Philippians 4:8

 

 

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Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever is (3SPAI)  true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell  (2PPMM) on these things (NASB: Lockman)

Greek: To loipon, adelphoi, osa estin (3SPAI) alethe, osa semna, osa dikaia, osa hagna, osa prosphile, osa euphema, ei tis arete kai ei tis epainos, tauta logizesthe; (2PPMM)
Amplified: For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. (Amplified Bible - Lockman)
NLT:  And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  (NLT - Tyndale House)
Phillips: Here is a last piece of advice. If you believe in goodness and if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good.  (
Phillips: Touchstone)
Wuest: Finally, brethren, whatever things have the character of truth, whatever things are worthy of reverence, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are attractive, whatever excellence there is or fit object of praise, these things make the subject of careful reflection. (
Erdmans
Young's Literal: As to the rest, brethren, as many things as are true, as many as are grave, as many as are righteous, as many as are pure, as many as are lovely, as many as are of good report, if any worthiness, and if any praise, these things think upon;

REFERENCES

Wayne Barber
Albert Barnes
Brian Bell
Brian Bill
John Calvin
Rich Cathers
Steven Cole
Thomas Constable
Ron Daniels
Bob Deffinbaugh
Dwight Edwards
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Bruce Goettsche
Gregg Herrick
IVP Commentary
John MacArthur
John MacArthur
John MacArthur
Ray Pritchard
Grant Richison
Grant Richison
A T Robertson
Chuck Smith
Marvin Vincent
Steve Zeisler
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Precept Ministries
Philippians 4:8: Living in the Behavior of God
Philippians 4
Philippians 4:1 -9
Philippians 4:4-9
Philippians 4
Philippians 4:1-9
Philippians 4:8 The Christian's Thought Life
Philippians Notes
Philippians 4:8-23
Philippians 4:1-9 Stand Fast, Stand Together
Philippians: Earthly Conduct of Heavenly Citizens
Philippians 4: Caring Friends
Philippians 4
Philippians 4:8-9: Taking Control of Our Thinking
Philippians 4:1-9 General Exhortations
Philippians 4
Philippians 4:8 Godly Thinking
Philippians 4:6-8 Spiritual Stability
Philippians 4:1-9 Leave Me Alone I Can't Cope
Philippians 4:1-9: How to Have Joy All Year Long
Philippians 4:8b 4:8c 4:8d 4:8e

Philippians 4:8f 4:8g 4:8h 4:8i 4:8j
Philippians 4: Greek Word Studies
Philippians 4
Philippians 4: Greek Word Studies
Philippians 4:2-9
Philippians Illustrations 4
Philippians 4:7 Hidden Peace
Philippians: Download lesson 1 for inductive Study

FINALLY BRETHREN WHATEVER IS TRUE :To loipon, adelphoi, hosa estin (3SPAI) alethe: (Mt 22:16; Jn 7:18; Ro 12:9; 2Cor 6:8; Ep4:25; 5:9; 6:14; 1Pet 1:22; 1Jn 3:18)) (Ro 12:9-21; 1Co 13:4-7; Gal 5:22; Ja 3:17; 2 Pe 1:5-7)  (Macarthur exposition on Php 4:6-8)

Finally (3062) (loipon)  means literally “for the rest” or “for what remains” and in the present context means “as to what remains to be said.” This is Paul's second use of loipon in this letter (see note Philippians 3:1). Therefore, obviously loipon does not always imply one is drawing to a close but that there is a transition in subject matter.

As Paul draws to the conclusion of his letter, in this verse he deals with the greatest conflict that every believer encounters - the battle for the control our minds.

Solomon recognized this age long conflict when he wrote...

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

In Proverbs 23:7 Solomon wrote that...

As a man thinks in his heart so he is

Do you want to know what a man actually is? Solomon has just given us the "test". It is not what he says but what he thinks about! What do you think about most of the time? (compare Paul's command to set your mind on and seek "the things above" in Colossians 3:1 - note, Colossians 3:2 - note)

Believers are in a war for their minds, the world system continually bombarding them using every "weapon" at its disposal - books, magazines, billboards, television, movies, internet, etc. The goal of the anti-god world system is to control our actions by first controlling our minds. We've all heard the axiom "The medium is the message" but the real message is that the medium seeks to seduce our minds into its anti-god way of thinking, introducing distorted euphemisms like "values clarification" in which the individual determines the "values" by which he or she assesses what is "true and honorable", etc, neglecting of course the truth that God absolutely sets the absolute, eternal values. If you think this is "brainwashing" is not an ongoing struggle, then try this little experiment. Using a web search engine like "Google", enter the phrase "Values Clarification" in the query box (be sure to include the quotes). You may be surprised at some of the almost 200,000 hits you retrieve!

The ancient Greco-Roman anti-Christ, anti-god world was not any different from world system of today. And so Paul presents to us and to the saints at Philippi the antidote to counter the fiery missiles constantly coming at the believer's mind. The key word in this passage is Paul's command for us to "dwell" on the list of godly qualities in Philippians 4:8. (see more discussion on the critical verb dwell below)

William Barclay rightly observes that...

The human mind will always set itself on something and Paul wished to be quite sure that the Philippians would set their minds on the right things. This is something of the utmost importance, because it is a law of life that, if a man thinks of something often enough, he will come to the stage when he cannot stop thinking about it. His thoughts will be quite literally in a groove out of which he cannot jerk them. It is, therefore, of the first importance that a man should set his thoughts upon the fine things and here Paul makes a list of them. (Barclay, W: The Daily Study Bible Series, Rev. ed. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press)

In this list there are 8 "standards" by which every child of God can test whether their mind is dwelling on that which is worthy of consideration. This verse is worth committing to memory, so that it is available for immediate access whenever and wherever you find your mind!

Dwight Pentecost offers a practical thought regarding this verse noting that...

The greatest area of sin in the believer’s life is not the area of actions but the area of thought. There is a whole classification of sins that we would have to call sins of the mind. What was the first sin of Lucifer? It was pride. What is that? A sin of the mind. What is lust? A sin of the mind. What is covetousness? A sin of the mind. Greed? A sin of the mind. Suspicion? A sin of the mind. Discouragement? A sin of the mind. We could go on and on. Those sins are more real to the child of God than such sins as adultery and murder and theft. That is a testimony to the fact that there is a warfare going on. Satan is attacking the mind. Therefore this word of the Apostle Paul concerning the use we make of our minds is so relevant to us today: meditate, ruminate, dwell on these things. (Pentecost, J. D. The Joy of Living: A study of Philippians. Kregel Publications)

Pastor Steven Cole (his messages are highly recommended) introduces Philippians 4:8 with the following comments...

Mark Twain wrote,

What a wee little part of a person’s life are his acts and his words! His real life is led in his head, and is known to none but himself. All day long, the mill of his brain is grinding, and his thoughts, not those other things, are his history. (Reader’s Digest [1/93], p. 155).

I would modify Twain by saying that our thought life forms the basis for and is largely revealed in our actions and words. But Twain’s comments correctly affirm that our thought life composes a major part of who we really are.

Jonathan Edwards put it this way:

The ideas and images in men’s minds are the invisible powers that constantly govern them (source unknown).

Thus it is crucial for each of us to bring our thought life into submission to Jesus Christ by learning to think biblically about every aspect of life. One of the most helpful things I have learned about the Christian life is that all sin begins in our thoughts, which the Bible often calls “the heart.” Jesus said,

“That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man” (Mark 7:20-23).

No one commits these outward sins without first having committed them in his mind. If we want to grow in godliness, we must win the battle over sin on the thought level. In Philippians 4:8 Paul exhorts us to develop a Christian thought life.

His words should not be divorced from the context. Practicing verse 8 is essential if we want to develop and maintain healthy relationships (Phil 4:2-3, 5). A Christian thought life is also integral to a life of joy (Phil 4:4) and peace (Phil 4:6-7) in every situation. Since our thoughts form the basis for our behavior, a godly thought life is also essential for the obedience to which Paul exhorts us in Phil 4:9. Clearly, Paul’s thought life was at the heart of the contentment he had learned in every situation (4:10-12). So Paul is telling us the way to be whole people in our relationships with God, with one another, and within ourselves. But before we look specifically at what Paul is teaching and how to obey it, we need to think about:

WHAT PAUL IS NOT TEACHING: THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING.

I need to focus on this for a moment because the Christian world has been infiltrated with the false teaching of “positive thinking,” popularized by Norman Vincent Peale and, with only slight variations, by Peale’s protege, Robert Schuller. If you are at all familiar with the teachings of these men, you know that they are not Christian in any orthodox sense of the term, even though they both have been welcomed into evangelical circles. Through their influence, the idea has crept into the American church that it is wrong ever to be negative or critical. This has resulted in the loss of discernment...

WHAT PAUL IS TEACHING: THE CHRISTIAN’S THOUGHT LIFE SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON THE GREAT TRUTHS OF SCRIPTURE.

Even though Scripture is not specifically mentioned, it is assumed, because it is the only source for knowing what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and of good repute. (Read his excellent message Philippians 4:8 The Christian's Thought Life)

Whatever is true - true as to fact. What is true denotes the actuality of something.

rue ( 227) (alethes) is that which conforms to reality. In the final analysis whatever God says on any given subject is true! The unchanging God and His unchanging holy Word is the final test for truth. You do not have to look very closely to find the Lord Jesus Christ in verse 8 for Jesus said He was "the Truth" and each of these traits is true of Him.

In John 3:33 the Scripture attests that God is true to which Paul adds Who cannot lie. (see note Titus 1:2 ). So everything God says is true!

John records Jesus' words...

I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world.

And so God Who is true and cannot lie stands in dramatic contrast to Satan who Jesus described to the Jews who would soon try to stone Him...

You (Jews who refused to receive Jesus as their Messiah and Redeemer) are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

Paul described Satan as a deceiver writing to the Corinthians...

I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. (2 Cor 11:3)

In Revelation John records that...

the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

One who deceives seeks to cause others to accept as true or valid what is false or invalid.

From this introduction, it follows that a vital aspect of thinking on whatever is true means reading, memorizing (see Memorizing His Word) and meditating (see Biblical Meditation) on the Word of God. The remaining seven categories of virtuous thought are all based on the truth of God’s Word. All of them are ways to view the truth of Scripture.

Thinking that is true is not false or unreliable, but genuine and real. When a thought comes racing into (or slithers into) your mind, begin the test by asking is it true? This means we must know the truth ourselves which is why regular serious Bible study is vital to discern truth from error or deception. Now something may be true but still is not worthy of consideration. The last two statements serve as qualifiers "Is it excellent?". "Is it worthy of praise?" If not, then even though it is "true" it is not to be dwelt upon.

Barclay adds that...

Many things in this world are deceptive and illusory, promising what they can never perform, offering a specious peace and happiness which they can never supply. A man should always set his thoughts on the things which will not let him down. (ibid)

Pastor Cole reminds us...

Since as fallen creatures we are prone to Satan’s lies and deception, the only way we can know the truth and walk in it is to steep ourselves in God’s Word. We should know the Word so well that we automatically run everything we encounter through the grid of God’s Word. We live in a day that is geared toward emotions and strongly influenced by the supposed “virtue” of tolerance. Our culture assumes that love means being tolerant and accepting of everyone and everything, even if God’s Word plainly declares that something is an abomination. If you go with the flow, you will be carried far from God’s absolute standard of moral truth as revealed in His Word.

We also must resist the pragmatism of our culture, which determines the true by whatever works. If something works, which means, it brings you happiness (at least at the moment) or it accomplishes what you want, then it must be true. But God’s Word doesn’t always line up with what works. In fact, it’s clear that sin often brings pleasure for a season; if it didn’t we wouldn’t be so enticed by it. Many of the “positive mental attitude” methods are effective in making you a successful sales person. But the question is, Are they biblical? We must test everything by God’s Word, not by feelings or pragmatism. (Read his excellent message Philippians 4:8 The Christian's Thought Life)

Dr. Walter Cavert reported a survey on worry that indicated that only 8% of the things people worried about were legitimate matters of concern (true)! The other 92% were either imaginary, never happened, or involved matters over which the people had no control anyway. Satan is the antithesis of truth for he is the father of lies (Jn 8:44), and he seeks to corrupt our minds with his lies and deception (2Cor 11:3). His mantra remains unchanged after 5000 years - “Hath God really said?” (Genesis 3:1ff).

The Holy Spirit sanctifies our mind through God's truth, His Word...

"Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth. (Jn 17:17)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (See note Romans 12:2)

On the other hand, the devil tries to corrupt our mind through lies and deception. Whenever we believe a lie, we begin to walk in darkness, the kingdom of Satan! And so we see the importance of Paul's command to continually meditate upon the things that are true.

MacArthur has some insightful comments on those things that are "
true":

People no longer ask “Is it true?” but “Does it work?” and “How will it make me feel?” Those latter two questions serve as a working definition of truth in our society that rejects the concept of absolute divine truth. Truth is whatever works and produces positive emotions. Sadly, such pragmatism and emotionalism has crept even into theology. The church is often more concerned about whether something will be divisive or offensive than whether it is biblically true...Too many people go to church not to think or reason about the truths of Scripture, but to get their weekly spiritual high; to feel that God is still with them. Such people are spiritually unstable because they base their lives on feeling rather than on thinking...Salvation involves the transformation of the mind. In Romans 8:5 (note) Paul writes,

Those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh.”

Unsaved, fleshly people have an unsaved, fleshly mind-set. They think as fallen, unredeemed people. On the other hand,

“those who are according to the Spirit [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit.”

Their renewed minds are focused on spiritual truth. Consequently,

“the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6 note)....

Just as the believers’ initial act of saving faith leads to a life of faith, so also the transforming of the mind at salvation initiates a lifelong process of renewing the mind.

Wiersbe adds this practical note:

Wrong thinking leads to wrong feeling, and before long the heart and mind are pulled apart and we are strangled by worry. We must realize that thoughts are real and powerful, even though they cannot be seen, weighed, or measured. We must bring “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ" (2Cor 10:5).

Sow a thought, reap an action.
Sow an action, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny!

WHATEVER IS HONORABLE: hosa semna: (Acts 6:3; Ro12:17; 13:13; 2 Co 8:21; 13:7; 1Th 4:12; 1Ti 2:2; 3:4,8,11; Titus 2:2,7; Titus 3:14; Heb 13:18; 1Pe 2:12)

Honorable (4586)  (semnos) means worthy of respect or entitled to honor. It is that which inspires reverence or awe. It describes those things which are worthy, venerable, august, noble. The idea pertains to whatever evokes special respect. 

Semnos is used only 4 times in the NT, here in Philippians 4:8 and in the following passages all describing an attribute of a distinct group of people...

1 Timothy 3:8 Deacons likewise must be men of dignity (semnos), not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain,

1 Timothy 3:11 Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.

Titus 2:2 (note) Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance.

There are many things that are not respectable, and Christians should not think about these things. This does not mean we hide our heads in the sand and avoid what is unpleasant and displeasing, but it does mean we do not focus our attention on dishonorable things and permit them to control our thoughts. Believers are not to dwell on what is trivial, temporal, mundane, common, and earthly, but rather let their minds dwell on what is heavenly (cf our citizenship in heaven - see note Philippians 3:20), and so worthy of awe, adoration, and praise.

Barclay observes that the Greek word semnos...

...is difficult to translate. It is the word which is characteristically used of the gods and of the temples of the gods. When used to describe a man, it describes a person who, as it has been said, moves throughout the world as if it were the temple of God. Matthew Arnold suggested the translation nobly serious. But the word really describes that which has the dignity of holiness upon it. There are things in this world which are flippant and cheap and attractive to the light-minded; but it is on the things which are serious and dignified that the Christian will set his mind. (ibid)

Ask: Does that to which you are giving your attention have honest value? Does it  have the dignity of holiness upon it?

Wayne Barber describes this as

a lifestyle that tells everyone that we are under the Lordship of Christ. It is that which is decent. It is that lifestyle which is attractive to others. Without one's drinking from the well of Christ there will be no lifestyle that attracts others to Him.

Pastor Cole write that honorable...

This means that Christians are to take life seriously. We are not to be silly goof-offs, who treat life as a perpetual joke. We live in light of eternity, keeping in mind the uncertainty of this short life and the reality of heaven and hell. This doesn’t mean that we can’t appreciate clean humor. But our overall tenor should communicate to a lost world that they must stand before a holy God someday soon. Think on these reverent themes. (Read his excellent message Philippians 4:8 The Christian's Thought Life)

WHATEVER IS RIGHT: hosa dikaia: (Ge18:19; Dt 16:20; 2Sa 23:3; Ps 82:2; Pr 11:1; 16:11; 20:7; Is 26:7; Mk 6:20; Lu 2:25; 23:50; Ac10:22; Titus 1:8)

Right (1342)  (dikaios) refers to that which conforms to the perfect standard of God's righteousness. We know from Romans that the "good works" that God requires (they are "right") do not come from our good intentions, but originate out of faith that obeys. Dikaios describes whatever is in perfect harmony with God’s eternal, unchanging standards, as revealed in Scripture.

Ask: Does that to which you are giving your mind conform to the holiness of God? Is it intrinsically righteous, or is it tainted, shady?

WHATEVER IS PURE: hosa hagna: (1Ti 4:12
; 5:2; Titus 2:14; Ja 1:27; 3:17; 2Pe 3:1; 1 Jn 3:3)  

Pure (53)  (hagnos) is that which is free from defilement, stainless, that which will not contaminate, that which is "morally and inwardly" pure. The word refers to ceremonial purity, but also to the moral purity that is pictured by the ceremonial. It especially means keeping our bodies undefiled by abstaining from sexual sins (see 2 Cor 11:2; 1 Ti 5:22; Titus 2:5 (note); James 3:17; 1 Peter 3:2 (note); 1 John 3:3). The saints then, as now, were constantly attacked by temptations to sexual impurity (see notes Ephesians 4:17;  4:18; 4:19; 4:20; 4:21; 4:22; 4:23; 4:24). Paul gives a strong warning to every saint...

do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named (present imperative commanding this to be their habitual practice = to not to even pronounce the name! Or to stop a practice already in existence.) among you, as is proper among saints; 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them; 8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. (See notes Ephesians 5:3; 5:4; 5:5; 5:6; 5:7;5:8; 5:9; 5:10)

Barclay adds that when hagnos was...

...used ceremonially, it describes that which has been so cleansed that it is fit to be brought into the presence of God and used in his service. This world is full of things which are sordid and shabby and soiled and smutty. Many a man gets his mind into such a state that it soils everything of which it thinks. The Christian’s mind is set on the things which are pure; his thoughts are so clean that they can stand even the scrutiny of God. (ibid)

Ask: Will it defile or is it intrinsically pure? Will it corrupt your thinking if you give attention to it? Will it stand the scrutiny of God?

WHATEVER IS LOVELY: hosa prosphile: (2Sa 1:23
; Song 5:16; 1Co 13:1-13; 1Pe 4:8)

Lovely (4375)  (prosphile is a relationship word derived from pros = towards + philes = friend) refers to that conduct which is dear to someone. It is that conduct which is pleasing in it's motive and actions towards others.  Lovely has the idea of that which is admirable or agreeable to behold or consider. Who is the most lovely One ever to live? Jesus of course and it follows that we should think often of what He has done for us, is doing now at the right hand of the Father and will do in the future. Maranatha.

Barclay adds that...

Winsome is the best translation of all. The Greek is prosphile, and it might be paraphrased as that which calls forth love. There are those whose minds are so set on vengeance and punishment that they call forth bitterness and fear in others. There are those whose minds are so set on criticism and rebuke that they call forth resentment in others. The mind of the Christian is set on the lovely things—kindness, sympathy, forbearance—so he is a winsome person, whom to see is to love. (ibid)

Ask: Will this thing produce concord and rest and peace: Or will  giving attention to this thing produce strife either within you or between you and another brother? If the former, then as the saying goes "hold that thought"! If the latter, than cast it aside.

WHATEVER IS OF GOOD REPUTE: hosa euphema: (Acts 6:3
; 10:22; 22:12; Col 4:5; 1Th 5:22; 1Ti 3:7; 5:10; Heb 11:2)

Good repute (2163)  (euphemos is from eu = well, good + pheme = rumor, fame; English = euphemism) and refers to that which is well–spoken of, praiseworthy, laudable, highly regarded or well thought of. It is something or someone that deservedly enjoys a good reputation.

Ask: Are we concentrating on the good things we see in others or are we dwelling on their faults and shortcomings?

No Christian can afford to waste “mind power” on thoughts that tear him down or that would tear others down if these thoughts were shared. The believer must major on the high and noble thoughts especially as revealed in the pure milk of God's word and not dwell upon the base thoughts of this corrupt world.

IF THERE IS ANY EXCELLENCE: ei tis arete: (Ru 3:11
; Pr 12:4; 31:10,29; 2Pe 1:3,4)

Note the change in sentence structure introduced by "if". These last two qualities are more generic qualities and serve to sum up the preceding qualities.

Excellence (703)  (arete) (Click in depth study) refers to any preeminence (moral, intellectual, military). Arete is a term denoting consummate ‘excellence’ or ‘merit’ within a social context. To the Greek philosophers, it meant “the fulfillment of a thing.” Arete came to mean quality of life which made someone or something stand out as excellent. Arete never means cloistered virtue or virtue of attitude, but virtue which is demonstrated in life. When anything in nature properly fulfills its purpose, that fulfillment was referred to as “virtue' or moral excellence. Land that produces crops is “excellent” because it is fulfilling its purpose. The tool that works correctly is “excellent” because it is doing what a tool is supposed to do. A believer demonstrates moral excellence or virtue by living the way He now has the potential to live (possessing everything necessary for life and godliness, His precious and magnificent promises, partaker of His divine nature).

In short, arete was a term denoting consummate ‘excellence’ or ‘merit’ within a social context. Exhibition of arete invites recognition, resulting in renown or glory. In Homer arete was used primarily of military valor or exploits, but also of distinction for other personal qualities and associated performance that enhance the common interest. The term is a favorite subject in Stoic thought relating to morality.

Peter uses arete in his description of Jesus Who is the supreme manifestation of glory and excellence (arete). (see note 2 Peter 1:4). And then Peter calls saints to supply excellence writing...

Now for this very reason also (having everything necessary for life and godliness, having His precious and magnificent promises, so that we might become partakers of the divine nature, for this reason and with His divine supplies and promises), applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence (arete), and in your moral excellence, knowledge (see note 2 Peter 1:5) (Comment: Cole comments that "Peter uses it as a quality of God and thus as the first quality that we are to add to our faith (2 Pet. 1:3, 5). This means that as a new Christian, one of the first things you must do is to stop any behavior that is not in line with God’s moral virtues as revealed in Scripture, such as the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, and Paul’s list of the deeds of the flesh (see notes Galatians 5:19; 5:20; 5:21