In the context of the Bible, "excellences" refers to the virtues, moral qualities, and attributes that reflect the character of God and are to be emulated by believers. The concept of excellences is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing the pursuit of holiness, righteousness, and godly living.

Divine Excellences

The excellences of God are often highlighted in Scripture, showcasing His perfect nature and attributes. These divine excellences include His holiness, love, justice, mercy, omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. In 1 Peter 2:9 , believers are called to "proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This verse underscores the responsibility of Christians to reflect and declare the praiseworthy attributes of God.

Moral and Ethical Excellences

The Bible encourages believers to cultivate moral and ethical excellences in their lives. In Philippians 4:8 , Paul exhorts the church: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things." This passage highlights the importance of focusing on virtuous qualities and allowing them to shape one's thoughts and actions.

Excellences in Christian Character

Christian character is marked by the development of spiritual excellences, often referred to as the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 lists these attributes: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." These qualities are the result of the Holy Spirit's work in the life of a believer, reflecting the moral excellences that align with God's character.

Excellences in Service and Ministry

The pursuit of excellences extends to service and ministry within the body of Christ. Believers are encouraged to use their gifts and talents to serve others with excellence, as seen in Colossians 3:23-24 : "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." This passage emphasizes the importance of serving with diligence and integrity, recognizing that all work is ultimately for the glory of God.

Excellences in Witness and Evangelism

The call to proclaim God's excellences is also a call to witness and evangelism. In Matthew 5:16 , Jesus instructs His followers: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." The excellences of a believer's life serve as a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel, drawing others to Christ.

Excellences in Perseverance and Faith

The pursuit of excellences is closely tied to perseverance and faith. In 2 Peter 1:5-7 , believers are urged to "make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love." This progression of virtues illustrates the dynamic and ongoing nature of spiritual growth and maturity.

Throughout Scripture, the theme of excellences serves as a reminder of the high calling of believers to reflect the character of God in every aspect of their lives. By pursuing these virtues, Christians bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and bring glory to God.

Words Cannot Describe the Excellences of Martin.
... Martin. Chapter XXVI. Words cannot describe the Excellences of Martin. But now
my book must be brought to an end, and my discourse finished. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xxvi words cannot describe.htm

Thy Kingdom Come
... reflection; by Christ's kingdom the issue of words of salvation to their hearers
and the practice of acts of righteousness and the other excellences; for the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xv thy kingdom come.htm

Of the Sacred Complacency of Love; and First of what it Consists.
... that immensity of goods which are in God, either all together by assembling all
the perfections, or in particular by considering his excellences one after ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i of the sacred.htm

That the Divine Perfections are Only a Single but Infinite ...
... him; for according to our various considerations we name him variously, even as
though he had a great multitude of different excellences and perfections. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i that the divine.htm

If You are Willing to Hear Our Conclusions, Then Learn that we are ...
... we are so far from attributing bodily shape to the Deity, that we fear to ascribe
to so great a being even mental graces, and the very excellences by which a ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/19 if you are willing.htm

That There Is, Then, a Word of God, and a Breath of God...
... For this end he has been furnished with life, with thought, with skill, and with
all the excellences that we attribute to God, in order that by each of them he ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter v that there is.htm

Gregory Then Makes an Explanation at Length Touching the Eternal ...
... And if these things had no existence they must certainly conceive the bosom
of the Father to have been devoid of such excellences. ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 gregory then makes.htm

Answer to Objections: He who Prays Prays not Alone
... the worthy through a mirror and in a riddle for the present, is then revealed face
to face not to think that the like is true of all other excellences as well ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter vi answer to objections .htm

The Slave's Girdle
... that annihilates our pride. Think of Jesus as our pattern; how that kills
our satisfaction in little excellences! If you get high ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the slaves girdle.htm

With and Like Christ
... God would have them to be, is to direct the greater part of their effort, not so
much to the acquirement of individual characteristics and excellences, as to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/with and like christ.htm

Excellences (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Excellences (1 Occurrence). 1 Peter 2:9 and ye
'are' a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a ...
/e/excellences.htm - 6k

Excellence (31 Occurrences)

/e/excellence.htm - 15k

Wondrous (41 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:9 and ye 'are' a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
acquired, that the excellences ye may shew forth of Him who out of darkness ...
/w/wondrous.htm - 18k

Excellencies (1 Occurrence)

/e/excellencies.htm - 7k

Moderately (1 Occurrence)
... Latin Bible, 390-405 AD) translations it in 2 Corinthians 10:1) a third; but the
word is wanting which should set forth all these excellences reconciled in a ...
/m/moderately.htm - 10k

Proud (96 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Possessing or showing too great self-esteem; overrating one's
excellences; hence, arrogant; haughty; lordly; presumptuous. ...
/p/proud.htm - 33k

Bless (174 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To guard; to keep; to protect. 7. (vt) To praise, or glorify; to extol for
excellences. 8. (vt) To esteem or account happy; to felicitate. ...
/b/bless.htm - 46k

Constellation (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) An assemblage of splendors or excellences. 3. (n.) Fortune; fate; destiny.
Multi-Version Concordance Constellation (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/constellation.htm - 7k

Acquired (32 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:9 and ye 'are' a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
acquired, that the excellences ye may shew forth of Him who out of darkness ...
/a/acquired.htm - 16k

Choice (113 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:9 and ye 'are' a choice race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
acquired, that the excellences ye may shew forth of Him who out of darkness ...
/c/choice.htm - 38k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus