translation goodness for aretē is mild. Basically, aretē is that which expresses worth. Applied to human beings, it means moral goodness (as in 1:5; “virtue” in KJV). Applied to God (as here in v. 3), it means that which manifests divine miracle-working power for good. 1:4 / Through these, that is, on account of Christ’s divine attributes of glory and excellence releasing divine power, he has given us his very great and precious promises. The natural reading of this passage suggests that the pledges
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