Bible Dictionary: Virtue

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) Moral excellence; value; merit; meritoriousness; worth.

2. (n.) Manly strength or courage; bravery; daring; spirit; valor.

3. (n.) Active quality or power; capacity or power adequate to the production of a given effect; energy; strength; potency; efficacy; as, the virtue of a medicine.

4. (n.) Energy or influence operating without contact of the material or sensible substance.

5. (n.) Specifically, moral excellence; integrity of character; purity of soul; performance of duty.

6. (n.) A particular moral excellence; as, the virtue of temperance, of charity, etc.

7. (n.) Specifically: Chastity; purity; especially, the chastity of women; virginity.

8. (n.) One of the orders of the celestial hierarchy.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

VIRTUE

vur'-tu: This word has two quite distinct meanings in the King James Version: (1) It was formerly often used in the now obsolete sense of "manly power," "valor," "efficacy" (Latin, virtus, "manly strength" or "excellence," from vir, "man"):

"Trust in thy single virtue; for thy soldiers

All levied in thy name, have in thy name

Took their discharge."

-Shakespeare, King Lear, V, iii, 103;.

It was also used in the sense of a mighty work, a miracle. Thus Wycliffe translates Matthew 11:20: "Thanne Jhesus bigan to saye repreef to cities in whiche ful many vertues of him weren don." So in the King James Version, Mark 5:30 Luke 6:19; Luke 8:46, in the sense of "power," "miraculous energy or influence" (dunamis, "inherent power, residing in the nature of a thing"; contrast exousia, "power arising from external opportunity or liberty of action"). In these passages it is translated in the Revised Version (British and American) "power" (as elsewhere in the King James Version; compare Acts 3:12, etc.). (2) In its ordinary modern meaning of "moral goodness" it occurs in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) The Wisdom of Solomon 4:1; 5:13; 8:07; Philippians 4:8 2 Peter 1:3, 5. In these passages it stands for arete, the usual classical term for "moral excellence" (originally "fitness" of any sort), used in Septuagint to translate words meaning "glory," "praiseworthiness," as in Habakkuk 3:3 Isaiah 42:12; Isaiah 63:7 (of God); Zechariah 6:13 (of the Messiah). The Septuagint sense may color the meaning of the word as applied to God in 2 Peter 1:3 the Revised Version (British and American); as also in its plural use (of God) in 1 Peter 2:9 (the King James Version "praises," the Revised Version (British and American) "excellencies").

The adjective "virtuous" occurs in the King James Version, the English Revised Version Ruth 3:11 Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 31:10 (the American Standard Revised Version "worthy"), and the adverb "virtuously" in Proverbs 31:29 (the American Standard Revised Version "worthily"), in each case for chayil, "strength," "force" (whether of body or of mind), then in a moral sense of "worth," "virtue."

D. Miall Edwards

Greek

703. arete -- moral goodness, ie virtue
... moral goodness, ie virtue. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: arete
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-et'-ay) Short Definition: virtue, moral excellence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/703.htm - 6k

2130. eumetadotos -- ready to impart
... is gained, ). If this is indeed the meaning of the , then it transforms
simple 'sharing' into a full-fledged virtue. The teaching ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2130.htm - 7k

865. aphilagathos -- without love of good
... despiser of those that are good. From a (as a negative particle) and philagathos;
hostile to virtue -- despiser of those that are good. see GREEK a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/865.htm - 7k

4748. stoicheo -- to be in rows, fig. to walk by rule
... From a derivative of steicho (to range in regular line); to march in (military)
rank (keep step), ie (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety -- walk ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4748.htm - 7k

4190. poneros -- toilsome, bad
... from kakos, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from sapros,
which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively, calamitous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4190.htm - 8k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... in (His) ability.". : Faith is (exclusively) given to . It is a virtue that
can be worked up by human effort. 2. Faith (4102) enables ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

5358. philagathos -- loving that which is good
... love of good. From philos and agathos; fond to good, ie A promoter of virtue --
love of good men. see GREEK philos. see GREEK agathos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5358.htm - 7k

19. agathosune -- to do good
... See 18 (). goodness. From agathos; goodness, ie Virtue or beneficence --
goodness. see GREEK agathos. (agathosune) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/19.htm - 6k

16. agathopoiia -- welldoing
... well-doing. From agathopoios; well-doing, ie Virtue -- well-doing. see GREEK
agathopoios. (agathopoiia) -- 1 Occurrence. 15, 16. agathopoiia. 17 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/16.htm - 7k

5012. tapeinophrosune -- lowliness of mind, humility
... In Scripture, 5012 ("lowliness, humility") is an inside-out virtue produced
by comparing ourselves (rather than to others). This ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5012.htm - 7k

Topical Bible Verses

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
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2 Peter 1:5
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
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James 5:12
But above all things, my brothers, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yes be yes; and your no, no; lest you fall into condemnation.
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2 Timothy 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
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Hebrews 10:30
For we know him that has said, Vengeance belongs to me, I will recompense, said the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
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Matthew 7:1-2
Judge not, that you be not judged.
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Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
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Strong's Hebrew

2428. chayil -- strength, efficiency, wealth, army
... From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army,
wealth, virtue, valor, strength -- able, activity, (+) army, band of men ...
/hebrew/2428.htm - 6k

6666. tsedaqah -- righteousness
... From tsadaq; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice),
morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity) -- justice, moderately ...
/hebrew/6666.htm - 6k

Library

Whether Prudence is a virtue?
... TREATISE ON THE CARDINAL VIRTUES (QQ -170)OF PRUDENCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF
(SIXTEEN ARTICLES) Whether prudence is a virtue? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether prudence is a virtue.htm

Whether Charity is a virtue?
... OF CHARITY, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether charity is a virtue?
Objection 1: It would seem that charity is not a virtue. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity is a virtue.htm

Whether Faith is a virtue?
... OF THE VIRTUE ITSELF OF FAITH (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether faith is a virtue?
Objection 1: It would seem that faith is not a virtue. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether faith is a virtue.htm

Whether Continence is a virtue?
... OF CONTINENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether continence is a virtue? Objection 1:
It would seem that continence is not a virtue. For species ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether continence is a virtue.htm

Whether Penance is a virtue?
... OF PENANCE AS A VIRTUE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether Penance is a virtue? Objection
1: It would seem that penance is not a virtue. For ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether penance is a virtue.htm

Whether Shamefacedness is a virtue?
... OF SHAMEFACEDNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether shamefacedness is a virtue?
Objection 1: It seems that shamefacedness is a virtue. For ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether shamefacedness is a virtue.htm

Whether Hope is a virtue?
... OF HOPE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether hope is a virtue? Objection
1: It would seem that hope is not a virtue. ... Therefore hope is not a virtue. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether hope is a virtue.htm

Whether Mercy is a virtue?
... OF MERCY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether mercy is a virtue? Objection 1: It would
seem that mercy is not a virtue. For the chief part of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether mercy is a virtue.htm

Whether Fortitude is a virtue?
... TREATISE ON FORTITUDE AND TEMPERANCE (QQ -170) cOF FORTITUDE (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether
fortitude is a virtue? ... Therefore fortitude is not a virtue. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fortitude is a virtue.htm

Whether Magnificence is a virtue?
... OF MAGNIFICENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether magnificence is a virtue? Objection
1: It seems that magnificence is not a virtue. For whoever ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether magnificence is a virtue.htm

Thesaurus

Virtue (21 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Active quality or power; capacity or power adequate to the production of
a given effect; energy; strength; potency; efficacy; as, the virtue of a ...
/v/virtue.htm - 16k

Excellence (31 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The state of possessing good qualities
in an eminent degree; exalted merit; superiority in virtue. ...
/e/excellence.htm - 15k

Descent (22 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Progress downward, as in station, virtue, as in station, virtue, and the
like, from a higher to a lower state, from a higher to a lower state, from the ...
/d/descent.htm - 15k

Excellent (52 Occurrences)
... honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if ...
/e/excellent.htm - 24k

Joining (43 Occurrences)
... there. (WEY). 2 Peter 1:5 So, for this very cause, take every care; joining
virtue to faith, and knowledge to virtue, (BBE). Genesis ...
/j/joining.htm - 19k

Loss (90 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who puts away his wife for any other
cause but the loss of her virtue, makes her false to her husband; and whoever ...
/l/loss.htm - 37k

Takes (380 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who puts away his wife for any other
cause but the loss of her virtue, makes her false to her husband; and whoever ...
/t/takes.htm - 34k

Therewith (53 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY). 2 Peter 1:5 But for this very reason also, using therewith all diligence,
in your faith have also virtue, in virtue knowledge, (DBY). ...
/t/therewith.htm - 23k

True (305 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who puts away his wife for any other
cause but the loss of her virtue, makes her false to her husband; and whoever ...
/t/true%20.htm - 33k

Decline (10 Occurrences)
... to tend to a less perfect state; to become diminished or impaired; to fail; to sink;
to diminish; to lessen; as, the day declines; virtue declines; religion ...
/d/decline.htm - 12k

Bible Concordance

Virtue (21 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that everyone who puts away his wife for any other cause but the loss of her virtue, makes her false to her husband; and whoever takes her as his wife after she is put away, is no true husband to her.
(BBE)

Matthew 19:9 And I say to you, Whoever puts away his wife for any other cause than the loss of her virtue, and takes another, is a false husband: and he who takes her as his wife when she is put away, is no true husband to her.
(BBE)

Mark 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
(KJV WBS)

Luke 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
(KJV WBS)

Luke 8:46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
(KJV WBS)

Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw it he said to the people, You men of Israel, why are you so greatly surprised at this man? or why are you looking at us as if by our power or virtue we had given him the use of his legs?
(BBE)

Ephesians 3:7 in which I have been appointed to serve, in virtue of the work which God, in the exercise of His power within me, has graciously entrusted to me.
(WEY)

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS)

2 Timothy 1:9 who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,
(See RSV)

Titus 1:7 For it is necessary for a Bishop to be a man of virtue, as God's servant; not pushing himself forward, not quickly moved to wrath or blows, not desiring profit for himself;
(BBE)

Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
(See RSV)

Hebrews 7:16 and hold His office not in obedience to any temporary Law, but by virtue of an indestructible Life.
(WEY)

Hebrews 13:20 Now may God who gives peace, and brought Jesus, our Lord, up again from among the dead--even Him who, by virtue of the blood of the eternal Covenant, is the great Shepherd of the sheep--
(WEY)

2 Peter 1:3 seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue;
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS)

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
(KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV)

2 Peter 3:15 And always regard the patient forbearance of our Lord as salvation, as our dear brother Paul also has written to you in virtue of the wisdom granted to him.
(WEY)

Ruth 3:11 And now, my daughter, have no fear; I will do for you whatever you say: for it is clear to all my townspeople that you are a woman of virtue.
(BBE)

Psalms 7:8 The Lord will be judge of the peoples; give a decision for me, O Lord, because of my righteousness, and let my virtue have its reward.
(BBE)

Proverbs 12:4 A woman of virtue is a crown to her husband; but she whose behaviour is a cause of shame is like a wasting disease in his bones.
(BBE)

Proverbs 31:10 Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
(BBE)

Ezekiel 16:61 And thou shalt remember thy ways, and be confounded, when thou shalt receive thy sisters who are older than thou, together with those who are younger than thou; for I will give them unto thee for daughters, but not by virtue of thy covenant.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Virtue

Virtue: Excellence

Virtue: Power (Rv)

Related Terms

Excellence (31 Occurrences)

Descent (22 Occurrences)

Excellent (52 Occurrences)

Joining (43 Occurrences)

Loss (90 Occurrences)

Takes (380 Occurrences)

Therewith (53 Occurrences)