1. Excellent Things

2. Introduction This lesson is a follow up to our earlier study of the Greek word arete, which is translated “virtue” or “moral excellence.” This lesson is a follow up to our earlier study of the Greek word arete, which is translated “virtue” or “moral excellence.” The term “excellent” occurs 15x in 15 Bible verses in the NASB. Today superlatives, such as “awesome” or “excellent,” have become overused slang expressions, and are robbed of their power. The term “excellent” occurs 15x in 15 Bible verses in the NASB. Today superlatives, such as “awesome” or “excellent,” have become overused slang expressions, and are robbed of their power.

3. Excellent Things Related to Deity Related to Deity Related to Mankind Related to Mankind

4. The Lord God/Jehovah The Lord is worthy of all praise, for his mighty needs and his excellent greatness (Psa. 150:1-6, esp. vs. 2). The Lord is worthy of all praise, for his mighty needs and his excellent greatness (Psa. 150:1-6, esp. vs. 2). Giving thanks to the Lord, the redeemed should call upon His name, proclaim His deeds among the peoples, praise Him in song, for He has done excellent things (Isa. 12:1-6, esp. vs. 5). Giving thanks to the Lord, the redeemed should call upon His name, proclaim His deeds among the peoples, praise Him in song, for He has done excellent things (Isa. 12:1-6, esp. vs. 5).

5. The Lord Jesus Christ Jesus is better than the angels, having inherited a more excellent name than they (Heb. 1:3-14, esp. vs. 4). Jesus is better than the angels, having inherited a more excellent name than they (Heb. 1:3-14, esp. vs. 4). He has also obtained a more excellent ministry, in as much as He is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises (Heb. 8:1-6, esp. vs. 6). He has also obtained a more excellent ministry, in as much as He is the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises (Heb. 8:1-6, esp. vs. 6).

6. The Lord’s Wisdom, Counsel & Knowledge By means of divine revelation, we have been entrusted with excellent counsel and knowledge (Prov. 22:17-21, esp. vs. 20). By means of divine revelation, we have been entrusted with excellent counsel and knowledge (Prov. 22:17-21, esp. vs. 20).

7. Political Rulers Political rulers should be honored because of their position (1 Pet. 2:13-17). Political rulers should be honored because of their position (1 Pet. 2:13-17). Such praise was expressed by Claudius Lysias, commander of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, as he addressed Felix, the ruling governor (Acts 23:23- 30, esp. vs. 3), by an attorney named Tertullus at Paul’s trial (Acts 24:1-9, esp. vs. 3), and by the apostle Paul himself, even though he had been personally insulted by Festus (Acts 26:24-29, esp. vs. 25). Such praise was expressed by Claudius Lysias, commander of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, as he addressed Felix, the ruling governor (Acts 23:23- 30, esp. vs. 3), by an attorney named Tertullus at Paul’s trial (Acts 24:1-9, esp. vs. 3), and by the apostle Paul himself, even though he had been personally insulted by Festus (Acts 26:24-29, esp. vs. 25).

8. Faithful Christians Luke wrote to “most excellent Theophilus,” so that he might know the exact truth of the things he had been taught (Luke 1:1-4, esp. vs. 3). Luke wrote to “most excellent Theophilus,” so that he might know the exact truth of the things he had been taught (Luke 1:1-4, esp. vs. 3). In discussing the supremacy of love over spiritual gifts, Paul set forth a more excellent way (1 Cor. 12:27-13:13, esp. vs 31). In discussing the supremacy of love over spiritual gifts, Paul set forth a more excellent way (1 Cor. 12:27-13:13, esp. vs 31).

9. Faithful Christians He prayed that the Macedonians might abound in love, knowledge and discernment, so that they might approve the things that are excellent (Phil. 1:9-11, esp. vs 10). He prayed that the Macedonians might abound in love, knowledge and discernment, so that they might approve the things that are excellent (Phil. 1:9-11, esp. vs 10). Abstaining from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul, disciples must keep their behavior excellent as they live among men, so that others might see their good works and glorify God (1 Pet. 2:11-12). Abstaining from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul, disciples must keep their behavior excellent as they live among men, so that others might see their good works and glorify God (1 Pet. 2:11-12).

10. Faithful Christians Wise men will communicate with excellent speech (Prov. 17:7). Wise men will communicate with excellent speech (Prov. 17:7). Similarly, an excellent wife is the crown of her husband (Prov. 12:4; 31:10-31). Similarly, an excellent wife is the crown of her husband (Prov. 12:4; 31:10-31).

11. Conclusion Let us be thankful for the excellent things from above, and things that are praiseworthy here below. Let us be thankful for the excellent things from above, and things that are praiseworthy here below. May we conduct ourselves in a way that values things of value. May we conduct ourselves in a way that values things of value.