Adding Virtue to our Faith

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2 Peter 15Adding Virtue to our Faith
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Add Virtue

• ARETE Used 4 Times in NT
• 2 Pet. 15 - translated goodness (NIV) or
  moral excellence (NASB)
• ...who called us by glory and virtue - 2 Pet.
  13
• ...that you may proclaim the praises
  (excellencies) of Him - 1 Pet. 29
• ...if there is any virtue Phil. 48

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• Definition
• ARETE had broad meaning
• Excellence whether 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.

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• 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.

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• Definition
• Thayer on 2 Pet 15 take it here
  specifically, moral vigor.
• Bengel moral power, moral energy, vigor of the
  soul.
• Youngs Concordance force, strength (of mind
  or body).
• Liddell-Scott in Homer, like Latin virtus
  (from vir), manhood, prowess, valour

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• Definition
• James Hastings (on arete in 2 Pet. 15)
• 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.

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• Definition
• Virtue is not just moral excellence in general
  it is the strength and courage needed to make
  brave choices in service to Christ.

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• The Virtuous Man - Jesus
• Behold, the man. John 195
• Jesus was indeed the man the perfect man of
  moral strength and bravery.
• Heb. 121-3 looking to Jesus His virtuous
  faith is summed up in the cross, but His whole
  life was one of moral courage.

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• Virtuous Faith in Hebrews 11
• Abraham went out, not knowing
• Moses parents not afraid of the kings
  commandment
• Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of
  the king
• Daniel stopped the mouths of lions

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• Applications
• Arete must be a primary trait of the faithful
  soldier of Christ.
• Fight the good fight of faith 1 Tim. 610
• Put on the whole armor of God Eph. 610-17

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• 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 214-26)
• Under adverse conditions, virtue is making the
  choice (by faith) to do what is right (simply
  because it is right), regardless of the
  consequences.

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• 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

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• 1 Cor. 1613-14
• Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act
  like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done
  in love.

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• Moral Courage
• Virtue calls for repentance.

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Will You Become A Christian?
Hear the Gospel (Rom. 1017) Believe that Jesus
is the Son of God (Mk. 1616) Repent of Your Sins
(Acts 1730) Confess Jesus as Lord (Rom.
109-10) Be Baptized for Forgiveness of Sins
(Acts 238) Live Faithfully until You Die (Rev.
210)