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 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Phil 4:6 | Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. | Leading into this verse |
| Matt 6:33 | Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness... | Foundational to true desires |
| 1 Cor 13:4-7 | Love is patient, love is kind... | Defined by true love |
| Rom 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind... | Transformation of the mind |
| Col 3:2 | Set your minds on things above, not on things that are on earth. | Heavenly perspective |
| Ps 19:14 | Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you... | Godly contemplation |
| Ps 24:3-4 | Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart... | Purity and integrity |
| Ps 119:9, 11 | How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word... Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. | Purity through God's word |
| Matt 5:8 | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. | The pure in heart |
| Luke 6:45 | The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. | Heart’s outflow |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Fruit of the Spirit |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with all people, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Pursuit of holiness |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, because I am holy." | Call to holiness |
| 2 Pet 3:14 | Therefore, beloved, since you wait for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless. | Steadfastness and peace |
| Rom 15:13 | May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. | Source of joy and peace |
| Ps 37:30-31 | The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip. | Wisdom and righteous speech |
| Titus 2:7-8 | Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned... | Integrity and sound speech |
| 1 Tim 4:12 | Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. | Purity in conduct and speech |
| Phil 1:10 | So that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. | Approving what is excellent |
| Col 3:12 | Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. | Virtuous character |
| Prov 23:7 | For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. | The thought shapes the person |
Philippians 4 verses
Philippians 4 8 Meaning
This verse encourages believers to focus their minds on things that are pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. It's a call to cultivate a mindset rooted in godliness and virtue, ultimately leading to peace.
Philippians 4 8 Context
Philippians chapter 4 is Paul's concluding remarks to the church in Philippi. He addresses specific issues within the church, like the dispute between Euodia and Syntyche, and offers practical exhortations for Christian living. The chapter culminates in a powerful assurance of God's peace that surpasses all understanding, which is conditioned on a right state of mind and prayer. This verse is a direct antecedent to that promise, detailing the specific kind of thinking that guards the heart and mind with God's peace. Historically, the church in Philippi was dear to Paul, founded during his second missionary journey. They had been steadfast in their support of his ministry, and he writes to encourage them in their faith amidst opposition and personal hardship.
Philippians 4 8 Word Analysis
- Whatsoever (ὅσα - hosa): This refers to "all things" or "whatever things." It’s comprehensive, indicating no exceptions. It includes thoughts, words, actions, and the objects of our attention.
- True (ἀληθῆ - alēthē): "True" speaks of truth, reality, genuineness, and faithfulness. It contrasts with deception, falsehood, or mere appearance.
- Honorable (σεμνὰ - semna): This relates to dignity, reverence, gravity, and respectability. It pertains to things that are noble, worthy of esteem, and commanding respect due to their inherent quality or virtue.
- Just (δίκαια - dikaiia): "Just" refers to righteousness, equity, fairness, and what is morally right according to God's standards. It implies conformity to divine law and principle.
- Pure (ἁγνά - hagna): This denotes purity in a moral and ethical sense, including chastity, innocence, and freedom from corruption or impurity. It speaks of singleness of purpose, unmixed motives.
- Lovely (ἀγαπητά - agapēta): Derived from "agape" (love), this signifies things that are lovable, dear, pleasing, and evoke affection. It relates to what is benevolent and expresses Christ-like love.
- Commendable (εὔφημα - euphēma): This means "good report," "well-spoken of," or "praiseworthy." It relates to things that are spoken of with admiration, virtue, or excellence, inspiring positive regard.
- Virtue (ἀρετῆς - aretēs): "Virtue" signifies moral excellence, praiseworthiness, goodness, and prowess. In the Greek context, it often implied excellence of any kind, but here it’s specifically moral excellence aligned with God.
- Praise (ἐπαίνου - epainou): This is "praise" or "approval." It signifies that which is worthy of commendation, laudation, or admiration.
Words group by words group analysis:
- True, Honorable, Just (ἀληθῆ, σεμνὰ, δίκαια): This group focuses on factual and righteous realities. These are things that align with God’s character and truth. Thinking on these anchors the mind in objective reality, not subjective feelings or distorted perceptions.
- Pure, Lovely, Commendable (ἁγνά, ἀγαπητά, εὔφημα): This group addresses character and positive qualities. They are things that are morally clean, evoke love, and are praiseworthy in their conduct and nature. This focuses on the character of actions and their appeal to a renewed heart.
- Virtue and Praise (ἀρετῆς, ἐπαίνου): This pair emphasizes excellence and commendation. It’s about recognizing and dwelling on the excellent qualities found in God, His creation, His people, and godly principles, and that which is praiseworthy in character and action.
Philippians 4 8 Bonus Section
The specific list provided by Paul is a practical application of the broader New Testament emphasis on renewing the mind (Romans 12:2) and setting our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2). It is a tangible method for maintaining spiritual victory, especially in the face of distress or external pressures, directly linking our thought life to God's promised peace. This "mental diet" is crucial for spiritual health and effective witness.
Philippians 4 8 Commentary
The command to think on these qualities is not passive; it requires active engagement of the mind. It is a deliberate choice to direct our thoughts toward things that align with God’s character and His word. This mental discipline is crucial because our thoughts profoundly influence our emotions, attitudes, and actions. By cultivating a mind that is constantly drawn to what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, virtuous, and praiseworthy, believers train themselves to live in alignment with God's will. This active redirection of mental energy serves as a defense against anxiety and despair, paving the way for the peace of God to inhabit the heart. This isn't about suppressing negative thoughts, but about replacing them with the focus on positive, godly realities.
- When feeling overwhelmed by bad news, intentionally recall acts of kindness and God's faithfulness (Lovely, Commendable).
- During a disagreement, reflect on the principles of justice and what is right (True, Just).
- When tempted, focus on purity and integrity (Pure).
- When facing hardship, consider the character and promises of God (Virtue, Praise).