18 Bible Verses About Character, and the Word Paul Borrowed From the Assay Office



  • The word translated character in Romans 5:4 is the term for metal that has been tested and passed — a result, not a trait.
  • Paul’s chain runs suffering, perseverance, character, hope, and it will not run backwards.
  • Eight of the nine fruits of the Spirit describe behaviour towards other people; only self-control is available in private.
  • Psalm 15 answers a question about the holy mountain with a list of ordinary conduct, none of it happening in the tent.
  • The verb behind “clothe yourselves with humility” describes tying on a servant’s apron, which Peter had watched done with a towel.

The word Paul uses for character means metal that has been tested and passed. It is the term for an assayed coin, and he puts it third in a sequence — suffering, then perseverance, then this — so character in his account is a result rather than a quality somebody has. That changes what the subject is. Every New Testament list of virtues is a list of things done to other people, and none of them can be checked alone…

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