Virtue

Virtue

Key verse:

2 Peter 1:3 (KJV): According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

2 Peter 1:3 (NKJV): as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,

2 Peter 1:3 (ESV): His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence [G703: arete, virtue],

2 Peter 1:3 (ASV): seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;

You will note that there are different readings of this verse. Some say (KJV), he called us "to glory and virtue." Others say (NKJV), he called us "by [his own] glory and virtue." Still others (ESV) say, he called us "to his own glory and excellence [virtue]." Essentially, it is God's glory and virtue that it is referring to, whether it is "by" or "through" or "to", the source is God's glory and virtue. It is with the intent that God's glory and virtue become ours. As the next verse tells us,

2 Peter 1:4-5 (ESV): by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,

The Greek word for "virtue" is G703, arete, which means virtue, moral excellence, purity, virtuous course of thought, feeling and action. We can think of virtue in the sense of a "virtuous woman" as is found in Proverbs 31.

Proverbs 31:10: Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.

And Paul speaks of virtue in this way:

Philippians 4:8 (MEV; Modern English Version): 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 is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.

Further, in the Book of Revelation, God's remnant people are described as having moral purity, and by implication, virtue. For example, in Revelation 14, the remnant people are called "virgins". The term "virgin" is metaphorical, and speaks of purity of thought and conduct. They have not drunk the wine of Babylon.

Revelation 14:4-5: It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are blameless.

Revelation 14:8 (MEV): Another angel followed, saying, “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon, that Great City,’ because she made all the nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality.”

In Revelation 7 these saints are described as wearing white robes, symbolic of purity.

Virtue is our destiny. Thus, given that Peter tells us that glory and virtue is our calling—this is what God wants us to strive toward; His own glory and virtue. And, given that Paul tells us that this is how we are to think; and given that the Book of Revelation tells us that the last generation of saints will think and behave this way. THEREFORE, as the last generation of believers, as we believe to be, this should be a topic of discussion. At minimum, we should have some basic understanding of what the Bible is telling us.

We are called to glory and virtue, we are to think virtuously, and we are to act in a virtous manner. But, how? The Book of Revelation can help us here. In the same chapter 14, verse 12:

Revelation 14:12 (ASV): Here is the patience of the saints, they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Back to 2 Peter chapter 1, verse 5:

2 Peter 1:5: For this very reason make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;

Faith then virtue. What we have in Peter is that what follows faith is virtue. We start with faith. In the game of baseball, faith is first base. The object of the game is to hit the ball and run the bases. The player, at minimum, tries to get to first base. Once on first base, the player tries to get to second base, and so on. Again, first base is faith and second base is virtue.

After a whole chapter on the heroes of faith, in Hebrews 11, it concludes (in the next chapter) with Jesus being the founder and perfecter of our faith.

Hebrews 12:1-2: Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,

Discipline follows faith. The Book of Hebrews then goes on to speak of discipline. This is an important segue way. This is an important transition.

Hebrews 12:4-11: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Thus, according to the Book of Hebrews, faith is followed by intense discipline, which leads to "the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Effectively, faith by way of discipline leads to holiness. This is why the saints at the end of time have the faith of Jesus and manifest holiness, because they have gone through intense discipline. In the end, they manifest the character of God, which is made evident by them keeping God's commandments.

Commandment-keeping is our destiny. Now, the commandments of God define His character. They define holiness—virtue, moral purity. The first reaction of most Christians is: Ugh, are we to keep God's commandments?! I thought we were saved by grace through faith. I thought that is all we needed. Why then are you talking about keeping God's commandments? That sounds like legalism!

Not saved by works. Indeed, it would be legalism, if you believed that keeping the commandments will save you. It won't save you, because the law demands perfection and no one is perfect. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Christians don't keep the law to be saved; Christians keep the law because they are saved. Commandment-keeping is not the object of salvation, it is the fruit of salvation. It is the result of a changed heart. A saved individual will manifest his saved condition by the fruit of righteousness. He will manifest it by holiness. And, holiness is defined by the law. The Christian starts with faith and ends with faith. But it is through virtue that your faith is manifest. As James said, I manifest my faith by my works.

James 2:18: But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

As Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "every good tree produces good fruit, but the bad tree produces evil fruit" (Matthew 7:17).

Thou shall nots. The problem with many rejecting the law is because of an incorrect understanding of the law. It is not so much a debate over faith and works, but not understanding what the law is trying to teach. Because the Law is written largely in a negative form, it is viewed in a negative sense. Eight of the ten are written with negative wording, either as "Thou shall not . . ." or similar phrasing. These commandments are regarded not as a potential but a factually negative. They denote things which are strictly forbidden, and can be appropriately translated, "You must not ever . . ." They are ten commandments, not ten suggestions. They are absolute laws. Besides the ten commandments, you will find that the other laws found in the Torah (the books of Moses), some 600+ laws, are also largely written in the negative.

Because they are written in the negative, we react negatively.

Not morally free. The Law is a challenge to my status as a free moral agent. Am I a free moral agent or not? Do I really have the freedom to choose what I want? The answer is Yes and No. Yes, we have the freedom to do whatever we want but, no, not all choices lead to positive outcomes. Moreover, the ability to do what is good and right and true, is not our human inclination. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death" (Proverbs 14:12). Human inclination is tainted by sin. We may be free to choose, but we invariably tend to choose evil. As Paul says in Romans 7,

Romans 7:14-15: For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

Romans 7:18: For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.

The law is offensive to us because while on the one hand it reveals what is right, what is true righteousness, on the other hand it reveals my inability to keep it and satisfy its demands. The law is good, the precepts are good, but I am sold under sin. I am found to be a sinner, condemned by the law. I am found to be incapable of keeping it. Paul is telling us that we have the freedom to choose what is right, but we don't have the ability to choose what is right.
This is why reading the Bible is difficult. It condemns us. We often feel guilty when reading it. This is why we have a hard time going to Sabbath School. We have a hard time dealing with guilt.
Moral freedom is an illusion. So, back to the question: Are we really and truly free moral agents? Do we have the freedom to choose? Again, the answer is yes and no. Yes, we have the freedom to do what is right, but we don't have the inclination. We have the capability but not the power. Moral freedom is an illusion. We are not free, we are slaves.

Romans 6:20-23: For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In Paul's mind, you are either a slave of sin or can become a slave of God. There is no moral freedom whatsoever. You are either driven by the power of selfishness or by the power of grace that comes through Christ. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that's grace] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

The power to keep the law is not within you. It is given to you. You must ask for it.

Back to virtue - the moral law and relationships. As important as the grace of God is, I would like to go back to virtue. Virtue as defined by the law. For the Bible defines virtue, moral excellence, in terms of law. The ten commandments is called the moral law for a reason. It defines moral behavior. When we look at the ten commandments, we see that it is talking about our relationship to God and our relationship to others. The ten commandments is all about relationships. Effectively, it is all about virtue. So, let me reintroduce to you the 10 commandments.

Two tablets. The 10 commandments were written on two tablets of stone by the finger of God. The fact that they are the only words written by the finger of God should be reason enough to give them serious consideration.

According to the traditional teachings of Judaism (in the Talmud), these two stones were of a blue color, either of sapphire or of lapis lazuli. The color blue becoming the symbol of God's law. Under God's feet is a pavement of stone of sapphire (Exodus 24:10).

The dimensions of these two tablets is interesting. The dimensions are not given, but we can speculate. Since they were placed inside a furniture called the Ark of the Covenant, then they had to be smaller than the dimensions of the ark. The ark's dimensions where 2.5 by 1.5 by 1.5 cubits. It has been suggested that the tablets were placed side by side inside the ark. It is further suggested that they were most likely square, being 1 cubit by 1 cubit each. This leaves 1/2 a cubit of wiggle room to place them inside the ark. The writing on these tablets where on both sides, front and back.

Exodus 32:15: Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written.

The imagery of stone in the Bible is quite rich, worthy of a sermon all its own. The relationship of stones to covenant-making is quite interesting.

(Stones represented covenant-making. Altars of sacrifice were made of stone; all except the altar of burnt offering in the Sanctuary. Stones represented judgment as in the 10 commandments and the stoning of those who broke the law. Jesus is described as the chief cornerstone. We are stones that make up the church. The New Jerusalem has foundations of gem stones with walls of jasper stone. According to Revelation 2:17, we will be given a white stone with our own new name.)

The ten commandments were placed in a wooden box, called the ark of the covenant. Wood is symbolic of growth and adaptability. Whereas stone is absolute, wood is adaptable. Moreover, this wooden box was encased in gold, representative of purity of character.

Ten Commandments in Layers. With respect to the 10 commandments, we should see them in layers of understanding.

First layer. The first layer is that the 10 commandments are written on two tablets, suggesting that there are two sets of commandments, and indeed there are. You will note that several relate to God and the others to our fellow man. Most divide up the first four as relating to God and the last six as relating to our fellow man. But I would suggest that the 10 commandments are really grouped into five and five. The first five commandments have to do with relationships in the vertical axis. They involve primarily God, but also our parents. Our parents hold a special place in the vertical axis and rightly belong there. When we honor our parents, we receive a special blessing. The Hebrew word is kabad (H3513) and can mean glorify, make weighty. We are to give glory to our parents. This commandment rightly belongs in the first set.

The last five commandments is all about relationships on the horizontal axis. Think of the ten commandments, then, as five laws with reference to the vertical axis and five commandments with reference to the horizontal axis.

Second layer. The second layer or level of understanding is that these ten commandments are really five commandments, in that the first five relate in some way to the second five. Let's go through some of them.

1st and 6th commandments. The first commandment and the sixth. How are they related? They read as follows:

Exodus 20:2-3: I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

Exodus 20:13: You shall not murder.

Now, how does not having other gods before Yahweh relate to "you shall not murder"? Think of it this way. Suppose you have a neighbor called "George". And George is always giving you grief. To the point where you start thinking, life would be better if George were not around. And you start thinking of ways to get rid of George. Even murder comes to mind.

Now let's think about the first commandment. Yahweh is the true God. We should not have any other gods. But what if you don't like God being around. You would rather that He be not present. You detest Him intruding in your life. You would as soon be rid of Him. If given the power, you would even consider dethroning God and putting yourself in His place. This is what Satan was tempted to do. "I will ascend above the Most High."

You can see the similarity between these two commandments. The deeper meaning is the acknowledgement of our Creator and Redeemer in the first commandment, and the acknowledgement of our responsibility as stewards of the things God has created. Chiefly, the creation of Man. Rather than wanting to get rid of God and man, and live our own selfish lived, we acknowledge our Creator and our duty as stewards of His Creation. We manifest respect, honor, make "heavy", and ultimate love.

2nd and 7th commandment. They read as follows:

Exodus 20:4-6: You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

Exodus 20:14: You shall not commit adultery.

How do not worshipping idols in the second commandment relate to not committing adultery in the seventh commandment? They are related in a number of ways. There is reference to jealousy in the second commandment, which is also implicitly found in committing adultery. There is reference to idolatry affecting the third and fourth generation, which is also implicit in committing adultery. There is also this notion of making a false image of God. When it comes to adultery, the adulterer breaks the marriage covenant which is symbolic of God's covenant with mankind, specifically the church in the New Testament. So, you see how the second and seventh commandments are related in several ways.

3rd and 8th commandment. We'll do one more. The third and eighth commandments read as follows:

Exodus 20:7: You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

Exodus 20:15: You shall not steal.

The Hebrew word for "take" is nasa' (#H5375 - nasa') and can mean: to take up, to lift, bear up, carry, support, sustain, bear continously. The same word is used of the high priest when he wore the breastplate containing the 12 stones which represented the 12 tribes of Israel.

Exodus 28:12: And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance.

To take up the name, or to bear up the name, meant to represent the name of Yahweh. The Israelites were to not carry the name of Yahweh in a vain manner. It came to represent not swearing falsely, but there is a deeper meaning here. The name of Yahweh represents His character and reputation.

To steal was to carry away someone's possessions. The worst form of stealing was kidnapping. The punishment for kidnapping in the law of Moses was death. It was the worse form of stealing, because you were taking a person's freedom away with the intent of profiting from them by either making them a slave or getting a ransom.

The relationship of bearing the name of Yahweh in vain and bearing away a person's possessions and/or his person is there. You are not to carry God's name in vain and your are not to carry away your neighbor's identity (his person, his possessions) in vain.

Third layer. For lack of time, we will move on to a third layer of understanding with regard to the 10 commandments. And this third layer is the deepest. It is summing up the first set as love to God and the second set as love to man. Love being the basis of the 10 commandments. It is found in the Old Testament, but Jesus made it very explicit.

Matthew 22:35-40: And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

The law is relational. It is based on love. Love to God and love for man. This is the basis of virtue, of moral excellence, of purity. This will be evident in the remnant people at the end of time. They will both have the faith of Jesus and they will have a heart of pure gold. They will love God and man in the purest of forms, as God's commandments teach. They will keep the commandments of God.

Notes

#482 - Father, Lead Me Day by Day.

#316 – Live Out Thy Life Within Me.