Philippians 4 8

Philippians 4:8 kjv

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.

Philippians 4:8 nkjv

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy?meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8 niv

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable?if anything is excellent or praiseworthy?think about such things.

Philippians 4:8 esv

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.

Philippians 4:8 nlt

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4 verses

Philippians 4 8 Meaning

Philippians 4:8 serves as a comprehensive ethical injunction, urging believers to intentionally focus their thoughts on an exhaustive list of morally excellent and God-honoring qualities. This proactive mental discipline is presented as foundational for experiencing the "peace of God" mentioned previously and living a life that reflects Christ's character, ultimately shaping conduct and outlook. It moves beyond simply avoiding wrong to actively embracing and pondering what is truly good, virtuous, and praiseworthy.

Philippians 4 8 Context

Philippians 4:8 stands as a climactic exhortation within Paul's letter, directly following his instruction to cast anxieties on God through prayer and experience God's surpassing peace (Phil 4:6-7). Having established the internal spiritual reality of peace, Paul now provides practical guidance for maintaining it and for Christian conduct. This verse acts as a bridge, instructing believers how to engage their minds so that the "peace of God" guards their hearts and minds, leading to an outward life worthy of the Gospel. It precedes a command to practice what they have learned from Paul and promises the "God of peace" will be with them if they do so. The Philippian church existed within a Greco-Roman context, a proud Roman colony with various pagan philosophies (like Stoicism) prevalent. While some of the virtues listed might superficially overlap with pagan ideals, Paul re-centers them within a divine framework and empowers their pursuit through Christ, contrasting them with the common vices and rivalries of the day.

Philippians 4 8 Word analysis

• Finally (το λοιπόν, to loipon): Not merely marking the absolute end of the letter, but often signifies "for the rest," "as for what remains," or "consequently." It introduces a concluding set of instructions or ethical considerations.
• brethren (ἀδελφοί, adelphoi): A term of endearment and shared spiritual kinship, reinforcing the loving and pastoral tone of Paul's advice.
• whatever things (ὅσα, hosa): This inclusive and repetitive phrase ("whatever things are...") emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the qualities Paul is about to list, leaving no virtuous aspect unchecked.
• are true (ἀληθῆ, alēthē): Denotes factual accuracy, genuineness, and moral integrity. It stands in contrast to falsehood, deceit, and pretense, reflecting God's own character as Truth (Jn 14:6).
• are noble (σεμνά, semna): Refers to that which is honorable, dignified, majestic, and commands respect. It suggests moral seriousness and freedom from triviality or unworthiness.
• are just (δίκαια, dikaia): Signifies moral rectitude, fairness, and conformity to what is right by divine standard and in human dealings. It encompasses righteous conduct and equitable treatment.
• are pure (ἁγνά, hagna): Means unmixed, undefiled, chaste, and free from moral stain or impurity. It pertains to inward moral and spiritual cleanliness, integrity of motive, and holy living (Mt 5:8).
• are lovely (προσφιλῆ, prosphilē): Refers to what is pleasing, amiable, attractive, or endearing. It highlights the beauty and winsomeness of Christian character that inspires love rather than revulsion or offense.
• of good report (εὔφημα, euphēma): Denotes that which is well-spoken of, commendable, praiseworthy, and reputable. It pertains to character and actions that earn genuine, positive public recognition.
• if there is any virtue (εἴ τις ἀρετὴ, ei tis aretē): Aretē in Hellenistic thought broadly meant moral excellence or intrinsic goodness. In the Christian context, it refers to moral excellence flowing from godly character and actions, summing up all positive attributes not specifically listed.
• and if there is any praise (καὶ εἴ τις ἔπαινος, kai ei tis epainos): Encompasses anything worthy of commendation, approval, or laud. It highlights those things that, when demonstrated, elicit genuine esteem from both God and upright individuals.
• meditate on these things (ταῦτα λογίζεσθε, tauta logizesthe): The imperative "λογίζεσθε" (logizesthe) means to "reckon," "consider," "take into account," or "reason about." It denotes an active, deliberate, and sustained mental engagement—not mere fleeting thought, but a disciplined focusing of the mind, processing these qualities in one's life.

Words-group analysis:

• "whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report": This litany of six virtues forms the core list, presenting a holistic framework for godly character. The repetition of "whatever things" stresses the individual importance of each quality and their comprehensive scope.
• "if there is any virtue and if there is any praise": These two phrases serve as a summary clause, an all-encompassing umbrella that ensures no admirable or excellent quality is excluded. They act as a climax, inviting believers to seek out any form of moral excellence and praiseworthy characteristic, broadening the application beyond the specific six items.
• "meditate on these things": This final command turns the preceding list from abstract qualities into a concrete, actionable discipline. It instructs the reader to actively and habitually reflect on, process, and align their inner life with these virtues, underscoring that intentional thought precedes righteous living.

Philippians 4 8 Bonus section

The injunction in Philippians 4:8 directly supports the concept of renewing the mind found in Rom 12:2 and Col 3:2, where transformation of one's inner being is paramount for Christian living. This mental discipline is crucial not just for individual holiness but also for contributing to a wholesome church community, counteracting gossip, malice, and divisiveness. The emphasis on "lovely" and "good report" also acknowledges the importance of Christian witness and reputation in evangelism, where believers' lives should attract, not repel, others to the Gospel. Furthermore, while ancient philosophies like Stoicism also emphasized virtue, the Christian understanding in Phil 4:8 is distinct; these virtues are not achieved through sheer willpower alone, but are nurtured by the Holy Spirit and aimed at glorifying God through Christ, grounding them in a relational, not merely rational, foundation.

Philippians 4 8 Commentary

Philippians 4:8 is a potent call to active, intentional thought life that profoundly impacts one's spiritual experience and outward conduct. Following his teaching on prayer and the peace of God (Phil 4:6-7), Paul transitions to the cognitive discipline required to sustain that peace. The verse is not merely a suggestion to avoid negative thoughts, but a proactive mandate to engage the mind with a comprehensive array of divine and human excellences.

The six initial virtues – true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report – describe qualities essential to Christian character. "True" points to authenticity and integrity; "noble" to dignity and respectability; "just" to righteousness and fairness; "pure" to moral clarity and unmixed motives; "lovely" to amiability and winsomeness; and "of good report" to a reputable witness in the community. The summary clauses, "if there is any virtue and if there is any praise," expand the scope, ensuring no excellent or commendable quality is overlooked, thereby encouraging believers to find goodness universally, discern it Biblically, and apply it personally.

The imperative "meditate on these things" is critical. It implies a deliberate, reflective, and habitual focus, much like a meticulous accounting process, where one continually weighs and evaluates life against these standards. This is not passive contemplation but active mental engagement, designed to shape beliefs, attitudes, and ultimately, actions. Such a disciplined mind, fixed on what is good and God-honoring, is conducive to spiritual maturity, equips one to navigate life's challenges, and forms the bedrock of a life that truly honors God, fostering inner peace and a credible witness in the world. It means rejecting cynical, corrupt, and worldly thought patterns, and instead, actively cultivating thoughts aligned with the character of Christ.

For practical application, this involves:

• Intentional reflection: Regularly setting aside time to ponder these virtues in specific life situations.
• Discernment: Asking "Is this true, noble, just...?" about information received, decisions to make, or people encountered.
• Focus shifting: When negative, anxious, or unholy thoughts arise, consciously redirecting the mind towards this list of commendable qualities.