Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Fourth, believers should keep on thinking and doing what is morally and spiritually excellent. This involves centering their minds on exalted things and then (v.9) putting into practice what they have learned from Paul’s teaching and example.

Here (v.8) Paul sets forth in memorable words a veritable charter of virtues for Christian thought. “True” (GK 239) has the sense of valid, reliable, and honest—the opposite of false. It characterizes God (Romans 3:4) and should also characterize believers. “Noble” (GK 4948; cf. also 1Ti3:8, 11; Titus 2:2) denotes a quality that makes people worthy of respect. “Right” (GK 1465) refers to what is upright or just, conformable to God’s standards and thus worthy of his approval. “Pure” (GK 54) emphasizes moral purity and includes in some contexts the more restricted sense of “chaste.” “Lovely” (GK 4713) relates to what is pleasing, agreeable, or amiable. “Admirable” (GK 2368) denotes what is praiseworthy, attractive, and true to the highest standards.

Suddenly Paul changes the sentence structure to conditional clauses, a rhetorical device that forces each reader to exercise his or her own discernment and choose what is “excellent” (GK 746) and “praiseworthy” (GK 2047). Paul knows that when we continually center our minds on such thoughts as these, we shall live like Christians.