Using the Vines Expository Dictionary can help create a more dynamic Bible Study experience.
The first man to disciple Howie and I, Eric Walton, put an emphasis on three tools for use during personal devotions:
- A Thompson Chain Reference Bible,
- The Strongs Exhaustive Concordance
- Vines Expository Dictionary.
This morning I was thinking about the verses found in 2 Peter that tell us how to bear fruit in our Christian lives.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful
in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Pet. 1:5-8
Have you ever noticed how most people are eager to add to their faith knowledge? But Peter tells us to add to our faith virtue. Virtue should come after faith and before adding knowledge.
So what is virtue?
arete (G703) properly denotes whatever procures preeminent estimation for a person or thing; hence, “intrinsic eminence, moral goodness, virtue,” Vines. Wow! That is a mouthful.
Let’s define procure, preeminent and estimation then plug them in with common language.
To procure is to obtain and preeminent means superior in excellence; distinguished for something commendable or honorable. Estimation is an opinion or judgment of the worth or a favorable opinion. Derived from Websters
Let’s rework this with some easier definition. We should add to our faith Virtue, which simply is the obtaining that which is excellent and honorable and having a judgment of worth. To me that seems like a very lofty goal to obtain, especially right after faith and before knowledge. So how do we do that?
Comments and thoughts invited!
Debbie
More on Virtue from Vines:
arete (G703) properly denotes whatever procures preeminent estimation for a person or thing; hence, “intrinsic eminence, moral goodness, virtue,” (a) of God, 1Pe_2:9, “excellencies” (KJV, “praises”); here the original and general sense seems to be blended with the impression made on others, i.e., renown, excellence or praise (Hort); in 2Pe_1:3, “(by His own glory and) virtue,” RV (instrumental dative), i.e., the manifestation of His divine power; this significance is frequently illustrated in the papyri and was evidently common in current Greek speech; (b) of any particular moral excellence, Phi_4:8; 2Pe_1:5 (twice), where virtue is enjoined as an essential quality in the exercise of faith, RV, “(in your faith supply) virtue.”