Biblical Character Traits for Spiritual Usefulness
The biblical character traits that contribute to spiritual usefulness are multifaceted and rooted in scripture. According to 2 Peter 1:8, possessing qualities such as faith, goodness, and self-control renders one neither ineffective nor unproductive in the knowledge of Jesus Christ [7, 9]. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights several key traits, including humility, which is necessary for serving God and is exemplified in Christ (Mic 6:8; Mt 11:29; Php 2:5-8) [1].
Other essential character traits include being attentive to Christ's voice, blameless, bold, contrite, devout, faithful, and fearing God [2]. These characteristics are not merely moral virtues but are deeply connected to one's relationship with God. For instance, devotedness to God is grounded in His mercies, goodness, and call, and should be unreserved and abounding [6].
The character of Christ serves as a model for these traits, demonstrating holiness, righteousness, faithfulness, and meekness [4]. The pursuit of holiness is commanded in scripture (Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8) and is a hallmark of those elected by God (Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4) [3]. Hospitality is another important trait, required especially of ministers, and is a test of Christian character [5].
In the view of Protestant academics, spiritual maturity is characterized by the ability to discern right from wrong, as seen in Hebrews 5:14 [10]. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Charles Hodge, emphasizes that character is shaped by nature, not just origin, and that certain traits can be deeply ingrained [11]. In contrast, the Jewish tradition, as represented by Maimonides, warns against certain negative traits, such as gossip and quick-temperedness, which can lead to continued sin [12].
The development of these character traits is not merely a human effort but is facilitated by the Spirit of Christ working in believers' hearts, as noted in Philippians 1:11 [13, 14]. Ultimately, the cultivation of these traits is essential for spiritual usefulness and for bringing glory and praise to God.
The biblical emphasis on character traits underscores their significance in the life of believers. As Psalm 17:15 expresses, the righteous look forward to seeing God's face and being satisfied with His presence [8].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Character of Saints — Attentive to Christ's voice -- Joh 10:3,4. Blameless and harmless -- Php 2:15. Bold -- Pr 28:1; Ro 13:3. Contrite -- Isa 57:15; 66:2. Devout -- Ac 8:2; 22:12. Faithful -- Re 17:14. Fearing God -- Mt 3:16; Ac 10:2. Following Christ -- Joh 10:4,27. Godly -- Ps 4:3; 2Pe 2:9. Guileless -- Joh 1:47. Holy -- De 7:6; 14:2; Col 3:12. Humble -- Ps 34:2; 1Pe 5:5. Hungering after righteousness -- Mt 5:6. Just -- Ge 6:9; Hab 2:4; Lu 2:25. Led by the Spirit -- Ro 8:14. Liberal -- Isa 32:8; 2Co 9:13. Loving -- Col 1:4; 1Th 4:9. Lowly -- Pr 16:19. Meek -- Isa ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, Character Of — Altogether lovely -- Song 5:16. Holy -- Lu 1:35; Ac 4:27; Re 3:7. Righteous -- Isa 53:11; Heb 1:9. Good -- Mt 19:16. Faithful -- Isa 11:5; 1Th 5:24. True -- Joh 1:14; 7:18; 1Jo 5:20. Just -- Zec 9:9; Joh 5:30; Ac 22:14. Guileless -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Sinless -- Joh 8:46; 2Co 5:21. Spotless -- 1Pe 1:19. Innocent -- Mt 27:4. Harmless -- Heb 7:26. Resisting temptation -- Mt 4:1-10. Obedient to God the Father -- Ps 40:8; Joh 4:34; 15:10. Zealous -- Lu 2:49; Joh 2:17; 8:29. Meek -- Isa 53:7; Zec 9:9; Mt 11:29. Lowly in heart -- Mt 11:29. Merciful ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hospitality — Commanded -- Ro 12:13; 1Pe 4:9. Required in ministers -- 1Ti 3:2; Tit 1:8. A test of Christian character -- 1Ti 5:10. Specially to be shown to Strangers. -- Heb 13:2. The poor. -- Isa 58:7; Lu 14:13. Enemies. -- 2Ki 6:22,23; Ro 12:20. Encouragement to -- Lu 14:14; Heb 13:2. Exemplified Melchizedek. -- Ge 14:18. Abraham. -- Ge 18:3-8. Lot. -- Ge 19:2,3. Laban. -- Ge 24:31. Jethro. -- Ex 2:20. Manoah. -- Jdj 13:15. Samuel. -- 1Sa 9:22. David. -- 2Sa 6:19. Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:32. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:8. Nehemiah. -- Ne 5:17. Job. -- Job 31:17,32. Zacchaeu”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
- II Peter “II Peter 1:8 (BSB) — For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Psalms “As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form. -- Psalms 17:15”
- 2 Peter “2 Peter 1:8 (NASB) — For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 5:14: 5:14 Being able to recognize the difference between right and wrong is a defining characteristic of spiritual maturity.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 28: character from their nature, and not from their origin. In the ordinary language of men, to say that a man is naturally proud or malicious is not an extenuation, but an aggravation. The more deeply these evil principles are seated in his nature, and the less they depend upon circumstances or voluntary action, the more profound is our abhorrence and the more severe is our condemnation. 113 The Irish people have always been remarkable for their fidelity; the English for honesty; the Germans for truthfulness. These national traits, as reveal”
- Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Repentance 4:5: Among the [24] are five [qualities] which have the tendency to lead the transgressor to continue to commit them and which are very difficult to abandon. Therefore, a person should be very careful lest he become attached to them, for they are very bad attributes. They are: a) gossip; b) slander; c) quick-temperedness; d) a person preoccupied with sinister thoughts; e) a person who becomes friendly with a wicked person, for he learns from his deeds and they are imprinted on his heart. This was implied by Solomon [Proverbs 13:20]: "A co”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 1:11: 1:11 Righteous character cannot be produced by human effort; it comes only through the Spirit of Christ working in people’s hearts. • Glory and praise to God is the ultimate purpose for which God’s people live (see Eph 1:6, 12, 14).”
- Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 1:11: 1:11 Righteous character cannot be produced by human effort; it comes only through the Spirit of Christ working in people’s hearts. • Glory and praise to God is the ultimate purpose for which God’s people live (see Eph 1:6, 12, 14).”