Virtue
Summary
Virtue in Scripture has two distinct meanings: moral excellence or goodness, and miraculous power or energy emanating from Christ for healing.
☩Moral Excellence
In its ordinary meaning of moral goodness, virtue translates the Greek arete, the classical term for moral excellence originally meaning 'fitness' of any sort. It appears in Philippians 4:8 where Paul exhorts believers to think on 'whatsoever things are true... if there be any virtue,' and in 2 Peter 1:5 instructing believers to add virtue to their faith. The term was common in heathen ethics but rare in Scripture, perhaps because Christian ethics preferred more specific terms like love, faith, and righteousness. The concept encompasses whatever value resided in the old heathen conception of moral goodness.
☩Divine Power
In the KJV, 'virtue' also translates dunamis, meaning inherent power or miraculous energy, particularly in passages about Jesus' healings. When the woman with the issue of blood touched Christ's garment, Jesus perceived that 'virtue had gone out of him.' The Revised Version correctly renders this as 'power.' Similarly, in Luke 6:19, multitudes sought to touch Jesus 'for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.' This usage reflects the older English sense of virtue as efficacy or potent force.
☩The Virtuous Woman
The Hebrew chayil, meaning strength or force of body or mind, is rendered 'virtuous' in describing the ideal woman of Proverbs 31. Ruth is called a 'virtuous woman' and the excellent wife is described as one whose price is far above rubies. The American Standard Revised Version translates this as 'worthy,' emphasizing capability and strength rather than merely moral purity. The term signifies worth, competence, and excellence in all aspects of character and conduct.
Related Verses6 mentions
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Virtue," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Virtue," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Virtue," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).