Think on These Things Philippians 4:8

After giving the Philippian church members instructions pertaining to times when they worry, Paul the apostle moved the attention of the Philippians toward the things they think upon. In chapter four and verse eight Paul gives them a list of good thoughts they should be thinking. We read:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

The verse begins, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,...” As a beginning thought to this verse, Paul wrote “Finally” which is the same word he used in chapter three and verse one, however, since the fourth chapter is the final chapter of this letter, this is the last “finally” that he employed. He then begins his list of good things to think upon with “whatsoever things are true” which is “loving the truth, speaking the truth, or truthful”. These are things that are “unconcealed and not hidden”. Next he moves to “whatsoever things are honest” which are “august, venerable, reverend or honorable” things. Paul then tells them “whatsoever things are just” or “righteous, observing divine laws and rendering to each his due”.

The verse continues, “whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;...” Paul continued his list with “whatsoever things are pure” which means “exciting reverence, venerable, sacred, pure from carnality, chaste, modest, pure from every fault, immaculate and clean”. Next Paul adds, “whatsoever things are lovely” or “acceptable and pleasing”, and he included “whatsoever things are of good report” which means “sounding well, uttering words of good omen, and speaking auspiciously”. These are things which are “spoken in a kindly spirit with good will toward others”. No doubt Paul had great interest in things which were pure, lovely, and of good report, and he desired that the Philippians think about these things as well.

Finally the verse says, “if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Paul once again employs the tiny conditional word “if” which allows for the possibility of obedience or disobedience, however in this case it implies “whoever or whatever” and refers to ones who would pay attention to what he just declared. He then adds two conditions. First, “if there be any virtue” which means “a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action,moral goodness, any particular moral excellence, as modesty, and purity”, and Secondly “if there be any praise” which is “approbation or commendation”. Paul knew that “if” there was going to be any moral excellence and purity among the Philippians, and “if” there was going to be any approbation or commendation at all among them, it would be because they “think on these things”. Therefore, Paul charged the church members with such.

Do the things we think about align with Paul's list for the Philippians? Are our thoughts on things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report? Would our lives be considered of moral excellence and worthy of commendation if people were to read our thoughts? Hopefully this verse has challenged us to examine our thinking, and when we think in the manner Paul instructed, we do well, however, where we go astray in our thoughts, let this verse be a reminder of where our thinking should be, and may the Lord help us to keep our thoughts as He instructed through His servant Paul.

Next time Paul tells the Philippians to do as they have seen him do, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, www.amazon.com ; www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.