'Excellence' in the Bible
Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them;
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these.
And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this realm and its glory [its power, its renown]; because it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest [surpassing the others in esteem and authority].
“He who comes from [heaven] above is above all others; he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks [about things] of the earth [his viewpoint and experience are earthly]. He who comes from heaven is above all.
and exchanged the glory and majesty and excellence of the immortal God for an image [worthless idols] in the shape of mortal man and birds and four-footed animals and reptiles.
But if I do that which I do not desire to do, I admit the excellence of the Law,
When I came to you, brothers, I didn't come with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.
But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not just the talk of these arrogant people, but [evaluate] their [spiritual] power [whether they live up to their own claims].
For the kingdom of God is not based on talk but on power.
But desire earnestly the greater gifts, and yet shew I unto you a way of more surpassing excellence.
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the full knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence.
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,