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
In the closing of the Book of Philippians is a list of attributes of things to “think on.” One would be hard pressed to even think that any more human could pull off thinking on all eight items on the list. Here is the list of things to think on:
True – loving the truth, speaking the truth, truthful
Romans 3:4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
2 Corinthians 1:18 But as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay.
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Honest – venerable, grave, honest
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
1 Thessalonians 4:12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
1 Timothy 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Just – righteous, upright
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
Pure – revered, venerable, sacred
1 Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Lovely – acceptable
This is the only time that this word appears in this context in Scripture. It refers to “in person” appearance, and conduct.
Good Report – well spoken of
Report refers to the appearance and conduct of someone by others.
2 Corinthians 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
Virtue – moral goodness
2 Peter 1:3-8 – According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: [4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. [8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise – commendable
2 Corinthians 8:18 And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;
Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
In retrospect I can think of just one thing in the entire world which encapsulates all eight attributes. That thing is, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. When we look at the list we can definitely see that He is what is being described!
Have we ever known a single person, or thing, that even comes close? Maybe some people show one, maybe two, of the attributes mentioned. Even that would be a long shot!
We can definitely get in spiritual trouble if we use the content of Philippians 4:8 as a ”Sanctification Checklist,” rather than the general attributes of the Savior.
The same can be said regarding the “Fruit (not fruits) of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 5:9. Also, we need to look at the “Armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17) in the same manner.
As members of Christ’s Body we need to remember that we are complete IN Christ!
We all have in our possession the fruit, the armor, as well as the attributes of Philippians 4:8!
What are we to do with this great arsenal we have IN Christ Jesus?
The answer is the GOSPEL!
It is also knowing that part of being a new man, a new creature in Christ, is that we also have the mind of Christ, which should help us to remain focused on what matters.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. [15] But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. [16] For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. -1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Therefore, we are able to:
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. [2] Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. [3] For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. – Colossians 3:1-3
Bob Picard Pastor, God’s Grace Bible Church, Millbury, Massachusetts
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