One look at this list will show us the qualities of a righteous person, one committed to the Lord and one who keeps His Word. Where do we go to learn the hows of a godly life? The Bible. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18), we are never lacking in godly thoughts.
The Bible tells us this about God, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).
Part of the “all things” Peter highlights here is seen when the Apostle Paul tells all Christ’s followers, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).
How and why should we make sure we actually think of those things?
What Is the Message of Philippians?
Philippians is a short, four-chapter book, but its message is ever solid and relevant. Believers are invited to partake in joyful and humble service, giving to those with whom we interact. No matter the trials we face, we have stability in Christ.
At the outset, Paul and Timothy together greet the saints in Philippi (Philippians 1:1). Paul speaks of the partnership with the Philippians “in the Gospel.”
At this point, let’s regard partnerships, for that is what Paul and Timothy are — partners in the Gospel. Partners participate or share with one another. Partners may be linked in various ventures, but for our purpose, we will look at biblical partnerships (co-writers, ministry heads, married couples, overseers, missionaries, church members, etc.). Since the Bible is written to all believers (2 Timothy 3:16-17), we are partners in the Gospel as well.
Partners must have:
- A common motive and goal
- An equal and beneficial understanding of their motives and goals
- Mutual trust and affection
- Thankfulness for each other
- Trust in the Lord for what He has done, is doing, and will do
The Context of Philippians 4:8
Paul ends Philippians 3 by entreating the Philippian church to imitate him and those who walk according to their (Paul and the other disciples’) examples, because believers’ citizenship is in heaven and not in or of the world. Most of Paul’s epistle to the Philippian church includes exhortations to see their suffering as a recognition of steadfastness and to serve one another unselfishly.
Chapter 4 begins with Paul adding to his encouragement as he tells the church to stand firm in the Lord. But then Paul makes a statement in verse 2, “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.” Paul had just told the church to stand firm in the Lord. And immediately he sends gentle instructions for disciplinary action. While not appearing egregious in nature, there still seems to be an issue the church overseers needed to address with those two women.
An important note is Paul addressed the two women by name, therefore they may have been influential women within the congregation. To let them continue may have caused a greater concern, so Paul entreats an unnamed (yet trusted) companion to help them (4:3a) — they who “have labored side by side with me in the Gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life” (4:3b). The text infers their status as believers is solid because Paul says their names are in the book of life, and the implication is they are partners in the Gospel, too.
What Are We to Think Of?
Before Paul ends his letter with personal news and greetings from others, he gives the Philippian church a mandate for their hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). People who partner together in kingdom work should heed his mandate.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me — practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).
Let’s unpack this incredible list of godly thoughts which should supply our hearts and minds with a backbone of holy living. As those whose names are also written in the book of life, we are to think about:
Whatever Is True
We know the Bible and what it says to us is true. God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are true. It’s no surprise the first part of our daily armor to put on is the belt of truth and the last armored vestment is the sword of the Spirit — the Word of truth (Ephesians 6:14, 17). Without knowing and standing secure in the truth, we are open to lies (John 8:44).
Whatever Is Honorable
Vine’s Expository Dictionary denotes honorable as, “good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, and therefore well adapted to its ends.” Our end is glorification (2 Corinthians 3:18); until then, we are in a God-ordered and led process of sanctification whereby we are becoming more and more like Christ. One of the marks of a true Christian is to be honorable (Romans 12:9-21). Another word we can use here is praiseworthy. The best praise a Christian can receive this side of heaven may be found in Galatians 1:24, “And they glorified God because of me.” As Christ’s ambassadors, we are His example to a watching world (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Whatever Is Just
God is just (Deuteronomy 32:4), and He never does anything without all parts of His nature working in tandem, e.g., He is concurrently perfect in justice and love. For humanity, it’s hard to be loving when faced with an injustice. Being just, however, is about more than simply “doing the right thing.” Christians are to be counter-cultural in a cutthroat world (John 17:14-15). We are to be fair according to God’s standards – especially when it’s inconvenient – because our actions represent God’s concern for justice.
When we need wisdom, look to God, our perfect example of righteousness and justice (James 1:5; Psalm 89:14).
Whatever Is Pure
The world is overflowing with impurity — from within (thoughts and motives, i.e., the heart), to the exterior actions the Bible calls wickedness: “sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). Purity stems from an eager willingness to obey the Lord as we love Him as He deserves (Psalm 96:4). The essence of purity will always be found in God’s Word and in His people.
Whatever Is Lovely
To be lovely is to be acceptable and pleasing. We don’t worry about being accepted by the world (the values of unbelievers). Instead, because the Lord has drawn us to Him, our works done in thanksgiving should be acceptable to Him (Psalm 119:108; Matthew 5:16). We also seek to please our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:9, Hebrews 11:6). Such loveliness displays our faith.
Whatever Is Commendable
Luke 2:52 tells us, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” Because Jesus was fully God and fully man, it’s only right He would have been commendable (in favor with) God and man. Our chief end is to glorify God (Psalm 145) and this is what commends us before Him.
It is highly commendable (praiseworthy) to be able to say, “And they glorified God because of me” (Galatians 1:24). That’s the godly way — with humility and grace, giving all the glory to God.
What Contains Any Excellence
When the Lord God created the heavens and the earth, He deemed His creation good. Good according to God is excellence unmatched. We cannot achieve the sort of excellence our Lord God does, yet we can, as did the Apostle Paul, “toil, struggling with all His energy that He powerfully works within me” (Colossians 1:29, 2 Peter 1:3). His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence. God knows excellence, and when we are in glory, we too will be “in His excellence” because He called us to it.
Anything Worthy of Praise
As Christians, all we do is to be for Christ (Colossians 3:23-24), and any praise we receive, we transfer to Him. Any rewards (crowns) bestowed upon us are joyfully cast to the Lord Christ.
One look at this list will show us the qualities of a righteous person, one committed to the Lord and one who keeps His Word. Where do we go to learn the hows of a godly life? The Bible. As we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18), we are never lacking in godly thoughts. To “think about these things” means we have them locked in our heads and more importantly, in our hearts (Psalm 19:14), especially as we serve Christ as partners in the Gospel.
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