around us as God’s ‘very good’ creation, living with gratitude, self-worth, and a commitment to stewardship.

Ques: How does this verse relate to Jesus?
Ans: Jesus is part of God’s creation, the Word made flesh. Through Him, we understand better the goodness of God’s creation.

Related Verses

1. Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” – It relates this verse by affirming the glory of God’s creation.
2. John 1:3: “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” – This verse connects by asserting Jesus’ role in creation.
3. Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” – This verse relates by emphasizing that God’s nature is revealed in His creation.
4. 1 Timothy 4:4: “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” – This verse echoes the theme of God’s creation being ‘very good’.