The term "excels" is not directly found as a standalone word in the Bible; however, the concept of excelling, or surpassing in quality, virtue, or achievement, is a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures. The idea of excelling is often associated with the pursuit of godliness, wisdom, and love, as well as the call to live a life that honors God.

Biblical Context and Themes

1. Excellence in Love and Spiritual Gifts: The Apostle Paul, in his letters to the early churches, frequently encourages believers to excel in love and spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 12:31, Paul writes, "But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you a way that is beyond comparison." This passage introduces the famous "love chapter" (1 Corinthians 13), where love is described as the greatest of all virtues. Paul emphasizes that love excels all other gifts and is the most excellent way for believers to live.

2. Excelling in Good Works: The New Testament encourages Christians to excel in good works as a reflection of their faith. In 2 Corinthians 8:7, Paul commends the Corinthians, saying, "But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving." Here, excelling in generosity is highlighted as an important aspect of Christian living.

3. Pursuit of Wisdom: The pursuit of wisdom is another area where the concept of excelling is evident. Proverbs 4:7 states, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." The pursuit of wisdom is portrayed as an endeavor that surpasses all others, urging believers to seek wisdom diligently.

4. Moral and Ethical Excellence: The call to moral and ethical excellence is a recurring theme in the Bible. Philippians 1:9-10 says, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." Here, Paul prays for the Philippians to excel in love and discernment, leading to a life of purity and blamelessness.

5. Excelling in Faith: Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Hall of Fame," highlights individuals who excelled in faith. Their lives serve as examples of how faith can lead to extraordinary achievements and a closer relationship with God. The chapter underscores that faith is a key area where believers are called to excel.

Practical Application

The concept of excelling in the Christian life is not about competition or self-promotion but about striving to live in a manner that reflects the character of Christ. Believers are encouraged to pursue excellence in their spiritual lives, relationships, and service to others, always seeking to glorify God in all they do. This pursuit is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who enables Christians to grow in love, wisdom, and good works, ultimately leading to a life that excels in honoring God.3504. yithron -- advantage, profit
... Word Origin from yathar Definition advantage, profit NASB Word Usage advantage
(5), excels (2), profit (3). better, excellent, profitable. ...
/hebrew/3504.htm - 6k

Whether Fortitude Excels among all Other virtues?
... TREATISE ON FORTITUDE AND TEMPERANCE (QQ -170) cOF FORTITUDE (TWELVE ARTICLES)
Whether fortitude excels among all other virtues? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fortitude excels among all.htm

Remembering How Far the Writer of Our Book Excels all who have ...
... CHAPTER VI. Remembering how far the writer of our book excels all who
have ever come after? Remembering how far the writer of ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter vi remembering how far.htm

That in that virtue in which Regulus Excels Cato, Christians are ...
... The City of God.Book I. Chapter 24."That in that Virtue in Which Regulus
Excels Cato, Christians are Pre-Eminently Distinguished. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 24 that in that virtue.htm

John Chapter v. 20-23
... think it. For that divinity excels us, as God excels men, as the immortal
excels a mortal, as the eternal excels the temporal. May ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxi john chapter v.htm

Whether Temperance is the Greatest of the virtues?
... 2: Since virtue is about the difficult and the good, the excellence of a virtue
is considered more under the aspect of good, wherein justice excels, than under ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether temperance is the greatest.htm

Whether the Excellence of the Person Sinning Aggravates the Sin?
... First, because a more excellent person, eg one who excels in knowledge and virtue,
can more easily resist sin; hence Our Lord said (Lk.12:47) that the "servant ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the excellence of the.htm

Whether He that is Appointed to the Episcopate Ought to be Better ...
... Vilissimus I, qu.1): "A man is of very little worth who though excelling in dignity,
excels not in knowledge and holiness." Now he who excels in knowledge and ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether he that is appointed.htm

Whether the Intellectual Principle is United to the Body as Its ...
... But we must observe that the nobler a form is, the more it rises above corporeal
matter, the less it is merged in matter, and the more it excels matter by its ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the intellectual principle is.htm

God is Above the Mind.
... are made, in order that he may know Him by whom they are made, we have now advanced
so far as to His image, which is man, in that wherein he excels the other ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 1 god is above the.htm

Second Suggestion Continued.
... natural instinct, rightly holds this opinion, that that is called God to which nothing
can be compared or equalled, but which exceeds all and excels all; how ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxii second suggestion continued.htm

Excels (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Excels (1 Occurrence). Ecclesiastes 2:13 Then I saw that
wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/e/excels.htm - 6k

Excelling (3 Occurrences)

/e/excelling.htm - 7k

Excellence (31 Occurrences)
... superiority in virtue. 2. (n.) An excellent or valuable quality; that by
which any one excels or is eminent; a virtue. 3. (n.) A ...
/e/excellence.htm - 15k

Abiathar (29 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Father of abundance, or my father excels, the
son of Ahimelech the high priest. He was the tenth high ...
/a/abiathar.htm - 29k

Folly (68 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Ecclesiastes 2:13 Then I saw
that wisdom excels folly, as far as light excels darkness. ...
/f/folly.htm - 39k

Horse (62 Occurrences)
... The horse excels in strength, speed, docility, courage, and nobleness of character,
and is used for drawing, carrying, bearing a rider, and like purposes. ...
/h/horse.htm - 37k

Except (236 Occurrences)

/e/except.htm - 35k

Commentaries
... for I affirm that he excels beyond comparison in the interpretation of Scripture,
and that his commentaries ought to be more highly valued than all that is ...
/c/commentaries.htm - 57k

Galatians (2 Occurrences)
... Roman indeed carries out the argument with greater breadth and theoretic completeness;
but Galatians excels in pungency, incisiveness, and debating force. ...
/g/galatians.htm - 43k

Second (2060 Occurrences)
... but entirely through God, who alone has made him an efficient minister of the new
and abiding covenant of the Spirit, whose glory naturally excels that of the ...
/s/second.htm - 96k

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