Add Virtue • ARETE Used 4 Times in NT • 2 Pet. 1:5 - translated “goodness” (NIV) or “moral excellence” (NASB) • “...who called us by glory and virtue” - 2 Pet. 1:3 • “...that you may proclaim the praises (excellencies) of Him” - 1 Pet. 2:9 • “...if there is any virtue” – Phil. 4:8
Add Virtue • Definition • ARETE had broad meaning: Excellencewhether in mental, physical, or moral realm. • Abbott-Smith: “properly, whatever procures pre-eminent estimation of a person or thing.” • Liddell-Scott:“Excellence of any kind…. in moral sense, goodness, virtue.”
Add Virtue • Definition • The derivation of arete is from the word Ares, the Greek God of war. • To the Greek, manliness was best exemplified by the soldier. It was in the thick of battle, arrayed against the enemy and facing injury and death, that true manliness and valor and courage showed itself.
Add Virtue • Definition • Thayer: on 2 Pet 1:5: “take it here specifically, moral vigor.” • Bengel: “moral power, moral energy, vigor of the soul.” • Young’s Concordance:“force, strength (of mind or body).” • Liddell-Scott: “…in Homer, like Latin virtus (from vir), manhood, prowess, valour”
Add Virtue • Definition • James Hastings (on arete in 2 Pet. 1:5) “Virtue, to the Latins, meant, thus, the quality of manhood, or heroism…. Virtue and manliness were almost synonymous words. To be manly was to be virtuous; to be virtuous was to be manly. And it is in this sense that the word is used in our text. For the Greek word conveys just this conception of manly virtue.”
Add Virtue • Definition • Virtue is not just moral excellence in general … it is the strength and courage needed to make brave choices in service to Christ.
Add Virtue • The Virtuous Man - Jesus • “Behold, the man.” – John 19:5 • Jesus was indeed “the man” – the perfect man of moral strength and bravery. • Heb. 12:1-3 – “looking to Jesus”His virtuous faith is summed up in the cross, but His whole life was one of moral courage.
Add Virtue • Virtuous Faith in Hebrews 11 • Abraham – “went out, not knowing” • Moses’ parents – “not afraid of the king’s commandment” • Moses – “forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king” • Daniel – “stopped the mouths of lions”
Add Virtue • Applications • Arete must be a primary trait of the faithful soldier of Christ. • “Fight the good fight of faith” – 1 Tim. 6:10 • “Put on the whole armor of God” – Eph. 6:10-17
Add Virtue • Fight the Good Fight of Faith • What good are convictions (faith) if there is no willingness to put them into action in the face of adversity (works)? Without the moral courage to act rightly, conviction is meaningless (dead). (cf. James 2:14-26) • Under adverse conditions, virtue is making the choice (by faith) to do what is right (simply because it is right),regardless of the consequences.
Add Virtue • Choices in Meeting Responsibilities • Choices in Honesty • Choices in Viewing Sensuality • Choices in Dress • Choices in Peer Pressure • Choices in Standing for the Truth • Choices in Attendance • Choice in Bible Study & Prayer • Choices in Sacrificing Time for Others • Choices in Honoring/Loving Spouse • Choices in Raising Children
Add Virtue • 1 Cor. 16:13-14 “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”
Add Virtue Moral Courage Virtue calls for repentance.
Will You Become A Christian? Hearthe Gospel (Rom. 10:17) Believethat Jesus is the Son of God (Mk. 16:16) Repentof Your Sins (Acts 17:30) ConfessJesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10) Be Baptizedfor Forgiveness of Sins (Acts 2:38) Live Faithfullyuntil You Die (Rev. 2:10)