We use the word “virtue” to mean a kind of moral excellence. A virtuous person is one who lives an upstanding life without falling into immoral habits. The phrase “virtue signalling” refers to one who tries to “show off” anything positive they do, in opposition to Christ’s command to do your good deeds in humility without trying to use them to increase your reputation. The way we use the word “virtue” now is not the same way earlier English translators intended it, nor the biblical authors.
Our English word for virtue is derived from the Latin “vir” meaning “man.” The related word “virile” means very strong/forceful and so “virtue” originally had a meaning closer to manliness or strength than to morality.
The KJV sees this connection and often translates the Greek word for “power” (dunamis) as “virtue” in English. These translators saw the meaning of virtue as closer to strength and power than to moral character.
The same is true for the Greek word arete (Strongs #703) we translate in English as virtue or excellence. Arete comes from arren (Strongs #730) which means “man” (suggesting masculine strength).
Luke 8:46, And Jesus said, “Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.”
For the above verse, when the woman with the issue of blood touched Jesus and he felt virtue leave him, this does not mean he lusted after the woman and was caused to stumble. The “virtue” that went out means the power of God resting on him went out to heal the woman. Jesus did not lose moral virtue. The Holy Spirit POWER he carried activated to help her!
New translations use the word “(moral) excellence” instead of virtue, but it is questionable whether “excellence” captures the original meaning of strength. Excellence means to be thorough or to do a good job, but does not carry the connotation of courage or valor that the biblical authors intended. Also, adding the word “moral” which was not there in the original text, is more of an interpretation than a translation.
Lets look at how virtue is interpreted in several different Bible translations:
2 Peter 1:5,
- KJV: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
- NIV: For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
- Godbey NT: “And in harmony with this same thing also, add to your faith heroism; and to heroism, knowledge;”
- Haweis NT: And for this very purpose employing the greatest diligence, lead up in the train of your faith courage; and with courage intelligence;
- Mace NT: Do you on your part employ all your care in adding to your faith, fortitude: to fortitude, knowledge:
Some older translations use words like heroism, courage, or fortitude to translate virtue. This gives you a flavour for the full meaning here. Virtue is not just some kind of generic moral goodness, virtue is the quality David, Paul, Jesus and other persons in the Bible displayed when standing boldly against evil and putting their lives on the line countless times.
Perhaps the confusion in translation is because Christianity is known for promoting the value of the weak and not the powerful. Jesus came as the lamb of God and did not boast of his strengths or successes. Jesus most famous teaching is the beatitudes, celebrating the worth of the meek and weak to God. Given this, we in Christianity are not used to celebrating “strength” as a virtue. Translators shy away from writing that strength can be a moral quality.
Virtue is the opposite of passive Christianity. Virtue is not simply moral values, but rather virtue is the strength to defend those values. We need strength to defend the faith against opposition, and we need inner strength to reject temptation when no one is watching. Virtue is the muscle of courage we build up inside by not shying away in the little inconvenient decisions to chose right. Then we will be strong when the true test comes that requires great inner strength to make the right choice in. Sometimes the right decision is easy, but sometimes it really takes strength to do what is right and make the right choice knowing it will be unpopular or cause inconvenience. Virtue is not living right when it is easy, virtue is the strength to do what is right when it takes courage. Virtue is not just a desire to live morally upright, it is the inner strength to actually make this happen.
A quote comes to mind, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men should do nothing.”
In an age where our faith is under attack, it is time to retake the true meaning of the word virtue.