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Virtue
January 18, 2020
With the start of the new year, we began a study closely examining the words of Peter in 2 Peter 1:1-10. We have pinpointed what was said beginning with verse five as the basis for this study, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue…”. We know it takes diligence to add to our faith, and the first component added to our faith is virtue. In verse three of the same passage from 2 Peter, Peter writes that God “…hath called us to glory and virtue…”.
Virtue as used in these verses is translated from the Greek word transliterated as arete meaning properly, manliness, excellence, and praise. This same Greek word is also used in the passage from Philippians 4:1-8 that is part of this study. Paul concludes this passage by reminding the Philippians to among other things to think on things that be of virtue.
Philippians 4:1-8
Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The Old Testament is given to us as a history of God’s relationship with Israel and also gives us insight into the many people whose life stories are woven into the tapestry of scripture, and we can use this history as an example and apply in our life today. When we take the word virtue and consider who were people of virtue in the Old Testament, you may be surprised to find very few people, especially when narrowly using the word virtue.
In the Old Testament, only women are linked to virtue. There is a wonderful passage in Proverbs 31:10-31 which asks the question, “Who can find a virtuous woman?” A wonderful listing of what makes a virtuous woman is then given. The only virtuous woman I could find in the Old Testament was Ruth, and that was because she is identified as virtuous by Boaz. Ruth was born in a foreign country and married the son of Naomi, an Israelite who had traveled to that foreign country when a drought had caused a famine in Israel. Eventually, Naomi was widowed and then her two sons who had married locally had died. When Naomi heard the famine was over, she returned to Israel and encouraged both of her daughters-in-law to return to their family, and Ruth insisted on coming with Naomi to Israel. Eventually Ruth met Boaz, and one night when she went to approach Boaz, Boaz told her that the entire city considered her to be a virtuous woman.
Ruth 3:6-11
And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her. And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down. And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet. And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.
Closely related to virtue is integrity and there were many people of integrity in the Old Testament. In 1 Kings 9:4, God told Solomon that his father David was a man of integrity. God also called Job a person of integrity in Job 2:3, and right away Satan, the accuser of the brethren tried to convince God that job had no integrity explaining that Job was only selfishly worshipping God to preserve his life. Like virtue, Integrity is something we have in good times and bad times.
Because virtue is added to our faith, when we have virtue, we are spiritually stronger. On earth most people will have no disagreement with the assertion that Jesus Christ was the person of strongest faith and there is an interesting passage from Luke showing virtue. Early in the ministry of Jesus, people were beginning to understand that Jesus could heal. Because people naturally want to feel physically well, crowds were drawn to Jesus, and Jesus would heal people of their diseases, and for the few who were demon-possessed, we would cure them of that as well. People were so desperate, that the thought of even touching Jesus was reason enough to come near and one time, a person touched Jesus, and Jesus turned to see who touched him, not because he felt the physical sensation of touch, but because he felt power leave his body, and in the passage, that power was translated into English in the original King James Version as virtue.
Luke 6:17-19
And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
It is through faith and it is through virtue, or this moral application and behavior related to our faith, that we are able to develop up this power, this strength, that was manifest in Jesus and it gives us the ability to do mighty work. Faith is the foundation of our relationship with Jesus Christ and God the Father. To faith we will add virtue only through diligence. Through diligence, what we do spiritually will be done in excellence. What we do spiritually will allow other people to praise God. What we do through virtue will reflect our high moral standards that we have been made aware of through the Holy Spirit.
All verses are from the King James Version.
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