VIRTUE. This Word is very equivocal. It is used, first, for that Virtue which makes us acceptable both to God and Man, and which answers to the Greek Word Arete. Secondly, for Power, Valour, and agrees with the Greek Word Dynamis. Thirdly, for a Miracle, or a supernatural Power. Fourthly, for the Cœlestial Powers or Virtues. We shall give Examples of these several Significations.
First, Virtue, in the Sense of a moral Virtue, is rarely found in Scripture. I know no Hebrew Word that answers to it in this Sense; and even Arete, which the Greeks use to express Moral Virtue by, is often put to signify Force or Strength in the New Testament. For instance, 1 Pet. ii. 9. Ut virtutes annuncietis ejus, qui de tenebris vos vocavit. The Greek Word Aretas plainly in this Place signifies Power; as also 2 Pet. i. 3. Qui vocavit nos propria gloria & virtute. But at the fifth Verse of the same Chapter, Virtus is used for Virtue: Ministrate in fide vestra virtutem, in virtute autem scientiam.
Secondly, nothing is more common in the Old and New Testament, than the Word Virtue, for Power, Valour, Strength, Army. This Term answers to the Hebrew Words,a On, Ail, Geburah, Chail, Coach, and to the Greek Words Dynamis and Arete, Ruth iii. 11. Scit omnis populus mulierem te esse virtutis: A Woman of Courage, a stout Woman. And 2 Chron. ix. 5. In manu tua virtus & potentia: Strength and Power are within your Hands. Judith ii. 7. Virtus Assyriorum, the Armies of the Assyrians. 1 Macc. i. 4. Congregavit virtutem, he assembled an Army, he got Forces together.
Rom. viii. 38.Thirdly, Virtue is put for Miracles. Matth. vii. 22. Nonne in nomine tuo virtutes multas fecimus? Have we not wrought many Wonders in your Name? And xiii. 58. Non fecit ibi virtutes multas: And Acts xix. 11. Virtutes non quaslibet faciebat Deus per manum Pauli.
Lastly, the Word Virtue, Virtutes, is put to signify the Heavenly Host, or Powers: Thus St. Paul: Certus sum quia neque virtutes, neque instantia, neque futura---neque creatura alia poterit nos separare à 1 Pet. iii. 22.charitate Dei. And St. Peter, Jesus Christ ascending into Heaven, has subdued to his Majesty, the Angels, the Powers, and the Virtues.