ADAR BET 17
Virtue
“…add
to your faith virtue.” (2Pet 1:5 KJV)
‘Virtue’ is defined as “general moral
excellence; right action and thinking; goodness or morality; a specific moral quality regarded as good or
deserving praise”[1]
(emphasis mine). Interesting to find is
that the Greek word translated as ‘virtue’ is the word aretē (Strong’s
G703),
and is only used five times in the Apostolic Writings (New Testament), two of
which are in this verse of 2Peter. The
first time this word is used is in Phi 4:8, describing part of the thought life
we are to cultivate and meditate on: “…if there be any virtue … think on these things.”
But how do we add virtue – moral excellence – to our faith? Our friend Noah Webster has this to say concerning ‘virtue’: it is “the practice of moral duties and the abstaining from vice, or a conformity of life and conversation to the moral law. Virtue is nothing but voluntary obedience to truth.”[2] (emphasis mine) We who believe in the validity of the Torah also recognize and understand the Scriptures define Torah as truth (Ps 119:142, 151); therefore, the exercise of virtue must be the willing and joyful walk of Torah obedience.
Among the antonyms (antonym=a word opposite in meaning to anther) for ‘virtue’, as found in Roget’s Thesaurus, are the words disrespect, evil, immorality and dishonor[3], words that could well define the societal atmosphere of today. We live in a world of hate and rage, a world where people are no longer afraid of the consequences of their actions. They simply do not care. May we all recognize the need for this addition to our faith, the seasoning of virtue to enhance and come along side of the faith that we attempt to live by.
“Who has given us all
things that pertain to the power of Elohim, for the life and worship of Elohim,
through the full knowledge of the One calling us through glory and VIRTUE.” (2Pet 1:3 HRB, emphasis
mine)
©2022
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