The term "virtuous" in the biblical context is often associated with moral excellence, righteousness, and adherence to God's commandments. It is a quality that is highly esteemed in Scripture, particularly in relation to character and conduct that align with God's will.

Old Testament References

The concept of virtue is prominently illustrated in the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 31:10-31 provides a detailed description of the "virtuous woman," often referred to as the "Proverbs 31 woman." This passage highlights various attributes of virtue, including diligence, wisdom, kindness, and fear of the Lord. The passage begins with, "A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies" (Proverbs 31:10). The virtuous woman is depicted as industrious, compassionate, and wise, managing her household with integrity and strength.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, virtue is closely linked with the fruit of the Spirit and the moral qualities expected of believers. The Apostle Peter emphasizes the importance of virtue in the Christian life, urging believers to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge" (2 Peter 1:5). This exhortation underscores the foundational role of virtue in spiritual growth and maturity.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of virtue in his letters. In Philippians 4:8, he encourages believers to focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, concluding with, "if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things" (Philippians 4:8). This passage highlights the importance of cultivating a virtuous mindset as part of the Christian walk.

Virtue in Christian Living

Virtue is not merely an abstract ideal but is meant to be lived out in practical ways. It encompasses qualities such as honesty, integrity, humility, and love, which are essential for reflecting Christ's character. The pursuit of virtue involves a conscious effort to align one's actions and thoughts with biblical principles, relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength.

The virtuous life is marked by a commitment to holiness and a desire to honor God in all aspects of life. It is a journey of transformation, where believers are continually being conformed to the image of Christ. As such, virtue is both a gift from God and a responsibility for believers to cultivate through prayer, study of Scripture, and active obedience to God's commands.1. (a.) Possessing or exhibiting virtue.

2. (a.) Exhibiting manly courage and strength; valorous; valiant; brave.

3. (a.) Having power or efficacy; powerfully operative; efficacious; potent.

4. (a.) Having moral excellence; characterized by morality; upright; righteous; pure; as, a virtuous action.

5. (a.) Chaste; pure; -- applied especially to women.

2887. kosmios -- orderly
... orderly. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: kosmios Phonetic Spelling:
(kos'-mee-os) Short Definition: orderly, virtuous Definition: orderly, virtuous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2887.htm - 7k

2570. kalos -- beautiful, good
... Of uncertain affinity; properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally
or morally), ie Valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2570.htm - 7k

3717. orthos -- straight, upright
... 3717 -- properly, straight (upright); (figuratively) morally-right; ("upright");
virtuous because forward (morally acceptable). See Heb 12:13. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3717.htm - 7k

17. agathopoios -- doing well.
... beneficent, doing good From agathos and poieo; a well-doer, ie Virtuous -- them
that do well. see GREEK agathos. see GREEK poieo. (agathopoion) -- 2 Occurrences ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/17.htm - 6k

2428. chayil -- strength, efficiency, wealth, army
... of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength,
strong, substance, train, (+)valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war ...
/hebrew/2428.htm - 6k

On what is Noble and virtuous, and what the Difference Between ...
... On what is noble and virtuous, and what the difference between them is? ... This is so
closely connected with what is virtuous, that one cannot separate the two. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xlv on what is.htm

How virtuous and Useful was that which Elisha Did. ...
... Book III. Chapter XIV. How virtuous and useful was that which Elisha
did.? How virtuous and useful was that which Elisha did. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xiv how virtuous and.htm

Whether Sorrow Can be a virtuous Good?
... OF THE GOODNESS AND MALICE OF SORROW OR PAIN (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether sorrow can
be a virtuous good? ... For that which leads to hell is not a virtuous good. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sorrow can be a.htm

With what virtuous Feelings the Fathers of Old Hid the Sacred ...
... Book III. Chapter XVII. With what virtuous feelings the fathers of old hid
the sacred fires when on the? With what virtuous feelings ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvii with what virtuous.htm

Whether Even virtuous Men Can be Ashamed?
... OF SHAMEFACEDNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether even virtuous men can be ashamed? Objection
1: It would seem that even virtuous men can be ashamed. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether even virtuous men can.htm

Whether Goodness is Rightly Divided into the virtuous*, the Useful ...
... OF GOODNESS IN GENERAL (SIX ARTICLES) Whether goodness is rightly divided
into the virtuous*, the useful and the pleasant? [*"Bonum ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether goodness is rightly divided.htm

The virtuous Love of Country.
... NATIONAL HYMNS. 845. " The Virtuous Love of Country. 845. CM Aspland's Coll.
The Virtuous Love of Country. 1 Parent of all, omnipotent! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/845 the virtuous love.htm

Whether virtuous Deeds done in Charity Can be Deadened?
... Whether virtuous deeds done in charity can be deadened? Objection 1: It would
seem that virtuous deeds done in charity cannot be deadened. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virtuous deeds done in.htm

How Valens Exiled the virtuous Bishops.
... Book IV. Chapter XII."How Valens exiled the virtuous bishops. At the very
time of the baptism of Valens Eudoxius bound the unhappy ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xii how valens exiled the.htm

Melanchthon -- the Safety of the virtuous
... MELANCHTHON " THE SAFETY OF THE VIRTUOUS. THE SAFETY OF THE VIRTUOUS. BIOGRAPHICAL
NOTE. ... MELANCHTHON 1497"1560. THE SAFETY OF THE VIRTUOUS. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/melanchthon the safety of.htm

Virtuous (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Having moral excellence; characterized by morality; upright; righteous;
pure; as, a virtuous action. ... Multi-Version Concordance Virtuous (5 Occurrences). ...
/v/virtuous.htm - 8k

Sirach
... A"); or simply Sophia Seirach (B), "The Wisdom of Sirach." The Fathers called it
either (as Euseb., etc.) he panaretos sophia, "the all virtuous wisdom," or ...
/s/sirach.htm - 34k

Virtues (1 Occurrence)

/v/virtues.htm - 6k

Virtuously (2 Occurrences)

/v/virtuously.htm - 7k

Virtue (21 Occurrences)
... The adjective "virtuous" occurs in the King James Version, the English Revised Version
Ruth 3:11 Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 31:10 (the American Standard Revised ...
/v/virtue.htm - 16k

Good (8348 Occurrences)
... troublesome, etc. 2. (superl.) Possessing moral excellence or virtue; virtuous;
pious; religious; -- said of persons or actions. 3. (superl ...
/g/good.htm - 26k

Worthy (92 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Having worth or excellence; possessing
merit; valuable; deserving; estimable; excellent; virtuous. ...
/w/worthy.htm - 35k

Idleness (4 Occurrences)
... 15 Ecclesiastes 10:18). The "virtuous woman" was one who would not eat
the "bread of idleness" (Proverbs 31:27). In Ezekiel 16:49 ...
/i/idleness.htm - 9k

Intelligent (47 Occurrences)
... Samuel 16:18 And one of the servants answereth and saith, 'Lo, I have seen a son
of Jesse the Beth-Lehemite, skilful in playing, and a mighty virtuous man, and ...
/i/intelligent.htm - 20k

Idle (33 Occurrences)
... 15 Ecclesiastes 10:18). The "virtuous woman" was one who would not eat
the "bread of idleness" (Proverbs 31:27). In Ezekiel 16:49 ...
/i/idle.htm - 18k

What should we learn from the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31? | GotQuestions.org

What is virtue ethics? | GotQuestions.org

Why is wisdom referred to as a she in Proverbs? | GotQuestions.org

Virtuous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus