The Bible has a lot to say about virtue and living a virtuous life. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses that discuss virtue:
Proverbs 31:10-31 – The Virtuous Wife
This famous passage describes the character qualities of a virtuous wife. She is trustworthy, industrious, wise, kind, strong, dignified, and cares for her family and the poor. Her virtue is described as being worth far more than rubies.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)
Philippians 4:8 – Think on These Things
Paul instructs us to fill our minds with purity and excellence by thinking on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)
2 Peter 1:5-8 – Make Every Effort
Peter exhorts us to make every effort to grow in godly virtues such as faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Doing so will keep us effective and fruitful in our knowledge of Jesus.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (2 Peter 1:5-7)
Galatians 5:22-23 – The Fruit of the Spirit
Paul describes the character qualities produced in us by the Holy Spirit. These virtues include love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Colossians 3:12-14 – Clothe Yourselves
We are instructed to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love. These virtues reflect the character of God and should be the garments we “put on” as followers of Christ.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Colossians 3:12-14)
James 3:13-18 – Wisdom from Above
True wisdom from God is characterized by qualities like purity, peace, gentleness, reasonableness, mercy and good fruits. Wisdom rooted in selfish ambition or envy results in disorder and evil practices.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:17-18)
1 Timothy 4:8 – Train Yourself in Godliness
Paul reminds Timothy that physical training provides some benefit, but godliness (training in virtue and Christ-likeness) benefits us in every way, holding promise for this life and the next.
For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)
Titus 2:11-14 – Grace Teaches Us
The grace of God trains us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this age. As we wait for Christ’s return, we should zealously pursue righteous deeds and purity.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age (Titus 2:11-12)
Micah 6:8 – What Does The Lord Require?
When asking what God expects of us, Micah answers that we are to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. These virtues summarize our duty before God.
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
Matthew 5:1-12 – The Beatitudes
In the Beatitudes, Jesus commends virtues such as humility, meekness, righteousness, mercy, purity of heart and peacemaking. Those who live out these virtues are blessed and inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:8-9)
These are just a few of the many passages in Scripture that address the importance of pursuing virtue and Christ-like character. Some key virtues emphasized include wisdom, integrity, diligence, patience, kindness, self-control, humility, love and righteousness. We are called not just to believe rightly, but to live uprightly through the empowering grace of God.
The Bible makes it clear that the cultivation of virtue and godly character is essential to the Christian life. We were saved to become like Christ and to shine as lights in the world (Matthew 5:14-16, Romans 8:29). Therefore, we must devote ourselves wholeheartedly to the pursuit of virtue, moral excellence, and the fruit of the Spirit.
Our motivation for virtue starts with the Gospel. We walk in holiness out of worshipful gratitude for God’s mercy shown to us in Christ (Colossians 3:12-17). We also aim to bring glory and pleasure to God by obeying His will and reflecting His holy character (1 Peter 2:9-12). Additionally, we wish to adorn the Gospel and make it attractive to others by our upright conduct (Titus 2:11-14).
The Bible gives us not only motivation, but clear guidance on what virtues to pursue. We are provided comprehensive ethical instruction and wisdom to equip us for righteous living that honors God and serves others (2 Timothy 3:16-17, James 1:5-8). Additionally, we have the ongoing help of the Holy Spirit who produces His fruit in us as we submit to His leading (Galatians 5:16-26).
By God’s grace, the believer is empowered to grow in Christ-like character qualities such as:
- Love – sincerely seeking the good of others (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
- Joy – delighting in God and the blessings He gives (Psalm 16:11)
- Peace – resting in God’s control amidst life’s storms (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Patience – bearing with others in love (Ephesians 4:2)
- Kindness – caring for others generously (Ephesians 4:32)
- Goodness – promoting what is right and noble (Romans 12:9)
- Faithfulness – being dependable and trustworthy (Proverbs 20:6)
- Gentleness – engaging others humbly and tenderly (Philippians 4:5)
- Self-control – pursuing holiness and restraint (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
- Hope – eagerly awaiting God’s promises (Romans 5:1-5)
- Courage – enduring opposition with trust in God (Joshua 1:9)
- Humility – esteeming others above self (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Wisdom – applying truth rightly (Proverbs 1:7)
This lifelong process of sanctification requires commitment and effort. We must cultivate spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, fellowship, worship, fasting and service. We also need the support and encouragement of other believers to spur us on to holiness and Christ-likeness in community (Hebrews 10:19-25).
In a culture often obsessed with self-fulfillment, the biblical emphasis on virtue provides a much-needed correction. We were not saved by grace to then live self-indulgent lives, but to honor God with our character, conduct and conversation. When we make diligent effort to grow in virtue empowered by the Spirit, we live out God’s purpose for our redemption in this world.
The ultimate hope as we pursue virtue is that one day we will see Christ face-to-face, and become like Him perfectly and fully (1 John 3:2-3). Until then, we strive to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, bearing fruit in righteousness and bringing glory to God (Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:9-10).