Add Virtue

 Add to your faith virtue. 2Pet 1:5

What is virtue?

When we try to understand the word virtue we clearly need to go to the original Greek. It is only found 5 times in the New Testament.

Phil 4:8; Paul giving instructions in how to walk in this way lists what we should be thinking about:

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

1Pet 2:9; The word is translated as praises in this passage in the KJV

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

2Pet 1:3, 5 (twice) add to your faith virtue and to virtue knowledge...

What I see in the words from which it is apparently derived are the sense of a lifting of man. We could say, virtue is the better or higher things a man can do. It is excellence of character, the character of God. We are called to glory and virtue in 2Pet 1:3 and then told to add to our faith that same virtue.

The ways of virtue are the higher ways described clearly by God. They include Love, Joy Peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, Temperance:...(Gal 5:22-23)

The ways of God come from the life of God, and we have been made partakers of the divine nature so we are able to allow these to be seen in our lives. While Paul tells us to think or meditate upon this virtue, Peter tells us that we are to show forth this higher praise and to diligently add it to our faith.

God's ways are so much higher than ours, but we who are joined unto the Lord are one spirit and able and called to manifest the virtue, the higher ways, of God!