Virtue is Fundamental

Our writing and preaching theme this year is Fundamentals of faith. So, far we have explored 29 basics to living a life of faith.

Today, we begin a 7 lesson series based on 2 Peter 1:5-8, which Peter affirms that if we “add” these qualities to our faith and “abound” in them we “will never fall.” That’s an incredibly bold claim. So, they must be important basics to Christian living.

Here’s our focus for the next six Mondays.

But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (2 Pet. 1:5-8)

Virtue is the Greek word “arete.” It’s used only 5 times in the New Testament and 4 of those by Peter.

Arete is defined as “excellence of a person (in body or mind) or of a thing, an eminent endowment, property or quality.” Thayer says it refers to a “virtuous course of thought, feeling and action.”

The NASU renders the word “Moral excellence.” The NIV translates it as “Goodness.” Barclay says “arete” not only involves excellence, but also courage to be what we ought to be and to do what we ought to do.

Based on 2 Peter 1:3 Hendriksen observes that arete “relates to one of God’s characteristics. Because it is a divine attribute, we ought to reflect this virtue in our lives. Our daily conduct should be a demonstration of moral excellence. Faith and excellence support one another.”

Warren Wiersbe offers this additional insight into arete.

To the Greek philosophers, it meant “the fulfillment of a thing.” When anything in nature fulfills its purpose, that is “virtue – moral excellence.” The word was also used to describe the power of the gods to do heroic deeds. The land that produces crops is “excellent” because it is fulfilling its purpose. The tool that works correctly is “excellent” because it is doing what a tool is supposed to do.

A Christian is supposed to glorify God because he has God’s nature within; so, when he does this, he shows “excellence” because he is fulfilling his purpose in life. True virtue in the Christian life is not “polishing” human qualities, no matter how fine they may be, but producing divine qualities that make the person more like Jesus Christ.

Virtue is to be added to our faith. “Add” means to lavishly or richly supply. Not in a meager or miserly sort of way, but with abundance.

Virtue or moral excellence issues itself in thinking that embodies the mind of Christ.

Virtue demonstrates the character of Christ in both attitude and actions.

Virtue expresses goodness and godliness in speech that is wholesome.

Virtue exhibits its moral fiber in purity of relationships with the opposite sex.

Virtue manifest itself even in choices of attire that is modest, decent and prudent for the occasion.

Virtue shuns the works of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life.

Virtue courageously stands for truth and is unashamed to refute error.

Virtue loves what God loves and hates what God hates.

Virtue chooses entertainment that ennobles and uplifts the spirit.

Virtue is honorable, honest and just.

Virtue is a man daring to be a man. A leader of his home. A faithful husband to his wife. A loving father to his children.

Virtue is a wife embracing her feminine role. Loving and honoring her husband. Teaching and nurturing her children.

Virtue is the son or daughter that honors their parents, seeks God in their youth, and flees from youthful lusts.

Virtue is the pastor who Shepherds with care, compassion and consecration.

Virtue is the preacher who teaches, instructs and shares the Word with humility, sincerity and kindness.

Virtue quietly ministers to the weak, encourages the timid, comforts the broken-hearted, and warns the unruly.

Virtue reflects upon truth, honor, justice, holiness, loveliness and goodness.

Virtue protects the mind, guards the heart, and nourishes the soul.

Virtue is fundamental and foundational to growing your faith.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman