Original Word: ἀρετή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: areté
Pronunciation: ah-reh-TAY
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-et'-ay)
Definition: Virtue, excellence, moral goodness
Meaning: goodness, a gracious act, virtue, uprightness.

praise, virtue.

From the same as arrhen; properly, manliness (valor), i.e. Excellence (intrinsic or attributed) -- praise, virtue.

see GREEK arrhen

703 arétē – properly, virtue ("moral excellence") which is displayed to enrich life.

Word Origin
of uncertain origin
Definition
moral goodness, i.e. virtue
NASB Translation
excellence (2), excellencies (1), moral excellence (2).

STRONGS NT 703: ἀρετή

ἀρετή, ἀρετῆς, ἡ (see ἄρα at the beginning), a word of very wide signification in Greek writings; any excellence of a person (in body or mind) or of a thing, an eminent endowment, property or quality. Used of the human mind and in an ethical sense, it denotes:

1. a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action; virtue, moral goodness (Wis. 4:1 Wis. 5:13; often in 4 Macc. and in Greek writings): 2 Peter 1:5 (others take it here specifically, viz. moral vigor; cf. next entry).

2. any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity; hence (plural αἱ ἀρεταί, Wis. 8:7; often in 4 Macc. and in the Greek philosophers) τίς ἀρετή, Philippians 4:8. Used of God, it denotes a. his power: 2 Peter 1:3.

b. in the plural his excellences, perfections, 'which shine forth in our gratuitous calling and in the whole work of our salvation' (John Gerhard): 1 Peter 2:9. (In the Sept. for הוד splendor, glory, Habakkuk 3:3, of God; Zechariah 6:13, of the Messiah; in plural for תְּהִלּות praises, of God, Isaiah 43:21; Isaiah 42:12; Isaiah 63:7.)

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek root ἀρέσκω (areskō), meaning "to please" or "to be pleasing."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἀρετή, the concept of virtue and moral excellence can be related to several Hebrew terms that convey similar ideas, such as צֶדֶק (tsedeq, Strong's 6664) meaning "righteousness," and טוֹב (tov, Strong's 2896) meaning "good" or "goodness." These terms reflect the ethical and moral standards found in the Old Testament, which align with the New Testament call to virtue and godliness.

Usage: In the New Testament, ἀρετή is used to describe the moral excellence and virtuous character expected of believers. It is often associated with the qualities that reflect the nature of God and the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life.

Context: The Greek term ἀρετή appears in the New Testament to emphasize the moral and ethical standards that Christians are called to uphold. It is found in key passages that outline the characteristics of a life transformed by faith in Christ. In 2 Peter 1:3, it is stated, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (ἀρετή)." Here, ἀρετή is linked to the divine nature and the calling of believers to reflect God's character.

Furthermore, in 2 Peter 1:5, believers are exhorted to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue (ἀρετή); and to virtue, knowledge." This passage highlights the progressive nature of spiritual growth, where virtue is foundational to developing other Christian qualities. The use of ἀρετή in this context underscores the importance of moral integrity and the pursuit of holiness as integral to the Christian life.

The concept of ἀρετή is not limited to personal morality but extends to the community of believers, encouraging them to live in a manner that honors God and serves as a witness to the world. It reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, which enables believers to live out the virtues that are pleasing to God.

αρετας αρετάς ἀρετὰς αρετη αρετή ἀρετὴ ἀρετῇ αρετην αρετήν ἀρετήν αρετης αρετής ἀρετῆς aretas aretàs arete aretē aretḕ aretêi aretē̂i areten aretēn aretḗnInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts