Virtues - from the Latin virtus (sing.) and virtutes (pl.). The Greek of the New Testament is dunamis (sing.) and dunamies (pl.), which suggests strength, especially the ability to do something. In contemporary translations (e.g. NAB, RSV) this word is often translated power(s) and the Greek word traditionally associated with the choir of Powers (exousia) is translated authorities, leading to confusion between the Virtues (dunamies) and the Powers (exousiai).  The following table shows the terminology used in the various languages and translations.               See also Powers

Ephes. 1:21
    far above every principality, power, virtue, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.

1 Peter 3:22
    who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, powers and virtues subject to him.

Ephes. 1
    Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to the holy ones who are (in Ephesus) faithful in Christ Jesus: [2] grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, [4] as he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and without blemish before him. In love [5] he destined us for adoption to himself through Jesus Christ, in accord with the favor of his will, [6] for the praise of the glory of his grace that he granted us in the beloved.
    [7] In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace [8] that he lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight, [9] he has made known to us the mystery of his will in accord with his favor that he set forth in him [10] as a plan for the fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
    [11] In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, [12] so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. [13] In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, [14] which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God's possession, to the praise of his glory.
    [15] Therefore, I, too, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus and of your love for all the holy ones, [16] do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, [17] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. [18] May the eyes of (your) hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, [19] and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, [20] which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, [21] far above every principality, power, virtue, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, [23] which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

1 Peter 3
    Likewise, you wives should be subordinate to your husbands so that, even if some disobey the word, they may be won over without a word by their wives' conduct [2] when they observe your reverent and chaste behavior. [3] Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes, [4] but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God. [5] For this is also how the holy women who hoped in God once used to adorn themselves and were subordinate to their husbands; [6] thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him "lord." You are her children when you do what is good and fear no intimidation.
    [7] Likewise, you husbands should live with your wives in understanding, showing honor to the weaker female sex, since we are joint heirs of the gift of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
    [8] Finally, all of you, be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another, compassionate, humble. [9] Do not return evil for evil, or insult for insult; but, on the contrary, a blessing, because to this you were called, that you might inherit a blessing. [10] For:
    "Whoever would love life
        and see good days must keep the tongue from evil
        and the lips from speaking deceit,
    [11] must turn from evil and do good,
        seek peace and follow after it.
    [12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
        and his ears turned to their prayer,
    but the face of the Lord is against evildoers."
    [13] Now who is going to harm you if you are enthusiastic for what is good? [14] But even if you should suffer because of righteousness, blessed are you. Do not be afraid or terrified with fear of them, [15] but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, [16] but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may themselves be put to shame. [17] For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that be the will of God, than for doing evil.
    [18] For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit. [19] In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, [20] who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water. [21] This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [22] who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, powers and virtues subject to him.