Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:The term "virtue" in the biblical context refers to moral excellence and righteousness. It is derived from the Latin word "virtus," which means strength or manliness, and is often associated with moral strength and integrity. In the Greek New Testament, the word "arete" is used, which signifies excellence of character.
Old Testament Context:While the specific term "virtue" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the concept is deeply embedded in the Hebrew Scriptures. The virtues of righteousness, justice, and mercy are central to the teachings of the Law and the Prophets.
Proverbs 31:10-31 provides a portrait of a virtuous woman, highlighting qualities such as diligence, wisdom, and fear of the Lord. The Hebrew word "chayil," often translated as "virtuous" or "noble," is used to describe her character.
New Testament Context:In the New Testament, virtue is explicitly mentioned and highly esteemed. The Apostle Peter encourages believers to add virtue to their faith: "For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge" (
2 Peter 1:5). Here, virtue is seen as a foundational quality that supports and enhances one's faith.
The Apostle Paul also speaks to the concept of virtue, though not always using the specific term. In
Philippians 4:8, he exhorts believers to think on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, which are all aspects of virtuous living. The fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in
Galatians 5:22-23, encompasses virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Virtue in the Life of Jesus:Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of virtue. His life and teachings exemplify perfect moral excellence. In His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus outlines the Beatitudes, which describe the virtues of the kingdom of heaven, such as meekness, mercy, purity of heart, and peacemaking. His actions, such as healing the sick, forgiving sins, and showing compassion to the marginalized, demonstrate His virtuous character.
Virtue in Christian Living:For Christians, virtue is not merely an abstract ideal but a practical aspect of daily living. Believers are called to pursue virtue as part of their sanctification process, becoming more like Christ in character. The Apostle Paul urges believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received" (
Ephesians 4:1), which includes living a life of virtue.
The pursuit of virtue involves both divine empowerment and human effort. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in transforming believers and enabling them to live virtuously. At the same time, Christians are encouraged to actively cultivate virtues through spiritual disciplines, community involvement, and obedience to God's Word.
Virtue and the Church:The early church fathers emphasized the importance of virtue in the life of the believer and the community. Virtue was seen as essential for maintaining unity, love, and holiness within the body of Christ. The church is called to be a light to the world, reflecting the virtues of Christ to a watching world.
In summary, virtue in the biblical sense is a comprehensive term that encompasses moral excellence, integrity, and righteousness. It is a quality that believers are called to pursue and embody, reflecting the character of Christ in their lives and communities.
Topical Bible Verses
Philippians 4:8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Topicalbible.org2 Peter 1:5
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
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James 5:12
But above all things, my brothers, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yes be yes; and your no, no; lest you fall into condemnation.
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2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
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Hebrews 10:30
For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, said the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
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Matthew 7:1-2
Judge not, that you be not judged.
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Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Moral excellence; value; merit; meritoriousness; worth.
2. (n.) Manly strength or courage; bravery; daring; spirit; valor.
3. (n.) Active quality or power; capacity or power adequate to the production of a given effect; energy; strength; potency; efficacy; as, the virtue of a medicine.
4. (n.) Energy or influence operating without contact of the material or sensible substance.
5. (n.) Specifically, moral excellence; integrity of character; purity of soul; performance of duty.
6. (n.) A particular moral excellence; as, the virtue of temperance, of charity, etc.
7. (n.) Specifically: Chastity; purity; especially, the chastity of women; virginity.
8. (n.) One of the orders of the celestial hierarchy.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
VIRTUEvur'-tu: This word has two quite distinct meanings in the King James Version: (1) It was formerly often used in the now obsolete sense of "manly power," "valor," "efficacy" (Latin, virtus, "manly strength" or "excellence," from vir, "man"):
"Trust in thy single virtue; for thy soldiers
All levied in thy name, have in thy name
Took their discharge."
-Shakespeare, King Lear, V, iii, 103;.
It was also used in the sense of a mighty work, a miracle. Thus Wycliffe translatesMatthew 11:20: "Thanne Jhesus bigan to saye repreef to cities in whiche ful many vertues of him weren don." So in the King James Version,Mark 5:30Luke 6:19;Luke 8:46, in the sense of "power," "miraculous energy or influence" (dunamis, "inherent power, residing in the nature of a thing"; contrast exousia, "power arising from external opportunity or liberty of action"). In these passages it is translated in the Revised Version (British and American) "power" (as elsewhere in the King James Version; compareActs 3:12, etc.). (2) In its ordinary modern meaning of "moral goodness" it occurs in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) The Wisdom of Solomon 4:1; 5:13; 8:07;Philippians 4:82 Peter 1:3, 5. In these passages it stands for arete, the usual classical term for "moral excellence" (originally "fitness" of any sort), used in Septuagint to translate words meaning "glory," "praiseworthiness," as inHabakkuk 3:3Isaiah 42:12;Isaiah 63:7 (of God);Zechariah 6:13 (of the Messiah). The Septuagint sense may color the meaning of the word as applied to God in2 Peter 1:3 the Revised Version (British and American); as also in its plural use (of God) in1 Peter 2:9 (the King James Version "praises," the Revised Version (British and American) "excellencies").
The adjective "virtuous" occurs in the King James Version, the English Revised VersionRuth 3:11Proverbs 12:4;Proverbs 31:10 (the American Standard Revised Version "worthy"), and the adverb "virtuously" inProverbs 31:29 (the American Standard Revised Version "worthily"), in each case for chayil, "strength," "force" (whether of body or of mind), then in a moral sense of "worth," "virtue."
D. Miall Edwards
Greek
703. arete -- moral goodness, ievirtue... moral goodness, ie
virtue. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: arete
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-et'-ay) Short Definition:
virtue, moral excellence
...2130. eumetadotos -- ready to impart
... is gained, ). If this is indeed the meaning of the , then it transforms
simple 'sharing' into a full-fledgedvirtue. The teaching...
865. aphilagathos -- without love of good
... despiser of those that are good. From a (as a negative particle) and philagathos;
hostile tovirtue -- despiser of those that are good. see GREEK a....
4748. stoicheo -- to be in rows, fig. to walk by rule
... From a derivative of steicho (to range in regular line); to march in (military)
rank (keep step), ie (figuratively) to conform tovirtue and piety -- walk...
4190. poneros -- toilsome, bad
... from kakos, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from sapros,
which indicates degeneracy from originalvirtue); figuratively, calamitous...
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... in (His) ability.". : Faith is (exclusively) given to . It is avirtue that
can be worked up by human effort. 2. Faith (4102) enables...
5358. philagathos -- loving that which is good
... love of good. From philos and agathos; fond to good, ie A promoter ofvirtue --
love of good men. see GREEK philos. see GREEK agathos....
19. agathosune -- to do good
... See 18 (). goodness. From agathos; goodness, ieVirtue or beneficence --
goodness. see GREEK agathos. (agathosune) -- 2 Occurrences....
16. agathopoiia -- welldoing
... well-doing. From agathopoios; well-doing, ieVirtue -- well-doing. see GREEK
agathopoios. (agathopoiia) -- 1 Occurrence. 15, 16. agathopoiia. 17 ....
5012. tapeinophrosune -- lowliness of mind, humility
... In Scripture, 5012 ("lowliness, humility") is an inside-outvirtue produced
by comparing ourselves (rather than to others). This...
Strong's Hebrew
2428. chayil -- strength, efficiency, wealth, army... From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army,
wealth,
virtue, valor, strength -- able, activity, (+) army, band of men
...6666. tsedaqah -- righteousness
... From tsadaq; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice),
morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity) -- justice, moderately...
Library
Whether Prudence is avirtue?
... TREATISE ON THE CARDINAL VIRTUES (QQ -170)OF PRUDENCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF
(SIXTEEN ARTICLES) Whether prudence is avirtue? Objection...
Whether Charity is avirtue?
... OF CHARITY, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether charity is avirtue?
Objection 1: It would seem that charity is not avirtue....
Whether Faith is avirtue?
... OF THEVIRTUE ITSELF OF FAITH (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether faith is avirtue?
Objection 1: It would seem that faith is not avirtue....
Whether Continence is avirtue?
... OF CONTINENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether continence is avirtue? Objection 1:
It would seem that continence is not avirtue. For species...
Whether Penance is avirtue?
... OF PENANCE AS AVIRTUE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether Penance is avirtue? Objection
1: It would seem that penance is not avirtue. For...
Whether Shamefacedness is avirtue?
... OF SHAMEFACEDNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether shamefacedness is avirtue?
Objection 1: It seems that shamefacedness is avirtue. For...
Whether Hope is avirtue?
... OF HOPE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether hope is avirtue? Objection
1: It would seem that hope is not avirtue.... Therefore hope is not avirtue....
Whether Mercy is avirtue?
... OF MERCY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether mercy is avirtue? Objection 1: It would
seem that mercy is not avirtue. For the chief part of...
Whether Fortitude is avirtue?
... TREATISE ON FORTITUDE AND TEMPERANCE (QQ -170) cOF FORTITUDE (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether
fortitude is avirtue?... Therefore fortitude is not avirtue....
Whether Magnificence is avirtue?
... OF MAGNIFICENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether magnificence is avirtue? Objection
1: It seems that magnificence is not avirtue. For whoever...
Thesaurus
Virtue (21 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) Active quality or power; capacity or power adequate to the production of
a given effect; energy; strength; potency; efficacy; as, the
virtue of a
...Excellence (31 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state of possessing good qualities
in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority invirtue....
Descent (22 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Progress downward, as in station,virtue, as in station,virtue, and the
like, from a higher to a lower state, from a higher to a lower state, from the...
Excellent (52 Occurrences)
... honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is anyvirtue, and if...
Joining (43 Occurrences)
... there. (WEY). 2 Peter 1:5 So, for this very cause, take every care; joining
virtue to faith, and knowledge tovirtue, (BBE). Genesis...
Loss (90 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who puts away his wife for any other
cause but the loss of hervirtue, makes her false to her husband; and whoever...
Takes (380 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who puts away his wife for any other
cause but the loss of hervirtue, makes her false to her husband; and whoever...
Therewith (53 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY). 2 Peter 1:5 But for this very reason also, using therewith all diligence,
in your faith have alsovirtue, invirtue knowledge, (DBY)....
True (305 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who puts away his wife for any other
cause but the loss of hervirtue, makes her false to her husband; and whoever...
Decline (10 Occurrences)
... to tend to a less perfect state; to become diminished or impaired; to fail; to sink;
to diminish; to lessen; as, the day declines;virtue declines; religion...
Resources
What is virtue signaling? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is virtue ethics? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the doctrine of the mean? | GotQuestions.orgVirtue: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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