Definition and Context
Excelling refers to surpassing others or being exceptionally good at something. In a biblical context, excelling is often associated with spiritual growth, moral excellence, and the pursuit of godly virtues. The Bible encourages believers to strive for excellence in their faith, conduct, and service to God and others.

Biblical References

1. Spiritual Growth and Maturity
The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to grow in their faith and excel in their spiritual lives. In Philippians 1:9-10 , Paul prays, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ." Here, excelling is linked to increasing in love, knowledge, and discernment.

2. Moral Excellence
The call to moral excellence is a recurring theme in Scripture. In 2 Peter 1:5-7 , Peter urges believers 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 passage outlines a progression of virtues that believers are to cultivate, emphasizing the importance of excelling in moral character.

3. Service and Good Works
Excelling in service and good works is another aspect of biblical teaching. In 1 Corinthians 15:58 , Paul encourages the Corinthians, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." This verse highlights the importance of dedication and excellence in serving God.

4. Generosity
Excelling in generosity is commended in the New Testament. In 2 Corinthians 8:7 , Paul writes, "But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving." Here, excelling is associated with the grace of giving, indicating that generosity is a virtue to be pursued with excellence.

5. Love
The greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is to love God and love others (Matthew 22:37-39). Excelling in love is a central tenet of Christian life. In 1 Thessalonians 3:12 , Paul prays, "May the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows." This prayer reflects the desire for believers to excel in love, which is foundational to Christian ethics.

Theological Implications

Excelling in the Christian life is not about achieving perfection through human effort but about growing in grace and reflecting the character of Christ. It involves a continuous process of sanctification, where believers are transformed by the Holy Spirit to live lives that honor God. The pursuit of excellence is motivated by a desire to glorify God and serve others, rather than seeking personal acclaim or recognition.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to pursue excellence in all areas of life, whether in their personal conduct, relationships, work, or ministry. This pursuit involves diligence, discipline, and a commitment to living according to biblical principles. By excelling in these areas, Christians can be effective witnesses for Christ and contribute positively to their communities and the world.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Excel.

Love Divine, all Loves Excelling
... Love divine, all loves excelling. 8.7.8.7 D. [875]Love Divine (Le Jeune): ... Edward
J. Hopkins (1818-1901). Charles Wesley, 1747. Love divine, all loves excelling,. ...
/.../sundays after trinity the divine.htm

How Much the Platonists are to be Held as Excelling Other ...
... Book VIII. Chapter 7."How Much the Platonists are to Be Held as Excelling
Other Philosophers in Logic, ie Rational Philosophy. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 7 how much the platonists.htm

Whether Thankfulness is a Special virtue, Distinct from Other ...
... Accordingly, since what we owe God, or our father, or a person excelling in dignity,
is not the same as what we owe a benefactor from whom we have received ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether thankfulness is a special.htm

On Genesis.
... Reuben, my first-born, thou art my strength, and the sum of my sorrow: excelling
in dignity and excelling in might: thou hast been insensate as water; excel not ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on genesis.htm

Whether Honor Denotes Something Corporal?
... in human and corporal things can be greater than honor, since these corporal things
themselves are employed as signs in acknowledgment of excelling virtue. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether honor denotes something corporal.htm

Introductory to Proverbs viii. 22, that the Son is not a Creature. ...
... the rest on a comparison, still a creature He is nevertheless, as they are; since
in those which are by nature creatures one may find some excelling others. ...
/.../chapter xvi introductory to proverbs viii.htm

The Poets
... The hymn: Love Divine, all loves excelling,. Joy of heaven, to earth come down,. ...
Fairest Isle, all isles excelling,. Seat of pleasures and of loves; ...
/.../the hymns of methodism in their literary relations/chapter iii the poets.htm

Hymns of Christian Devotion and Experience.
... hymn. "LOVE DIVINE, ALL LOVES EXCELLING.". This evergreen song-wreath to
the Crucified, was contributed by Charles Wesley, in 1746. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter iii hymns of christian.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty
... other in appearance and customs, towns with crenellated walls perched upon heights
difficult of access; and finally, a civilization far excelling that which ...
/.../chapter iiithe eighteenth theban dynasty.htm

What is Meant by "Altogether Lovely"
... the universe: you will observe strength in one, beauty in a second, faithfulness
in a third, wisdom in a fourth; but you shall find none excelling in them all ...
/.../flavel/christ altogether lovely/what is meant by altogether.htm

Excelling (3 Occurrences)
...Excelling (3 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 12:31 and desire earnestly the better
gifts; and yet a far excelling way do I shew to you: (YLT). ...
/e/excelling.htm - 7k

Dignity (14 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:3 "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of
my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. ...
/d/dignity.htm - 11k

Pre-eminent (3 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Genesis 49:3 "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning
of my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. (See RSV). ...
/p/pre-eminent.htm - 7k

Preeminent (2 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:3 "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength;
excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. (See NAS). ...
/p/preeminent.htm - 7k

Firstborn (119 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:3 "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength;
excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. (WEB KJV DBY NAS NIV). ...
/f/firstborn.htm - 46k

Reuben (73 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:3 "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of
my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. ...
/r/reuben.htm - 46k

Honor (240 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Genesis 49:3 "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning
of my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. (See NIV). ...
/h/honor.htm - 37k

Strength (517 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:3 "Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of
my strength; excelling in dignity, and excelling in power. ...
/s/strength.htm - 38k

Overpowering (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overpower. 2. (a.) Excelling in power; too powerful;
irresistible. Multi-Version Concordance Overpowering (4 Occurrences). ...
/o/overpowering.htm - 7k

Excelleth (2 Occurrences)

/e/excelleth.htm - 6k

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