# Excellence ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible *Excellence* ([[philippians-04#^philippians-04-8|Phil 4:8]]) - *Aretē* (Gk.): means \"goodness\" or \"moral virtue\". The term is found only four times in the NT but was commonly used by the philosophers and moralists of Greek antiquity. Peter uses it to describe the \"wonderful deeds\" of the Lord displayed in the gospel ([[1-peter-02#^1-peter-02-9|1 Pet 2:9]]). In another place, he specifies that God\'s power works in us to produce lives of \"excellence\" and \"virtue\" through grace ([[2-peter-01#^2-peter-01-3|2 Pet 1:3, 5]]). When Paul uses the term, he challenges us to ponder all that is virtuous in order to crowd every impure and unworthy thought out of our minds ([[philippians-04#^philippians-04-8|Phil 4:8]]). This implies a close relationship between contemplation and conduct, so that wholesome meditation can be an inspiration for exemplary living ([[wisdom-08#^wisdom-08-7|Wis 8:7]]) (CCC 1803). ### Sources [[11-philippians-commentary#^x9gwcl|Excellence — word study]]