Christian Character

Christian Character is described in the Bible in terms of very specific traits.  In fact, the word "character" is what we use to capture the essence of these traits in a single English word.

In Ruth 3:11, Psalm 12:4, and Proverbs 31:10, a Hebrew  word is translated as "virtuous" to describe a woman of character.  In Hebrew, the word could aptly be translated as "force" and is used to describe the power of her presence or influence.  She is courageous, influential, persuasive, and a resourceful woman.  Something to consider here is that, in the author's context,  women were considered no higher than slaves.  So for a woman to be a "force," she would have to be very resourceful.

In Acts 17:11, the Bareans were referred to as men of "noble character."  Matthew Henry said they were considered such because of their openness to the Gospel.  He says: "They had a better temper, were not so sour, morose, and ill-conditioned towards all that were not of their mind.  As they were ready to come into a unity with those that, by the power of truth, they were brought to concur with, so they continued in charity with those that they saw cause to differ from." (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)

In Romans 5:4, character is the trust that comes from being tested by suffering and persecution.  Matthew Henry says it is the personal experience of God's presence when circumstances are at their worst.  He says, "the patient sufferers have the greatest experience of the divine consolations, which abound as afflictions abound.  It works an experience of ourselves.  It is by tribulation that we make an experiment of our own sincerity." (from Matthew Henry's Commentary)

In 1 Cor 15:33, character is expressed as "true companionship."  In the Greek, it is expressed as steadfast and honest communication.  Bad character, in contrast, is that of a hedonist.  Friends are not friends if they will sell you for a drink, money, or some political favor.  The true friend of character will risk the approval of his friends, loss of his social position, and forfeiture of money to maintain the truth of a relationship.

From these examples, we can derive a deep and specific sense of Christian character. One who displays Christian character is courageous and resourceful, a force to be reckoned with even while remaining open to others and their ideas, patient in suffering and dedicated in their love for others (just as they would want others to be dedicated to them).