Post by Jim Pate on Jun 20, 2014 8:49:12 GMT -5
ἀρετή, ῆς, ἡ
areté: moral goodness, i.e. virtue
Original Word: ἀρετή, ῆς, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: areté
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-et'-ay)
Short Definition: virtue, moral excellence, perfection
Definition: goodness, a gracious act, virtue, uprightness
Moral excellence (virtue) (arete) refers to any preeminence (moral, intellectual, military). Arete is a term denoting consummate ‘excellence’ or ‘merit’ within a social context. To the Greek philosophers, it meant “the fulfillment of a thing.”
Arete came to mean quality of life which made someone or something stand out as excellent. Arete never meant cloistered virtue or virtue of attitude, but virtue which is demonstrated in life.
When anything in nature properly fulfills its purpose, that fulfillment was referred to as “virtue' or "moral excellence.” 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 believer demonstrates moral excellence or virtue by living the way He now has the potential to live (possessing everything necessary for life and godliness, His precious and magnificent promises, partaker of His divine nature).
Arete is used 5 times in the NT (Phil; 1P; 2 Pe 2x) and in the NASB is translated excellence, 2; excellencies, 1; moral excellence, 2. The KJV translates it as praise, 1; virtue, 4.
Vine adds that arete
properly denotes whatever procures preeminent estimation for a person or thing; hence, “intrinsic eminence, moral goodness, virtue,” (Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson)
The English definition of virtue speaks of a particular moral excellence, a beneficial quality or power of a thing, a commendable quality or trait or a capacity to act (potency). Virtue is a disposition or character trait that tends to lead to what is good.
Collins English Dictionary writes that virtue is
"the the quality or practice of moral excellence or righteousness"
The Columbia Encyclopedia adds that
"virtue [Latin = manliness], in philosophy, quality of good in human conduct." (Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed.)
TDNT (although somewhat difficult to follow) has the following note on the background of arete (in its use outside the NT), writing that arete...
"might be rendered
a. "eminence"... It can refer to excellence of achievement, to mastery in a specific field...The subject of achievement may be lands, animals, objects, parts of the body, but mostly it is man. Just as the ways in which the Greek world reflects on human achievement, on specifically human achievement, and indeed on man, are manifold and distinctive, so are the different contents of the word arete. Already in the time of Homer it is used to denote one particular human achievement, namely,
b. “manliness” or martial valour."
c. “merit,” with reference to rolls of honour. At the time of the Sophists the intellectual aspect of the term on the one side, and the ethical, dating from Socrates and Plato, on the other, achieve a prominence unknown in ancient Greece. It is now that the word (arete) acquires the particular meaning which becomes predominant and which primarily influences our own impression of it. Arete becomes a leading tool in the language of Greek moral philosophy in the sense of
d. “virtue.”... in philosophy “virtue,” which in Hellenistic Judaism...can approximate righteousness" (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) (Bolding added)
T. M. Dorman explains that arete...
In its original classical usage arete denoted either the quality of excellence (in any sphere) or the renown that such excellence duly receives. In addition, the plural form was used, often with reference to the gods, in the sense of “mighty deeds” or “manifestations of power.” Later, in Greek ethical philosophy the term came to be used in a more specific and restricted sense to represent the most comprehensive category for moral excellence (“virtue”), the general heading under which more specific virtues were arranged. Used in this ethical sense, arete achieved some currency in Hellenistic Judaism, especially in writings with an apologetic bent (notably Philo, Wisdom of Solomon, 4 Maccabees). But probably because it connoted a moral excellence that was the result of human achievement rather than of obedience to God’s Torah, it remained a marginal term in Jewish moral discourse, subordinate to and often qualified by the OT concept of “righteousness” (Bromiley, G. W. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised. Wm. B. Eerdmans) (Bolding added)
When a Christian lives a life which brings glory to God, he is fulfilling his purpose and thus exhibits “excellence”. True virtue in the Christian life is not “polishing” human qualities but producing divine qualities that make the person more like Jesus Christ.
Notice that Peter applies this same word (arete) to Christ in (v3) and here to the growing believer. As an attribute of the incarnate Christ, it is appropriate that arete should be evident in the lives of His disciples as well.
J Vernon McGee explains arete or "virtue" (KJV) this way
The word virtue is not confined to chastity. We use it today when we refer to a woman being virtuous or morally chaste. Actually, virtue as Peter uses it has to do with excellence and courage. It means that you have the courage to excel in life. You don’t have to live a little, mousy Mr. Milquetoast life and be a yes-man to everything that comes along. You can stand on your own two feet, state your position, and be counted for God. We certainly need that kind of “virtue” in this hour in which we are living, and the only way we can get it is through the knowledge of Christ. This is the formula Peter is giving to us here: “through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos) (Bolding added)
Note that each of the 7 traits is modified by the definite article, "the" (ten), which makes each new trait specific. They may not substitute just any trait.
William Barclay commenting on this verse explains that arete is...
"very rare in the New Testament but it is the supreme Greek word for virtue in every sense of the term. It means excellence. It has two special directions in which its meaning moves.
(a) Arete is what we might call operative or efficient, excellence. To take two examples of its usage from widely differing spheres—it can be used of land which is fertile; and it can be used of the mighty deeds of the gods. ( It could describe the excellence of the ground in a field, the excellence of a tool for its purpose, the physical excellence of an animal, the excellence of the courage of a soldier, and the virtue of a man.) Arete is that virtue which makes a man a good citizen and friend; it is that virtue which makes him an expert in the technique of living well.
(b) Arete often means courage. Plutarch says that God is a hope of aretē, not an excuse for cowardice. In 2 Maccabees we read of how Eleazar died rather than be false to the laws of God and his fathers; and the story ends by saying that he left his death for an example of noble courage (aretē) and a memorial of virtue, not only to young men, but also to all the nation (2 Maccabees 6:31). In this passage it is not necessary to choose between these two meanings; they are both there. Faith must issue, not in the retirement of the cloister and the cell, but in a life effective in the service of God and man; and it must issue in the courage always to show whose it is and whom it serves." (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press or Logos) (Bolding added)
Arete is used by Paul exhorting the saints at Philippi to
"let (their) mind dwell on" "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence (arete) and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." (see note Philippians 4:8)
The key to godly living is godly thinking, as Solomon wisely observed:
Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Pr 4:23)
Vine commenting on (Philippians 4:8) adds that "excellence"
"properly denotes whatever procures preeminent estimation for a person or thing. In heathen usage it meant only the moral excellence of self-reliance and courage. But the New Testament raises its use to a higher meaning. It is used of God in 1 Peter 2:9 and 22 Peter 1:3. Here and in 2 Peter 1:5, it is used of general moral excellence in the estimation of God." (Vine, W. (1997, c1996). Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
Peter uses arete to remind his believing readers that they are now
"a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies (arete) of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (see note 1 Peter 2:9)
The world is in the dark (spiritually), and does not know the “excellencies” of God, but God has chosen believers out of that spiritual darkness and given us the purpose of living in such a way ("now for this very reason applying all diligence in your faith supply moral excellence"!) that the lost and spiritually blind would be able to see the "excellence" or "virtue" of God in our lives. We are citizens of heaven who are to be living advertisements (active ambassadors) for the virtues of God. Our lives should radiate this marvelous light into which God has graciously called us.
APPLICATION: Is your life radiating or repressing the excellencies of God?
Wayne Barber gives an interesting explanation of what it means practically to supply moral excellence asking...
What does moral excellence have to do with us? In 2 Peter 1:4 (see note) we are "partakers of the divine nature" (nature = disposition), i.e., we have the actual disposition of Christ within us! We are virtuous or morally excellent Christians when we start fulfilling the purpose of not just telling the world we have the divine nature, but when the world begins to see that divine nature within us. (Ed note: which is analogous to the example of land that produces crops being referred to as excellent because it fulfills its purpose)
When a Christian fulfills his purpose, he is a virtuous person. But a person who goes around talking about it all the time and yet has no reality to back up his talk is not manifesting a virtuous life. These folks are not living according to what they have. To understand Who lives in them every Christian should read Ian Thomas' The Saving Life of Christ ...(this simple book will help them) to understand Who lives in them...(i.e., that) it is Christ living His life through us. As Wayne decreases and Christ increases the world sees Christ when they look at Wayne...this is the virtuous (morally excellent) person. It is His death that saves us, but His life transforms us because His life lives through us. This is Jn 3:30 where Christ increases and we decrease, so that when the world looks at us they see Christ, not us! Christ-like development is coming out of your faith from the character of Christ that was already there! Faith is energized by the WORD of God.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (see note Romans 10:17)
As I read the Word of God, obeying what I read, something already there is energized and it begins to come out of me--the nature & disposition of Christ Himself! That's when we are virtuous. Then you're not just talking it, but living it! This excellence cannot be produced apart from our faith. The secular world has a certain kind of "excellence or virtue" (the Greek philosophers like Aristotle all use this word), the difference being that they tried to bring in the humanistic virtue and in so doing replaced the divine virtue. E.g., the positive thinking hucksters say if you have a positive attitude about something, you can do it (this is a veiled form of humanism). The "virtue" Peter is describing is not something you do, but something that God does in you, because you possess the faith from which comes the divine character of God." Wayne goes on to help us understand the spiritual dynamic alluding to Gal 5:22-23 which "describes the "fruit", which is that which is already contained within the seed.
The fruit of the Spirit [not the individual but the Spirit] is agape love--you in your own strength simply cannot love like Jesus unless that love comes from Christ in you because this word for love, agape, describes love that is selfless, love that never takes but only gives...It is not me working for God. Yes, there are works, but it's the ''work'' of obedience so that it is Christ working through me. It is not us, but it is Christ living in us and working through us. If you think that you can love like Jesus loves, just try waking up tomorrow morning and telling Him "Lord, I'm going to love like You did." And God will put a brother in your life like you didn't even know existed! God knows who to drop on us to show us the futility of this approach. And then you cry out in frustration "Oh God, I can't!" And He will say ''That's exactly right and now would you like to know a little more about what moral excellence is? Would you like to know a little more about what virtue is? It doesn't come from you. It comes from Me Who lives in you." Just try coming up with that self-less love that never takes but only gives. You simply cannot do it in your own strength. This ability came as part of the complete "package" you received when you believed."
Barber goes on to describe a similar dynamic in the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit reminding us that
joy does not equate with happiness [happiness is determined by circumstances] but only comes from a conscious relationship with God and you cannot get it anywhere else.
Peace, the absence of strife, only comes from Jesus, Who is our peace.
Kindness, godly sensitivity to one another only comes from God...And all of these aspects of fruit are produced by the divine disposition that is within us that is brought out by our faith. You don't need to go to some ''higher life'' conference. You just ''simply'' with all diligence don't quit until you see God produce this character in your life. Don't worry. He will help you out by using the classroom of "Circumstances 101" and then graduate you up to "Circumstances 203".
In sum arete describes anything that fulfills its purpose or function properly. In this context it means a Christian who fulfills his or her calling
AND IN YOUR MORAL EXCELLENCE KNOWLEDGE: en de te arete ten gnosin: (Click devotional "Know to Grow") (2Pe 1:2 3:18 1Co 14:20 Eph 1:17,18 5:17 Php 1:9 Col 1:9 1Pe 3:7)
areté: moral goodness, i.e. virtue
Original Word: ἀρετή, ῆς, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: areté
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-et'-ay)
Short Definition: virtue, moral excellence, perfection
Definition: goodness, a gracious act, virtue, uprightness
Moral excellence (virtue) (arete) refers to any preeminence (moral, intellectual, military). Arete is a term denoting consummate ‘excellence’ or ‘merit’ within a social context. To the Greek philosophers, it meant “the fulfillment of a thing.”
Arete came to mean quality of life which made someone or something stand out as excellent. Arete never meant cloistered virtue or virtue of attitude, but virtue which is demonstrated in life.
When anything in nature properly fulfills its purpose, that fulfillment was referred to as “virtue' or "moral excellence.” 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 believer demonstrates moral excellence or virtue by living the way He now has the potential to live (possessing everything necessary for life and godliness, His precious and magnificent promises, partaker of His divine nature).
Arete is used 5 times in the NT (Phil; 1P; 2 Pe 2x) and in the NASB is translated excellence, 2; excellencies, 1; moral excellence, 2. The KJV translates it as praise, 1; virtue, 4.
Vine adds that arete
properly denotes whatever procures preeminent estimation for a person or thing; hence, “intrinsic eminence, moral goodness, virtue,” (Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson)
The English definition of virtue speaks of a particular moral excellence, a beneficial quality or power of a thing, a commendable quality or trait or a capacity to act (potency). Virtue is a disposition or character trait that tends to lead to what is good.
Collins English Dictionary writes that virtue is
"the the quality or practice of moral excellence or righteousness"
The Columbia Encyclopedia adds that
"virtue [Latin = manliness], in philosophy, quality of good in human conduct." (Columbia Encyclopedia. 6th ed.)
TDNT (although somewhat difficult to follow) has the following note on the background of arete (in its use outside the NT), writing that arete...
"might be rendered
a. "eminence"... It can refer to excellence of achievement, to mastery in a specific field...The subject of achievement may be lands, animals, objects, parts of the body, but mostly it is man. Just as the ways in which the Greek world reflects on human achievement, on specifically human achievement, and indeed on man, are manifold and distinctive, so are the different contents of the word arete. Already in the time of Homer it is used to denote one particular human achievement, namely,
b. “manliness” or martial valour."
c. “merit,” with reference to rolls of honour. At the time of the Sophists the intellectual aspect of the term on the one side, and the ethical, dating from Socrates and Plato, on the other, achieve a prominence unknown in ancient Greece. It is now that the word (arete) acquires the particular meaning which becomes predominant and which primarily influences our own impression of it. Arete becomes a leading tool in the language of Greek moral philosophy in the sense of
d. “virtue.”... in philosophy “virtue,” which in Hellenistic Judaism...can approximate righteousness" (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) (Bolding added)
T. M. Dorman explains that arete...
In its original classical usage arete denoted either the quality of excellence (in any sphere) or the renown that such excellence duly receives. In addition, the plural form was used, often with reference to the gods, in the sense of “mighty deeds” or “manifestations of power.” Later, in Greek ethical philosophy the term came to be used in a more specific and restricted sense to represent the most comprehensive category for moral excellence (“virtue”), the general heading under which more specific virtues were arranged. Used in this ethical sense, arete achieved some currency in Hellenistic Judaism, especially in writings with an apologetic bent (notably Philo, Wisdom of Solomon, 4 Maccabees). But probably because it connoted a moral excellence that was the result of human achievement rather than of obedience to God’s Torah, it remained a marginal term in Jewish moral discourse, subordinate to and often qualified by the OT concept of “righteousness” (Bromiley, G. W. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised. Wm. B. Eerdmans) (Bolding added)
When a Christian lives a life which brings glory to God, he is fulfilling his purpose and thus exhibits “excellence”. True virtue in the Christian life is not “polishing” human qualities but producing divine qualities that make the person more like Jesus Christ.
Notice that Peter applies this same word (arete) to Christ in (v3) and here to the growing believer. As an attribute of the incarnate Christ, it is appropriate that arete should be evident in the lives of His disciples as well.
J Vernon McGee explains arete or "virtue" (KJV) this way
The word virtue is not confined to chastity. We use it today when we refer to a woman being virtuous or morally chaste. Actually, virtue as Peter uses it has to do with excellence and courage. It means that you have the courage to excel in life. You don’t have to live a little, mousy Mr. Milquetoast life and be a yes-man to everything that comes along. You can stand on your own two feet, state your position, and be counted for God. We certainly need that kind of “virtue” in this hour in which we are living, and the only way we can get it is through the knowledge of Christ. This is the formula Peter is giving to us here: “through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary: Thomas Nelson or Logos) (Bolding added)
Note that each of the 7 traits is modified by the definite article, "the" (ten), which makes each new trait specific. They may not substitute just any trait.
William Barclay commenting on this verse explains that arete is...
"very rare in the New Testament but it is the supreme Greek word for virtue in every sense of the term. It means excellence. It has two special directions in which its meaning moves.
(a) Arete is what we might call operative or efficient, excellence. To take two examples of its usage from widely differing spheres—it can be used of land which is fertile; and it can be used of the mighty deeds of the gods. ( It could describe the excellence of the ground in a field, the excellence of a tool for its purpose, the physical excellence of an animal, the excellence of the courage of a soldier, and the virtue of a man.) Arete is that virtue which makes a man a good citizen and friend; it is that virtue which makes him an expert in the technique of living well.
(b) Arete often means courage. Plutarch says that God is a hope of aretē, not an excuse for cowardice. In 2 Maccabees we read of how Eleazar died rather than be false to the laws of God and his fathers; and the story ends by saying that he left his death for an example of noble courage (aretē) and a memorial of virtue, not only to young men, but also to all the nation (2 Maccabees 6:31). In this passage it is not necessary to choose between these two meanings; they are both there. Faith must issue, not in the retirement of the cloister and the cell, but in a life effective in the service of God and man; and it must issue in the courage always to show whose it is and whom it serves." (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press or Logos) (Bolding added)
Arete is used by Paul exhorting the saints at Philippi to
"let (their) mind dwell on" "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence (arete) and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." (see note Philippians 4:8)
The key to godly living is godly thinking, as Solomon wisely observed:
Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life” (Pr 4:23)
Vine commenting on (Philippians 4:8) adds that "excellence"
"properly denotes whatever procures preeminent estimation for a person or thing. In heathen usage it meant only the moral excellence of self-reliance and courage. But the New Testament raises its use to a higher meaning. It is used of God in 1 Peter 2:9 and 22 Peter 1:3. Here and in 2 Peter 1:5, it is used of general moral excellence in the estimation of God." (Vine, W. (1997, c1996). Collected writings of W. E. Vine. Nashville: Thomas Nelson)
Peter uses arete to remind his believing readers that they are now
"a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies (arete) of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." (see note 1 Peter 2:9)
The world is in the dark (spiritually), and does not know the “excellencies” of God, but God has chosen believers out of that spiritual darkness and given us the purpose of living in such a way ("now for this very reason applying all diligence in your faith supply moral excellence"!) that the lost and spiritually blind would be able to see the "excellence" or "virtue" of God in our lives. We are citizens of heaven who are to be living advertisements (active ambassadors) for the virtues of God. Our lives should radiate this marvelous light into which God has graciously called us.
APPLICATION: Is your life radiating or repressing the excellencies of God?
Wayne Barber gives an interesting explanation of what it means practically to supply moral excellence asking...
What does moral excellence have to do with us? In 2 Peter 1:4 (see note) we are "partakers of the divine nature" (nature = disposition), i.e., we have the actual disposition of Christ within us! We are virtuous or morally excellent Christians when we start fulfilling the purpose of not just telling the world we have the divine nature, but when the world begins to see that divine nature within us. (Ed note: which is analogous to the example of land that produces crops being referred to as excellent because it fulfills its purpose)
When a Christian fulfills his purpose, he is a virtuous person. But a person who goes around talking about it all the time and yet has no reality to back up his talk is not manifesting a virtuous life. These folks are not living according to what they have. To understand Who lives in them every Christian should read Ian Thomas' The Saving Life of Christ ...(this simple book will help them) to understand Who lives in them...(i.e., that) it is Christ living His life through us. As Wayne decreases and Christ increases the world sees Christ when they look at Wayne...this is the virtuous (morally excellent) person. It is His death that saves us, but His life transforms us because His life lives through us. This is Jn 3:30 where Christ increases and we decrease, so that when the world looks at us they see Christ, not us! Christ-like development is coming out of your faith from the character of Christ that was already there! Faith is energized by the WORD of God.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (see note Romans 10:17)
As I read the Word of God, obeying what I read, something already there is energized and it begins to come out of me--the nature & disposition of Christ Himself! That's when we are virtuous. Then you're not just talking it, but living it! This excellence cannot be produced apart from our faith. The secular world has a certain kind of "excellence or virtue" (the Greek philosophers like Aristotle all use this word), the difference being that they tried to bring in the humanistic virtue and in so doing replaced the divine virtue. E.g., the positive thinking hucksters say if you have a positive attitude about something, you can do it (this is a veiled form of humanism). The "virtue" Peter is describing is not something you do, but something that God does in you, because you possess the faith from which comes the divine character of God." Wayne goes on to help us understand the spiritual dynamic alluding to Gal 5:22-23 which "describes the "fruit", which is that which is already contained within the seed.
The fruit of the Spirit [not the individual but the Spirit] is agape love--you in your own strength simply cannot love like Jesus unless that love comes from Christ in you because this word for love, agape, describes love that is selfless, love that never takes but only gives...It is not me working for God. Yes, there are works, but it's the ''work'' of obedience so that it is Christ working through me. It is not us, but it is Christ living in us and working through us. If you think that you can love like Jesus loves, just try waking up tomorrow morning and telling Him "Lord, I'm going to love like You did." And God will put a brother in your life like you didn't even know existed! God knows who to drop on us to show us the futility of this approach. And then you cry out in frustration "Oh God, I can't!" And He will say ''That's exactly right and now would you like to know a little more about what moral excellence is? Would you like to know a little more about what virtue is? It doesn't come from you. It comes from Me Who lives in you." Just try coming up with that self-less love that never takes but only gives. You simply cannot do it in your own strength. This ability came as part of the complete "package" you received when you believed."
Barber goes on to describe a similar dynamic in the other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit reminding us that
joy does not equate with happiness [happiness is determined by circumstances] but only comes from a conscious relationship with God and you cannot get it anywhere else.
Peace, the absence of strife, only comes from Jesus, Who is our peace.
Kindness, godly sensitivity to one another only comes from God...And all of these aspects of fruit are produced by the divine disposition that is within us that is brought out by our faith. You don't need to go to some ''higher life'' conference. You just ''simply'' with all diligence don't quit until you see God produce this character in your life. Don't worry. He will help you out by using the classroom of "Circumstances 101" and then graduate you up to "Circumstances 203".
In sum arete describes anything that fulfills its purpose or function properly. In this context it means a Christian who fulfills his or her calling
AND IN YOUR MORAL EXCELLENCE KNOWLEDGE: en de te arete ten gnosin: (Click devotional "Know to Grow") (2Pe 1:2 3:18 1Co 14:20 Eph 1:17,18 5:17 Php 1:9 Col 1:9 1Pe 3:7)