Called to Virtue

INTRO

ἀρετή

used 5x in NT; 6x in OT

Virtue—4x; Praises 1x

Originally word had to do with manliness and military valor.

Came to mean “consummate excellence”

The Christian is called to virtue (2 Pet 1:3-4)

DISCUSSION

Called to Declare The Virtues of God (1 Pet 2:9)

Chosen to proclaim the praises of God.

Praises—arete—the excellencies of God—his perfections which shine forth in our gratuitous calling and in the whole work of salvation (Thayer)

Synonymous with glory (2 Pet 1:3; Hab 3:3; Zech 6:13; Is 42:12)

Allusion to Is 43:21—God’s people will make known His praiseworthy acts

For what is God to be praised?

Who He is (1 Tim 1:17; Ex 34:6-7)

What He has done (Rev 5:9; Ps 103:2-3, 12)

Called to Live The Virtues of Correct Behavior (2 Pet 1:5)

Called to add virtue to our faith

Here is the idea of moral excellence

The Greek mind thought of virtue as consisting of 4 parts (NIDNTTE)

Wisdom—the capacity to understand and function accordingly—transcendent wisdom (Jam 3:13-18)

Manliness or courage—heroic deeds worthy of a brave person

Prudence (sobriety KJV)—1 Tim 2:9, 15; Acts 26:25—moderation, self-control as exercise of care and intelligence appropriate to circumstances

Justice—adherence to what is required according to a moral standard (LXGNTLEX); Mt 5:6; Rom 6:18; Acts 24:25.

Our lives are to be virtuous—this means we are pursing wisdom, acting with courage, and adhering to what is right with temperance.

The NT following a Greco-Roman custom gives us several virtue/vice lists in Scripture that should guide our pursuit of virtue.

2 Pet 1:5-9.

Gal 5:22-23 Virtue grows out of faith and love

Col 3:12.

These are the do’s and don’ts of Christianity. Very practical, esp. for the new Christian.

Called to The Virtues of Thought (Phil 4:8)

Pursing virtue is not just an outward behavior

Aristotle thought of virtue as “the good.”

Our mind is to dwell on what is virtuous or what is good.

No greater good to let our minds dwell on than God (Is 26:3)Stayed is the idea of a supported or firm. Think of a house built on a foundation. CSB: the mind that is dependent on you.

EXHORTATION

Christians, God has called us to glory and virtue.

That is our purpose—1 Pet 2:9.

Virtue is seen in our actions. What we do and don’t do.

But it starts in the mind. Keep your mind on Jesus

Not a Christian, God has called you to virtue as well. You can begin the beautiful and good life by becoming a Christian.