List of virtues and vices

Without finishing the first epistle of Peter, we start reading the second epistle today. Though this is the second epistle of Peter collected in the New Testament, it does not mean that it was written after the first. In fact, many scholars suggest that it was written before the first! Remember, the books collected in the New Testament are arranged according to a certain scheme. Paul's epistles were written before the gospels but the gospels are more important than all other epistles. Therefore, they are placed at the beginning of the collection. Paul's epistles are arranged according to length and those written for the churches are placed before those written for the individuals. In short, the books are not arranged in chronological order.
The early church made up lists of virtues and vices for teaching purposes. These lists have made their ways into the books of the New Testament. Here is a partial list.
And he said, "What comes out of a man is what defiles a man.
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, fornication, theft, murder, adultery,
coveting, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. (Mark 7:20-21)
A list of 13 vices.
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)
Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness,
idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit,
envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:19-23)
A list of 15 vices and 9 virtues.
For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge,
and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. (2 Peter 1:5-7)
A list of 8 virtues from the second epistles of Peter.
We Christians should not be pessimistic. Though there are more vices than virtues, there are virtues after all. Men are still redeemable. It is possible to lead a virtuous life and a virtuous life is not built in one day.

My Advocate, May Your grace bear fruits in us. May we build up an environment conducive to the leading of a virtuous life. Amen.