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
