Albert Barnes Commentary Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, 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." — Philippians 4:8 (ASV)

Finally, brethren. As for what remains—to loipon—this serves as a final counsel or exhortation.

Whatsoever things are true. In this exhortation, the apostle assumes that there were certain things admitted to be true, pure, and good in the world, which had not been directly revealed, or which were commonly regarded as such by the men of the world.

His object is to show them that such things ought to be exhibited by the Christian.

Everything that was honest and just towards God and towards men was to be practiced by them, and they were in all things to be examples of the highest kind of morality.

They were not to exhibit partial virtues; not to perform one set of duties to the neglect or exclusion of others; not to be faithful in their duties to God and neglect their duty to men; not to be punctual in their religious rites and neglectful of the common laws of morality.

Instead, they were to do everything that could be regarded as a fair subject of commendation and that was implied in the highest moral character.

The word "true" here refers to everything that was the reverse of falsehood. They were to be true to their engagements, true to their promises, true in their statements, and true in their friendships.

They were to maintain the truth about God, about eternity, about the judgment, and about every man's character. Truth is a representation of things as they are, and they were constantly to live under the correct impression of things.

A man who is false to his engagements, or false in his statements and promises, is one who will always disgrace religion.

Whatsoever things are honest. The Greek word is semna. Properly, this means venerable or reverend; then honourable or reputable. The word was originally used in relation to the gods and to the things that pertained to them, as being worthy of honour or veneration. Pussow. As applied to men, it commonly means grave, dignified, worthy of veneration or regard.

In the New Testament, it is rendered grave in 1 Timothy 3:8, 11, and Titus 2:2—the only places where the word occurs except here. The noun (semnotēs) is rendered honesty in 1 Timothy 2:2 and gravity in 1 Timothy 3:4 and Titus 2:7. It occurs nowhere else in the New Testament.

The word, therefore, does not express precisely what the word "honest" does for us, as confined to dealings or business transactions. Rather, it has reference to what was regarded as worthy of reputation or honour.

This includes what was in the customs of society, in the respect due to age and rank, and in interactions within society, that deserved respect or esteem.

It includes, indeed, what is right in business transactions, but it also embraces much more. It means that the Christian is to show respect to all the venerable and proper customs of society, when they do not violate conscience or interfere with the law of God (Compare to 1 Timothy 3:7).

Whatsoever things are just. This refers to things that are right between people. A Christian should be just in all his dealings.

His religion does not exempt him from the strict laws that bind people to the exercise of this virtue. Indeed, there is perhaps no way by which a professing Christian can do more injury than by injustice and dishonesty in his dealings.

It is to be remembered that the men of the world, in estimating a person's character, attach much more importance to the virtues of justice and honesty than they do to regularity in observing religious ordinances. Therefore, if a Christian would make an impression on others favorable to religion, it is indispensable that he manifest uncorrupted integrity in his dealings.

Whatsoever things are pure. This means chaste—in thought, feeling, and in conduct between the sexes.

Whatsoever things are lovely. The word used here properly means what is dear to anyone, then what is pleasing. In this context, it means what is amiable—such a temper of mind that one can love it, or such as to be agreeable to others.

A Christian should not be sour, crabbed, and irritable in his temper, for almost nothing tends so much to injure the cause of religion as a temper that is always chafed, a brow that is morose and stern, an eye that is severe and unkind, and a disposition to find fault with everything.

And yet, it is to be regretted that many persons who make no pretensions to piety far surpass many professing Christians in the virtue commended here. A sour and crabbed temper in a professing Christian will undo all the good that he attempts to do.

Whatsoever things are of good report. That is, whatever is truly reputable in the world at large. There are actions that all people agree in commending, and which in all ages and countries are regarded as virtues.

Courtesy, urbanity, kindness, respect for parents, and purity between brothers and sisters, are among these virtues—and the Christian should be a pattern and an example in them all. His usefulness depends much more on the cultivation of these virtues than is commonly supposed.

If there be any virtue. This means if there is anything truly virtuous. Paul did not suppose that he had given a full catalogue of the virtues he would have them cultivate.

He therefore adds that if there was anything else that had the nature of true virtue in it, they should be careful to cultivate that also. The Christian should be a pattern and an example of every virtue.

And if there be any praise. This means anything worthy of praise, or that ought to be praised.

Think on these things. Let them be the object of your careful attention and study, so as to practice them. Think what they are, think on the obligation to observe them, and think on the influence they would have on the world around you.