Virtuous Virtue (Part 2): What Is Virtue and Why It Matters

In Part 1: What Is the Anointing, we explored the anointing, not as a mystical feeling or ceremonial act, but as God's empowerment given to fulfill a divine assignment. We learned that while the anointing sets us apart, it is not a badge of spiritual superiority. Its strength is revealed through our surrender, obedience, and willingness to serve. But there is another key element we cannot ignore. It is one thing to be chosen, another to be empowered, but how we carry that power matters. This brings us to a crucial companion to the anointing: virtue. Without virtue, the anointing risks becoming hollow, used for performance instead of transformation.

What Is Virtue?

The Bible does not leave us guessing when it comes to defining virtue. In 2 Peter 1:5, we are told to “add to your faith virtue.” The Greek word used there is “aretē,” which means excellence, strength of character, and moral courage. Virtue is not about trying to be flawless. By the way, some may think they need to be perfect in order to be saved. But salvation doesn’t depend on perfection. It rests on believing in the One who is perfect. Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” If being perfect was the requirement, then grace would be meaningless. Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He didn’t wait for us to be cleaned up. He stepped into our mess and offered mercy. So, virtue isn’t the ticket to salvation. It is the fruit that grows from walking with the Savior. It is about living in a way that reflects God's values and strengthens who we are on the inside.

Proverbs 31:10 calls the virtuous woman a treasure worth more than rubies. She is praised not for what she owns, but for her character. She is consistent, wise, and anchored. Her value isn’t found in public applause. It’s found in her daily devotion. Although Proverbs 31 primarily focuses on a woman, its principles are applicable to all of us. Integrity, discipline, and compassion are not gendered qualities. They are kingdom values.

Virtue in Proverbs 31

The word “virtuous” in Proverbs 31:10 comes from the Hebrew word “chayil,” which means strength, ability, efficiency, wealth, and even warrior-like valor. In the Greek Septuagint, the word also includes moral excellence. This expands our view. It’s not just about being capable. It’s about being principled. It’s about doing what is right, not just what works. Moral excellence keeps strength from becoming arrogance. It anchors influence in integrity.

The Proverbs 31 woman is not just a model of a good spouse. She’s an example of what happens when virtue is built over time. Her consistency produces strength. Her wisdom flows into kindness. Her discipline creates order. She honors God in how she carries herself, how she serves her family, and how she engages with the world. This isn’t about looking perfect. It’s about being true. Her private obedience is what gives weight to her public influence.

Some scholars interpret the Proverbs 31 woman symbolically as a reflection of the Church, with her husband representing Christ. Ephesians 5:25 draws this parallel, showing how the relationship between husband and wife mirrors that of Christ and the Church. From that view, her good works, her diligence, and her devotion show us what the Church is supposed to look like. Just as she blesses her household, the Church is meant to bless the world.

Recognizing both the literal and symbolic meanings helps us stay grounded. If we only apply the traits literally without the spiritual connection, we risk becoming busy but disconnected. If we only see the symbolism without personal application, we may admire the ideal but never become it. Both perspectives are necessary. They help us not just study virtue, but actually live it.

Virtue in Luke 8:43-48

In Luke 8:46, when Jesus says, “I felt virtue leave me,” the Greek word used is “dunamis,” which means power, strength, or miraculous energy. This is a different word than in Proverbs 31, but it gives us a fuller picture of what virtue can look like. In Proverbs, it is cultivated strength. In Luke, it is power ready to be released. Both are rooted in God’s presence and both reveal the value of character and faith.

When we turn to Luke 8, we find a very different kind of woman. She was not standing tall in a place of honor. She was on the ground, pressing her way through shame and sickness. She had been bleeding for twelve years. That meant she was considered unclean. People avoided her. She had spent all her money on doctors, and nothing worked. But something in her believed that Jesus could heal her. She didn’t wait for an invitation. She didn’t ask for attention. She reached out in faith and touched the hem of His garment. Jesus stopped and said, “Who touched me?” His disciples were confused because a crowd was all around Him. But Jesus knew this touch was different. He said, “I felt virtue leave me.”

Now, that word “virtue” here is also translated as “power.” He was not saying He lost something. He was saying He noticed something was activated. Her faith pulled on what was available. There was no long prayer. No ceremony. Just belief: she believed that she could be made whole. That faith unlocked the power that healed her. That’s what virtue does. It flows when it meets faith. Jesus didn't need to turn toward her for healing to happen. She turned toward Him. That’s the difference.

The Relationship Between Virtue and the Anointing

Virtue and anointing are not the same, but they work together. The anointing gives power for purpose. Virtue gives strength to carry it with integrity. You can be anointed and still not be trusted. But when virtue is present, people can feel safe around your gift. They can believe in the fruit, not just the fire. Anointing may open the door, but virtue keeps you standing when pressure hits. The woman with the issue of blood had no platform, but she had faith and persistence. That combination moved power.

Being Virtuous vs. Having Virtue

There is a difference between having a virtuous moment and living a virtuous life. Anyone can do a good deed occasionally. However, being virtuous means we have chosen a path and follow it consistently. Additionally, it means we value truth, even when it comes at a cost, and we seek wisdom before taking action. It shows up in how we talk to people, how we manage time, and how we treat those who can’t offer us anything in return. Virtue shines when no one is looking and still stands its ground. The woman in Luke 8 didn’t follow a religious formula. She didn’t wait for someone to say the right words over her. She acted on what she believed. Her story reminds us that God is not moved by tradition. He is moved by trust. Faith unlocks what formality can only imitate. She wasn’t trying to impress anyone. She just wanted to be made whole. And that desire, rooted in faith, changed everything. Sometimes we think we need to earn a miracle. But God responds to faith, not performance.

Let's return to the Proverbs 31 woman. If the Proverbs 31 woman is also symbolic of the Church, then this carries even more weight. The Church is not only called to carry virtue in moments but to become a reflection of virtue itself. The Church, like the woman, is meant to be strong, wise, and faithful—not only in what it says, but in what it does. In this light, virtue becomes the lens through which the Church reflects Christ to the world. Her actions bless her household just as the Church is meant to bless the world. Her excellence, rooted in integrity and service, is what gives credibility to her influence. The Church must not only preach holiness, but it must live it. And just like her, when the Church embraces both strength and surrender, it becomes trustworthy in its witness.

So, virtue matters because it gives the anointing a place to live. Without it, the gift becomes a show. But with virtue, the gift becomes a tool for healing, truth, and hope. Virtue shapes how we handle favor, how we respond to correction, and how we treat the people we serve. It matters because people are watching. It matters because it honors God. And it matters because without it, we may end up building platforms that our character can’t support.

Conclusion

Virtue does not replace the anointing. It carries, steadies, and protects it. The anointing equips us for the assignment, but virtue shapes how we walk it out. When we look at both the woman with the issue of blood and the Proverbs 31 woman, we see that faith and character are not separate from power; they are what give it direction and credibility. God is not just looking for gifted people. He is looking for those who are grounded, surrendered, and trustworthy. Virtue is what keeps our gifts from becoming empty performances. It reminds us who we are and who we represent. The anointing may open doors, but it is virtue that keeps us standing once we walk through them. Learning about anointing and virtue shows us how much we have overcomplicated our walk with God. In its simplicity, we love like God and live like Jesus. And in doing so, we show the world that with God, all things are possible, forgiveness is available to all mankind, and that anyone can change and experience a relationship with God. Remember, what God gives to you is for the benefit of others.