Philippians 4:8 Study Bible: Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, 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 any praise, think on these things.

Bible > Philippians > Chapter 4 > Verse 8

◄ Philippians 4:8 ►

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think on these things.

Study Bible

Finally, brothers
The word "finally" indicates a conclusion or summation of previous thoughts. In the Greek, "λοιπόν" (loipon) suggests a transition to a final exhortation. Paul is addressing "brothers," which in the Greek is "ἀδελφοί" (adelphoi), a term that encompasses both male and female believers, emphasizing the familial bond within the Christian community. This familial language underscores the unity and shared identity in Christ, reminding believers of their collective journey and responsibilities.

whatever is true
The Greek word for "true" is "ἀληθής" (alēthēs), which means genuine, real, or in accordance with fact. In a world filled with deception and falsehood, Paul calls believers to focus on what is true, aligning their thoughts with the truth of God's Word and the reality of His promises. This truth is not subjective but is rooted in the character of God, who is the ultimate standard of truth.

whatever is honorable
"Honorable" in Greek is "σεμνός" (semnos), which conveys a sense of dignity, respect, and moral integrity. It refers to things that are noble and worthy of reverence. Believers are encouraged to meditate on what is honorable, elevating their thoughts to reflect the holiness and majesty of God, and to live lives that are worthy of respect.

whatever is right
The term "right" is translated from the Greek "δίκαιος" (dikaios), meaning just or righteous. It implies conformity to God's standards and justice. Paul urges believers to focus on righteousness, both in thought and action, reflecting God's justice and fairness in their dealings with others.

whatever is pure
"Pure" comes from the Greek "ἁγνός" (hagnos), which means clean, innocent, or undefiled. This purity is not just moral but also spiritual, calling believers to maintain purity in their thoughts, free from corruption and sin. It reflects a heart and mind dedicated to God, striving for holiness in all aspects of life.

whatever is lovely
The Greek word "προσφιλής" (prosphilēs) means pleasing or agreeable. It refers to things that are beautiful and attractive in a moral or spiritual sense. Paul encourages believers to dwell on what is lovely, fostering a mindset that appreciates the beauty of God's creation and His work in the world.

whatever is admirable
"Admirable" is translated from the Greek "εὔφημος" (euphēmos), meaning commendable or of good report. It suggests a focus on things that are well-spoken of or praiseworthy. Believers are to consider what is admirable, promoting a reputation that honors God and edifies others.

if anything is excellent
"Excellent" in Greek is "ἀρετή" (aretē), which denotes virtue or moral excellence. It encompasses the highest moral standards and virtues. Paul challenges believers to seek out and meditate on excellence, striving for the highest moral and ethical standards in their lives.

or praiseworthy
"Praiseworthy" comes from the Greek "ἔπαινος" (epainos), meaning deserving of praise or approval. It refers to actions or thoughts that are commendable and worthy of recognition. Believers are encouraged to focus on what is praiseworthy, aligning their lives with actions that bring glory to God and reflect His character.

think on these things
The phrase "think on these things" is translated from the Greek "λογίζεσθε" (logizesthe), which means to consider, reckon, or meditate. It implies a deliberate and continuous focus on the virtues listed. Paul instructs believers to actively engage their minds in contemplating these qualities, allowing them to shape their thoughts, attitudes, and actions, ultimately leading to a life that honors God and reflects His goodness.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Philippians, writing from prison to encourage and instruct the believers in Philippi.

2. Philippi
A city in Macedonia, where the first European church was established by Paul. The Philippian church was known for its generosity and support of Paul's ministry.

3. Philippian Church
The recipients of the letter, a community of believers facing external pressures and internal challenges, encouraged by Paul to live in unity and joy.

Teaching Points

The Power of Thought
Our thoughts shape our actions and character. By focusing on what is true and honorable, we align ourselves with God's will.

Discernment in Media
In a world filled with negative and impure content, Christians are called to discern and choose what is pure and lovely.

Cultivating a Christ-like Mindset
Regular meditation on Scripture and prayer helps cultivate a mindset that reflects Christ's character.

Community Influence
Encourage one another in the community to focus on what is excellent and praiseworthy, fostering a positive and uplifting environment.

Practical Application
Create a list of things in your life that are true, honorable, and praiseworthy, and make a conscious effort to dwell on these daily.

Bible Study Questions

1. How can focusing on what is true and honorable impact your daily decision-making?

2. In what ways can you apply Philippians 4:8 to your consumption of media and entertainment?

3. How does setting your mind on things above (Colossians 3:2) relate to the exhortation in Philippians 4:8?

4. What practical steps can you take to encourage others in your community to think on things that are excellent and praiseworthy?

5. Reflect on a time when focusing on what is pure and lovely helped you overcome a challenge. How can this experience guide you in future situations?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Romans 12:2
This verse speaks about the transformation of the mind, which aligns with the call in Philippians 4:8 to focus on virtuous and praiseworthy things.

Colossians 3:2
Encourages believers to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things, which complements the exhortation in Philippians 4:8.

2 Corinthians 10:5
Discusses taking every thought captive to obey Christ, which is related to the discipline of thinking on things that are true and honorable.

Sermons

Subjects for Christian Study	T. Croskery	Philippians 4:8
The Bible the Great Civilizer	Charles Kingsley	Philippians 4:8
The Contemplation of Goodness	W.F. Adeney	Philippians 4:8
Think on These Things	Alexander Maclaren	Philippians 4:8
The Life of Joy and Peace	R.M. Edgar	Philippians 4:1-9
Afraid of Joy	H. W. Beecher.	Philippians 4:4-8
Amusements in the Light of the Gospel	Dr. Colborne.	Philippians 4:4-8
Christian Cheerfulness	J. F. B. Tinling, B. A.	Philippians 4:4-8
Christian Joy	S. Martin.	Philippians 4:4-8
Christian Rejoicing	C. Girdlestone, M. A.	Philippians 4:4-8
Christian Rejoicing	Dean Vaughan.	Philippians 4:4-8
Christians Joyful in the Lord	Canon Chamneys.	Philippians 4:4-8
Christ's Nearness	Marcus Rainsford.	Philippians 4:4-8
Constant Joy in God the Duty of Christians	N. Emmons, D. D.	Philippians 4:4-8
Joy	Weekly Pulpit	Philippians 4:4-8
Joy a Duty		Philippians 4:4-8
Means of Christian Joy	H. W. Beecher.	Philippians 4:4-8
No Joy in Heathenism	H. J. W. Buxton, M. A.	Philippians 4:4-8
No Joy in Infidelity or Worldliness	S. Martin.	Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoicing in Christ	R. J. McGhee, A. M.	Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoicing in God	W. Nevins, D. D.	Philippians 4:4-8
Spiritual Mindedness	C. J. Deems, D. D.	Philippians 4:4-8
Sunshine: a Talk for Happy Times	Mark Guy Pearse.	Philippians 4:4-8
The Christian's Joy	Canon Liddon.	Philippians 4:4-8
The Duty of Rejoicing	H. Melvill, B. D.	Philippians 4:4-8
The Happiness of Religion		Philippians 4:4-8
The Motive for Rejoicing	J. Hutchison, D. D.	Philippians 4:4-8
The Oil of Joy	T. L. Nye.	Philippians 4:4-8
The Sphere of Christian Joy	Canon Liddon.	Philippians 4:4-8
Three Elements of Christian Character	J. J. Goadby.	Philippians 4:4-8
Uninterrupted Christian Joy	H. Melvill, B. D., C. H. Spurgeon.	Philippians 4:4-8
Why Christians are not Joyful	H. W. Beecher.	Philippians 4:4-8
Divine Peace	D. Thomas	Philippians 4:7, 8
Avoid Doubtful Things	T. Guthrie, D. D.	Philippians 4:8-9
Categories of Morality	R. Finlayson	Philippians 4:8, 9
Christian Character	J. Lyth, D. D.	Philippians 4:8-9
Christian Life	J. Lyth, D. D.	Philippians 4:8-9
Christian Righteousness	J. Daille	Philippians 4:8-9
Christian Thought	J. Hall.	Philippians 4:8-9
Commendation	Archbishop Whately.	Philippians 4:8-9
Commendation Better than Scolding	Lord Lytton.	Philippians 4:8-9
Expansiveness of Christian Life	A. Macleod, D. D.	Philippians 4:8-9
Faith in Action	R. J. Lynd, B. A.	Philippians 4:8-9
False Measures of Truth	B. Whichcote, B. D.	Philippians 4:8-9
If There be Any Praise	Schleiermacher.	Philippians 4:8-9
If There be Any Virtue	Professor Eadie.	Philippians 4:8-9
Loyalty to Truth	B. Kent.	Philippians 4:8-9
Meditation and Action	V. Hutton	Philippians 4:8, 9
New Truth Unwelcome	Goldsmith.	Philippians 4:8-9
Praise from Others	J. M. Hare.	Philippians 4:8-9
Praiseworthiness	B. Grant, B. A.	Philippians 4:8-9
Purity Inculcated	Schiller.	Philippians 4:8-9
Soul Perfection	T. Guthrie, D. D.	Philippians 4:8-9
Spheres of Truth	W. Landells, D. D.	Philippians 4:8-9
St. Paul's Farewell	R. M. Stewart.	Philippians 4:8-9
The Difficulty and Importance of Continuous Thought	Dean Vaughan.	Philippians 4:8-9
The Esteem of Others	T. C. Upham, LL. D.	Philippians 4:8-9
The Meditation and Practice of Holiness	W. B. Pope, D. D.	Philippians 4:8-9
The Moralities of Christianity		Philippians 4:8-9
The Power of Purity	F. W. Robertson, M. A.	Philippians 4:8-9
The Transforming Power of Thought	J. Ogle.	Philippians 4:8-9
Thought	J. W. Bray.	Philippians 4:8-9
Thoughts	T. G. Horton, M. A.	Philippians 4:8-9
Truth Hath	B. Whichcote, B. D.	Philippians 4:8-9
Universality of Truth	Dr. Herman Masius.	Philippians 4:8-9
Whatsoever Things are Just	B. Kent., B. Kent.	Philippians 4:8-9
Whatsoever Things are Lovely	J. G. Rogers, B. A.	Philippians 4:8-9
Whatsoever Things are of Good Report	B. Kent.	Philippians 4:8-9

People

Clement, Epaphroditus, Euodias, Paul, Philippians, Syntyche

Places

Macedonia, Philippi, Thessalonica

Topics

TRUE, Amiable, Anything, Beautiful, Brethren, Brothers, Cherish, Deemed, Dwell, Excellence, Excellent, Finally, Gracious, Grave, Holy, Honest, Honorable, Honour, Lovable, Lovely, Noble, Praise, Praiseworthy, Pure, Report, Repute, Respect, Rest, Righteous, Upright, Value, Virtue, Whatever, Whatsoever, Wins, Worthiness, Worthy

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Philippians 4:8

     1065   God, holiness of
     1462   truth, in NT
     5191   thought
     5361   justice, human
     5362   justice, believers' lives
     5964   temper
     6241   seduction
     8242   ethics, personal
     8275   honesty
     8278   innocence, teaching on
     8310   morality, and creation
     8324   purity
     8349   spiritual growth, means of
     8662   meditation

Philippians 4:4-9

5467 promises, divine

Philippians 4:6-8

5334 health

Philippians 4:6-9

6705 peace, experience

Philippians 4:8-9

     5109   Paul, apostle
     5345   influence
     6185   imagination, desires
     8409   decision-making, and providence

Library

November 24. "I Can do all Things through Christ" (Phil. Iv. 13).
"I can do all things through Christ" (Phil. iv. 13). A dear sister said one day: "I have so much work to do that I have not time to get strength to do it by waiting on the Lord." Surely that was making bricks without straw, and even if it was the name of the Lord and the church, it was the devil's bondage. God sends not His servants on their own charges; but "He is able to make all grace abound towards us, that we, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good work." The …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

March 24. "And Again I Say, Rejoice" (Phil. Iv. 4).
"And again I say, rejoice" (Phil. iv. 4). It is a good thing to rejoice in the Lord. Perhaps you found the first dose ineffectual. Keep on with your medicine, and when you cannot feel any joy, when there is no spring, and no seeming comfort and encouragement, still rejoice, and count it all joy. Even when you fall into divers temptations, reckon it joy, and delight, and God will make your reckoning good. Do you suppose your Father will let you carry the banner of His victory and His gladness on to …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 24. "Let Your Moderation be Known unto all Men" (Phil. Iv. 5).
"Let your moderation be known unto all men" (Phil. iv. 5). The very test of consecration is our willingness not only to surrender the things that are wrong, but to surrender our rights, to be willing to be subject. When God begins to subdue a soul, He often requires us to yield the things that are of little importance in themselves, and thus break our neck and subdue our spirit. No Christian worker can ever be used of God until the proud self-will is broken, and the heart is ready to yield to God's …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

May 26. "Be Careful for Nothing; but in Everything by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving Let Your Requests be Made Known unto God" (Phil. Iv. 6).
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. iv. 6). Commit means to hand over, to trust wholly to another. So, if we give our trials to Him, He will carry them. If we walk in righteousness He will carry us through. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time." There are two hands there--God's hand pressing us down, humbling us, and then God's hand lifting …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

December 17. "Be Careful for Nothing" (Phil. Iv. 6).
"Be careful for nothing" (Phil. iv. 6). What is the way to lay your burden down? "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." That is the way to take His burden up. You will find that His burden is always light. Yours is a very heavy one. Happy day if you have exchanged burdens and laid down your loads at His blessed feet to take up His own instead. God wants to rest His workers, …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

March 10. "The Peace of God which Passeth all Understanding Shall Keep Your Hearts and Minds" (Phil. Iv. 7).
"The peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds" (Phil. iv. 7). It is not peace with God, but the peace of God. "The peace that passes all understanding" is the very breath of God in the soul. He alone is able to keep it, and He can so keep it that "nothing shall offend us." Beloved, are you there? God's rest did not come till after His work was over, and ours will not. We begin our Christian life by working, trying and struggling in the energy of the flesh to save …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

A Tender Exhortation
'Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.'--PHIL. iv. 1. The words I have chosen set forth very simply and beautifully the bond which knit Paul and these Philippian Christians together, and the chief desire which his Apostolic love had for them. I venture to apply them to ourselves, and I speak now especially to the members of my own church and congregation. I. Let us note, then, first, the personal bond which gives force …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Names in the Book of Life
'Other my fellow-labourers whose names are in the book of life.'--PHIL. iv. 3. Paul was as gentle as he was strong. Winsome courtesy and delicate considerateness lay in his character, in beautiful union with fiery impetuosity and undaunted tenacity of conviction. We have here a remarkable instance of his quick apprehension of the possible effects of his words, and of his nervous anxiety not to wound even unreasonable susceptibilities. He had had occasion to mention three of his fellow-workers, and …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Rejoice Evermore
'Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, rejoice!'--PHIL. iv. 4. It has been well said that this whole epistle may be summed up in two short sentences: 'I rejoice'; 'Rejoice ye!' The word and the thing crop up in every chapter, like some hidden brook, ever and anon sparkling out into the sunshine from beneath the shadows. This continual refrain of gladness is all the more remarkable if we remember the Apostle's circumstances. The letter shows him to us as a prisoner, dependent on Christian charity …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Warrior Peace
'The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.'--PHIL. iv. 7. The great Mosque of Constantinople was once a Christian church, dedicated to the Holy Wisdom. Over its western portal may still be read, graven on a brazen plate, the words, 'Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.' For four hundred years noisy crowds have fought, and sorrowed, and fretted, beneath the dim inscription in an unknown tongue; …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Think on These Things
' . . . 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.'--PHIL. iv. 8. I am half afraid that some of you may think, as I have at times thought, that I am too old to preach to the young. You would probably listen with more attention to one less remote from you in years, and may be disposed to …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How to Obey an Impossible Injunction
'Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.'--PHIL. iv. 6. It is easy for prosperous people, who have nothing to trouble them, to give good advices to suffering hearts; and these are generally as futile as they are easy. But who was he who here said to the Church at Philippi, 'Be careful for nothing?' A prisoner in a Roman prison; and when Rome fixed its claws it did not usually let go without drawing blood. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Farewell Words
'Now unto our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever, Amen. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me salute you. All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.'--PHIL. iv. 20-23 (R.V.). These closing words fall into three unconnected parts, a doxology, greetings, and a benediction. As in all his letters, the Apostle follows the natural instinct of making his last words loving words. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How to Say 'thank You'
'But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me. Howbeit …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gifts Given, Seed Sown
'And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving, but ye only; for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need. Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account. But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
The point to which I would draw your attention is this: that whether it be the general prayer or the specific supplication we are to offer either or both "with thanksgiving." We are to pray about everything, and with every prayer we must blend our thanksgivings. Hence it follows that we ought always to be in a thankful condition of heart: since we are to pray without ceasing, and are not to pray without thanksgiving, it is clear that we ought to be always ready to give thanks unto the Lord. We must …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 25: 1879

How to Keep the Heart
This evening we shall use another figure, distinct from the one used in the morning, of the reservoir. We shall use the figure of a fortress, which is to be kept. And the promise saith that it shall be kept--kept by "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, through Christ Jesus." Inasmuch as the heart is the most important part of man--for out of it are the issues of life--it would be natural to expect that Satan, when he intended to do mischief to manhood, would be sure to make his strongest …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Contentment
We, my brethren, might well be willing to endure Paul's infirmities, and share the cold dungeon with him, if we too might by any means attain unto such a degree of contentment. Do not indulge, any of you, the silly notion that you can be contented without learning, or learn without discipline. It is not a power that may be exercised naturally, but a science to be acquired gradually. The very words of the next text might suggest this, even if we did not know it from experience. We need not be taught …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

The Bible the Great Civilizer
(Fourth Sunday in Lent.) PHILIPPIANS iv. 8. 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. It may not be easy to see what this text has to do with the story of Joseph, which we have just been reading, or with the meaning of the Bible of which I have been speaking to you …
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch

Preface. And as to Christ Thy Lord
Preface. and as to Christ thy Lord, most comely "as the lily among thorns," being his "love among the daughters," Cant. ii. 2. so also, thou, in a special way, art the dearly beloved and longed for, the joy and crown, of every sincere servant of Christ in the gospel, Phil. iv. 1. Thou art, if not the only, yet the chief object of their labours, their work being either to confirm and strengthen thee in thy way, that thou mayest so stand fast in the Lord, or remove impediments, make crooked things …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Christmas Peace
(Sunday before Christmas.) Phil. iv. 4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. This is a glorious text, and one fit to be the key-note of Christmas-day. If we will take it to heart, it will tell us how to keep Christmas-day. St. Paul has been speaking of two good women, who seem to have had some difference; and he beseeches them to make up their difference, and be of the same mind in the Lord. And then he goes on to tell them, and all Christian people, why they should make up their …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 The Fellowship of Prayer (Philippians 4:6.) Chapter 2 Our Requests Made Known unto God (Philippians 4:6.) Chapter 3 God's Peace Obtained in Answer to Prayer (Philippians 4:6, 7.) Chapter 4 The Praying that Glorifies God (John 14:13.) Chapter 5 Praying without Doubting (Mark 11:23.) Chapter 6 Praying with Desire (Mark 11:24.) Chapter 7 A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer (Acts 4:31.) Chapter 8 The Intercessory Prayers of Christians (Luke 11:5, 6.) Chapter 9 The Three Essentials of …
T. M. Anderson—Prayer Availeth Much

Worry Versus Peace
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' (Philippians iv. 6, 7.) Before the full bearing and value of these verses can be realized, I think they require to be read several times over. Even if the sentences are read through slowly, just as they stand, a deep sense of blessing and rest steals into …
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

Jehovah
"That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most High over all the earth." Among all the names of God perhaps the most comprehensive is the name Jehovah. Cruden describes this name as the incommunicable name of God. The word Jehovah means the self-existing One, the "I am"; and it is generally used as a direct revelation of what God is. In several places an explanatory word is added, revealing some one of His special characteristics; and it is to these that I want particularly …
Hannah Whitall Smith—The God of All Comfort

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