Uncommon Virtue

“Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue…” ~2 Peter 1:5

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (1885-1966) was Commander of the Pacific Fleet during WWII. In an interview conducted on March 16, 1945, Nimitz said of those fighting in the Pacific campaign, “Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” An uncommon level of valor, or bravery, was the order of the day for those soldiers, sailors, and Marines who were fighting on Iwo Jima. What’s most interesting about his quote is not that uncommon valor became common — we expect that from our nation’s fighting forces, especially in times of hard-fought war. What’s noteworthy is that he calls their bravery a virtue. What does this word mean?

Virtue (the Greek word areté) typically means excellence of character, or moral goodness. Nimitz probably meant the former. In other words, uncommon bravery was part and parcel of the character displayed by our nation’s young men in war. But Peter was writing in the ancient Greco-Roman world, where the word areté also had to do with one’s dedication to the gods. In fact, it has been argued by some commentators that areté is part of the warp and woof of one who has taken on the traits of his or her god. In other words, as a man or woman is conformed into the image of his or her god, he or she becomes virtuous — god-like. Can we see how Peter is drawing upon the language of his cultural context to encourage what Paul elsewhere refers to as being “conformed to the image of [Jesus]” (Romans 8:29)?

What Peter is saying is that one who has faith will begin to look more and more like God in character. Of course, this does not mean that we will achieve a divine status (as per some pseudo-Christian cults), or that we will reach a state of sinless perfection in this life (as per some actual Christian denominations); rather, he means to convey that Christians will reflect a Christ-like character more and more in their daily lives. This, says Peter, is virtue — excellence of character, or moral goodness — as a reflection of God’s excellent character and goodness.

Peter goes on to describe the virtuous Christian in greater detail in verses 6-7. He or she is one who is full of the knowledge of God — like Christ (Luke 2:52); one who is self-controlled — like Christ (1 Peter 2:23); one who is steadfast and faithful — like Christ (2 Timothy 2:13); one who is godly and full of affection for his friends and who overflows with selfless love — all like Christ (John 4:34; 15:13; 13:1). This is emblematic of Christ-like character, of virtue.

So let me ask in closing: would Chester Nimitz say of your life, “Uncommon Christ-likeness is common in this Christian’s life”? I hope so.

Rev. Kyle Lockhart, Associate Pastor