Philippians 4:4-9

PHILIPPIANS 4:4-9, An Exhortation to Various Duties

4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Rejoice: 1) To be delighted, pleased, glad. 2) To be cheerful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off (i.e., having good success). 3) To experience joy and gladness in a high degree. 4) To be exhilarated with lively and pleasurable sensations, to exult. 5) The delight and satisfaction of the reasonable soul in its union with God in Christ, as the greatest and highest good, with an actual rejoicing in what is for His honor and glory.

in [denotes being or remaining within, with the primary idea of rest and continuance] the Lord: Supreme in authority, Christ.

alway: 1) Always, ever, every when, constantly, at all times, continually; even amidst the afflictions now distressing you (1:28-30). 2) The mention of believers’ names being recorded in heaven (verse 3) causes the author to write rejoice in the Lord alway. Harmony among church members, as Paul assumes will be the result of his plea in verses 2-3, is another reason to rejoice. 3) For there is always cause and matter for rejoicing in Christ, even in times of affliction, distress, and persecution; since He is always the same; His grace is always sufficient, etc.

and again [i.e., once more, furthermore, another time] I say, Rejoice: 1) Or, “again, I always say, rejoice”. 2) He had already said “rejoice” (3:1). Joy is the predominant feature of this epistle. In adding this it is as though Paul looks into the future, considers all possibilities of sorrow, and in spite of them repeats “the command”. 3) This command to rejoice at all times and in all circumstances is nothing less than a call to faith. For if the Christian believes that his life and all his circumstances are in the hands of a sovereign, wise and loving God who is always working to accomplish good for him, then he can indeed “rejoice always”.

COMMANDMENT. Enjoining: Joyfulness, Romans 12:12; Philippians 3:1, 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16.

CHRISTIAN GRACE. Joyfulness, John 16:24, 17:13; Galatians 5:22; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16.

JOY. Enjoined, Deuteronomy 12:18; Nehemiah 8:10; Psalms 2:11, 5:11, 32:11, 68:3, 97:12, 100:1-2, 105:3, 43, 149:2, 5; Joel 2:23; Luke 2:10, 6:23, 10:20; Romans 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:16.

4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand.

Let … be known: 1) To become known or acquainted with, i.e., in your conduct to all. 2) Let nothing inconsistent with “moderation” be seen. 3) Let this grace “be known” to men in acts; exercised and practiced publicly, that it might be seen and known of all, and God might be glorified, by whose name they were called, through their agreeable conversation among men (Matthew 5:16).

COMMANDMENT. Enjoining: Discreet conduct, Romans 12:17; Ephesians 4:1-3, 5:15-16; Philippians 1:27, 4:5; 1 Peter 2:11-12.

your moderation: 1) Appropriate, i.e., mild, gentle, considerate. 2) Mildness, gentleness, fairness. 3) “Graciousness” or “sweet reasonableness”, i.e., not insisting on just rights; forbearance. 4) Candor and gentleness and good temper and to judge charitably. 5) Your tolerance, clemency; yieldingness, reasonableness of dealing, consideration for others, not urging one’s rights to the uttermost, but waiving a part; thereby rectifying the injustices of justice. 6) Including candor and kindliness, joy in the Lord raises us above rigorism towards others. The believer who is at peace with his fellow Christian (verse 2) and who rejoices always (verse 4) is indeed a gracious person.

PATIENCE. Commended, Ecclesiastes 7:8-9. Enjoined, Psalms 37:7-9; Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 4:5; Colossians 3:12-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:21-25; Titus 2:2; Hebrews 12:1; James 5:7-8; 2 Peter 1:5-6.

unto all men: not only to our relations, friends, and acquaintances; but to neighbors, to strangers, of whatsoever religion, even to our enemies at all times (Matthew 25:35-40; Galatians 6:10).

the Lord is at hand: 1) Nigh or near at hand, within reach, not far distant. 2) He is ready to help; very present in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1) as well as other situations. 3) His coming again speedily is the motive to every Christian grace (James 3:20-21, 5:8-9); He is omnipresent, and sees and observes the conduct of His people and their deportment in the world, and to one another. 4) Our Lord cometh, if of time; or Jesus is passing by (Luke 18:37).

RIGHT PRAYING: PRAYER, SUPPLICATION AND THANKSGIVING

4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Be careful: 1) To be anxious about, to have anxious or distracting care; to be pulled in different directions; to worry or have anxiety, be concerned or distressed. 2) Saints should not be anxiously, or in a distressing manner concerned of the things of this world but should be content and cast their care upon the Lord, and carry every case to Him and leave it there. 3) From the spiritual point of view, worry is wrong thinking (the mind) and wrong feeling (the heart) about circumstances, people and things. Worry is the greatest thief of joy.

for [ i.e., about] nothing: i.e., not even one thing, not at all, in no respect.

Be careful for nothing: 1) In nothing be anxious, don’t worry about anything. 2) The Lord’s nearness leads Paul to forbid his readers from worrying. This is no summons to irresponsibility or an invitation to dismiss legitimate concern. 3) “Take no thought for your life”, that is, avoid anxious care and distracting thoughts in the difficulties of life. It is the duty and interest of Christians to live without care.

COMMANDMENT. Forbidding: Anxiety, Matthew 6:25-34, 10:19-23; Luke 12:11, 22:32; John 14:27; Philippians 4:6.

ANXIETY. Forbidden, Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-28; Philippians 4:6. Unavailing, Psalms 39:6, 127:2; Matthew 6:27; Luke 12:25-26. Proceeds from unbelief, Matthew 6:26, 28-30; Luke 12:24, 27-28. Martha rebuked for, Luke 10:40-41. Remedy for, Psalm 37:5, 55:22; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 5:6-7.

BORROWING TROUBLE. Forbidden, Matthew 6:25-34; John 14:1; Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7.

but: Used to mark opposition, interruption or transition.

in everything: 1) Of every case or respect which should be brought to God: whether it be of a temporal or spiritual kind, relating to body or soul, to ourselves or others, to our families, relations or acquaintances, the church or the world. 2) The solution to undue anxiety is prayer “in any matter of life”. 3) The way to be free of anxiety is to be prayerful about everything. 4) Talking to God about everything that concerns us and Him is the first step to victory over worry.

by: Through, or with, denoting the agent, means or instrument or cause. This use answers to that of the Latin per, through, denoting a passing, acting, agency or instrumentality.

[your] prayer: 1) Speaking out to, prayer towards (restricted to prayer to God, and marking the power of Him, whom we invoke). 2) Prayer offered to God, having regard to the power of Him who is invoked and giving prominence to personal devotion. 3) An offering up of our desires to God for things lawful and needful, with a humble confidence to obtain them through the alone mediation of Christ; to the praise of the mercy, truth, and power of God. It is our mental or vocal, ejaculatory or occasional; either private or public; for ourselves or others; for the procuring of good things, or the removing or preventing of things evil. The parts of prayer are said to be invocation, adoration, confession, petition, pleading, dedication, thanksgiving, and blessing. 4) In worship, a solemn address to the Supreme Being, consisting of adoration, or an expression of our sense of God’s glorious perfections, confession of our sins, supplication for mercy and forgiveness, intercession for blessings on others, and thanksgiving, or an expression of gratitude to God for His mercy and benefits. 5) Prayer for blessings, the general term; general prayer and requests to God; the offering up of our desires to God, or making them known to Him.

COMMANDMENT. Enjoining: Prayer, Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 7:7-11; Luke 11:9-13; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; 1 Timothy 2:8.

PRAYER. Enjoined, 1 Chronicles 16:11, 35; Psalms 105:3-4; Isaiah 55:6; Lamentations 3:41; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 1:18; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; 1 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 4:16.

and [your] supplication: 1) Want, need; then the expression of need; urgent request, supplication (petition); marking especially our need and insufficiency; seeking aid in special necessity. 2) A petition for a special object; having regard to our necessity rather than to God’s sufficiency to supply it: giving prominence to personal need (equivalent to a written petition in English). 3) A seeking, entreating of God; supplication to avert ill; a special term, suppliant entreaty; prayer for particular benefits, petition for oneself; special prayer; a wanting or need, then, an asking, entreaty; an earnest sharing of our needs and problems. 4) Supplication is not a matter of carnal energy but of spiritual intensity (Romans 15:30; Colossians 4:12).

with [i.e., in company with, accompanied by] [your] thanksgiving: 1) Gratitude, i.e., active grateful language (to God as an act of worship). 2) An acknowledging and confessing, with gladness, the benefits and mercies which God bestows either upon ourselves or others. 3) The act of rendering thanks or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies. 4) Thanks, i.e., the expression of gratitude to God; after adoration and supplication comes appreciation, giving thanks to God (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:15-17). 5) We must not only seek supplies of good, but acknowledge receipts of mercy. 6) Grateful acknowledgements of what we have (received) show a right disposition of mind and our prevailing motives for further blessings. 7) For every event, prosperity and affliction alike (1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:1). 8) Thanksgiving gives effect to prayer (2 Chronicles 20:21), and frees from anxious carefulness, by making all God’s dealings matter for praise, not merely for resignation, much less murmuring. “Peace” is the companion of “thanksgiving” (verse 7; Colossians 3:15).

THANKFULNESS. To God, Psalm 30:4, 50:14, 75:1, 92:1, 97:12, 106:1, 118:1; 2 Corinthians 9:11; Ephesians 5:4, 19-20; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 1:12, 2:7, 3:15-17, 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:1; Hebrews 13:15.

let [i.e., to give leave or power by a positive act] … be made known: To declare, reveal; openly communicate, freely and fully, in a private manner.

your requests: 1) Specific petition for a particular thing, thing asked for, object sought; 2) Prayer, the expression of desire to the Almighty; 3) Specific details of supplication; 4) All your specific case; 5) With filial, unreserved confidence, not keeping anything back, as too great or too small to bring before God.

unto [i.e., towards, of literal and mental direction, in reference to, in order to, with a view to, as an end (marking the ultimate purpose); in your intercourse with] God: The Father, as the revealed God.

RIGHT PRAYING CONSEQUENCE

4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

And [i.e., the sure consequence of thus laying everything before God in “prayer … thanksgiving”] the peace of God [i.e., coming from and resting in God (John 14:27, 16:33)]: 1) The peace which God has, as being free from all anxiety and care, and arising from His perfectly knowing the future. In proportion, therefore, as we “make known our requests” unto Him, a measure of the peace which He has will “keep” us from being “careful” (= full of care), see Isaiah 26:34. 2) Peace is the blessing of which God alone is the Author (Job 25:2; Psalms 147:14; Isaiah 45:7). He, being the Author of peace, is the only One that can bestow it upon the righteous (Genesis 15:15; 2 Kings 22:20; Psalms 37:37, 119:165; Proverbs 3:2) [compare James 3:18; Psalms 4:8; Job 5:23; Isaiah 32:17]. The peace which God gives is never to be identified with selfish unconcern (compare 1 Corinthians 7:15; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 3:15). God’s peace is independent of outside conditions and is the fruit [of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22)] of an objective, real salvation with God. 3) Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquility, calmness, quiet of conscience. 4) The “peace of God” is that tranquility of mind freeing the believer from fear and worry. On the “peace of God”, note also Isaiah 26:3, 30:7, 15, 18, 40:28-31; John 14:27; Colossians 3:15.

SPIRITUAL PEACE. From God, Job 34:29; Psalms 29:11, 72:3, 7, 85:8; Jeremiah 33:6; Haggai 2:9; Romans 15:13, 33, 16:20; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Philippians 4:7, 9; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 3; Hebrews 13:20-21; Revelation 1:4. SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS. Peace, Isaiah 26:12, 57:19; Malachi 4:2; Philippians 4:7.

PROMISES. To the righteous, Job 17:9, 36:11; Psalms 1:1-3, 34:7, 22, 37:4-5, 55:22, 119:1, 5, 105, 138:8, 145:20, 146:8; Proverbs 25:22; Isaiah 58:8; Jeremiah 17:7; Matthew 6:30, 33, 10:22, 42, 24:13; Luke 6:35, 18:6-8; Romans 5:9, 8:30-31; 1 Corinthians 2:9, 3:21-22; Galatians 6:9; Philippians 4:7; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Revelation 2:17, 26, 28, 3:5, 14:13.

which passeth: to hold over or beyond, to jut out over or beyond, to be better or superior to, to go beyond bounds, excelling, surpassing; to be better than, exceeding.

all understanding: the intellect, i.e., mind (in thought, feeling, or will); the organ of thinking and knowledge; especially of moral thinking or contemplation; here, every mind or thought; all speculative knowledge.

And the God of peace, which passeth all understanding: 1) Means, (a) peace divinely bestowed in times of anxiety, so wonderful that it exceeds one’s ability to understand it and (b) God’s peace for surpassing one’s own understanding of the problem, and his ability to cope with it and solve it. 2) Surpasseth all man’s natural powers of understanding it (1 Corinthians 2:9-10; Ephesians 3:20; Proverbs 3:17). 3) Either which passes all power of comprehension (compare Ephesians 3:20) or, which surpasses every human reason, is its power to relieve anxiety (compare Matthew 6:31-32). 4) The peace of God, the comfortable sense of our reconciliation to God and interest in His favor, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness, and enjoyment of God hereafter, is a greater good than can be sufficiently valued or duly expressed.

shall keep: 1) To guard, keep with a military guard, to keep or guard with power, garrison. 2) To be a watcher in advance, i.e., to mount guard as sentinel (post spies at the gates). 3) Hem in, protect. 4) “Shall guard”, as a well-garrisoned stronghold (Isaiah 26:1-3). Also used in 1 Peter 1:5. 5) Peace secure within, whatever outward troubles may besiege. 6) Mount guard over. God’s peace, like a sentinel, patrols before the heart. 7) The peace of God is said to garrison the believer’s heart and mind. He is surrounded by such blessed privileges that he is as safe as one in an impregnable castle or stronghold. 8) To guard, preserve spiritually. Christ will stand guard and protect our hearts and minds. 9) Shall guard. This is a military term for a sentinel standing guard duty. As Philippi was guarded by a Roman garrison, and its citizens were accustomed to seeing soldiers protecting the city, this word should be especially appreciated by the readers (i.e., Philippians).

your hearts: 1) The heart, i.e., the thoughts or feelings (mind). 2) The seat of the desires, feelings, affections, passions, impulses, i.e., the heart or mind. 3) The seat of the affections and passions, as of love, joy, grief, enmity, courage, pleasure, etc. 4) The seat of the will and affections, or of the Divine Spirit.

HEART. Seat of the affections and source of action, Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 12:33, 35, 15:18-20, 23:26; Mark 7:21-23. Is known to God, 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Kings 8:39; 2 Chronicles 6:30; Psalms 44:21, 139:1-12; Proverbs 21:2; Luke 16:15; Acts 1:24, 15:8; Romans 8:27; 1 Corinthians 3:6. Regenerate: Is penitent, Psalms 34:18, 51:10, 17, 147:3. Is renewed, Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalms 51:10; Ezekiel 11:19-20, 18:31, 36:26; John 3:37; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10; Hebrews 10:22; James 4:8. Is pure, Psalms 24;4, 66:18; Proverbs 20:9; Matthew 5:8; 2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Peter 3:15. Is enlightened, 2 Corinthians 4:6. Is established, Psalms 57:7, 108:1, 112:7-8; 1 Thessalonians 3:13. Is refined in affliction, Proverbs 17:3.

your minds: 1) That which is thought out, excogitated. 2) Purpose, project, device, the thoughts. 3) Understandings: the thoughts emanating from them. 4) The things which proceed out of the mind. 5) The understanding or judgment, whereby we distinguish between good and evil, lawful and unlawful.

shall keep your hearts and minds: 1) You will remember that Paul was chained to a Roman soldier, guarded day and night. In like manner, “the peace of God” stands guard over the two areas that create worry – the heart (wrong feelings) and the mind (wrong thinking). This does not mean the absence of trials on the outside, but it does mean a quiet confidence within, regardless of circumstances, people or things. 2) This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ; it will keep us from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and sedate, without discomposure of passions, and with inward satisfaction. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee”, Isaiah 26:3. 3) The guardianship is over the source and the issues of thought and will. 4) Keeps them though Christ as in a garrison, from being overset with the troubles of the world, or the temptations of Satan; and is a means of preserving them from being carried away with the errors and heresies of the wicked, having a witness to truth with themselves: and from every evil way and work, from profaneness and immorality; the grace of God teaching them, and the love of Christ constraining them, which is shed abroad in their hearts, to live and act otherwise.

through [i.e., in the power of, by; remaining within, with the idea of rest and continuance] Christ Jesus [denotes the now Exalted One, who once humbled Himself]: It is in Christ, our fortress (Psalms 18:2), that we are “kept” secure.

Daniel (Daniel 6:1-11) gives us a wonderful illustration of peace through prayer. Note how Daniel prayed: He “prayed, and gave thanks before his God” (6:10) and he made supplication (6:11). Prayer – supplication – thanksgiving! And the result was perfect peace in the midst of difficulty! Daniel was able to spend the night with the lions in perfect peace, while the king in his palace could not sleep (6:18). The first condition for the secure mind and victory over worry is right praying.

RIGHT THINKING

4:8 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.

Finally: 1) Literally, “for the rest”, besides, moreover, in this regard as I close this letter. 2) As to the rest or summary of exhortations as to relative duties. 3) Used to introduce practical exhortations or farewell injunctions by Paul, here they are resumed from 3:1. 4) Could be rendered “in this connection”, since verses 6-9 are related: verses 6 and 7 tell how to obtain God’s peace; verses 8 and 9 how to keep it. In order to keep God’s peace they must occupy their minds with the right things (verse 8) and busy themselves with the right activities (verse 9). 5) To close all with respect to the duties of Christianity incumbent on the professors of it.

brethren: 1) Brother, or generally near kinsman; then in plural a vital community based on identity of origin, i.e., life; then, out of this community of life springs also the necessary idea of a community of love. In plural brethren. 2) Men are so called by regeneration, and a profession of the same faith and religion.

whatsoever things: whatever things, i.e., how great things, as many things as, anything and everything that is, or all things that.

Here are 8 particulars placed in 2 fourfold rows; the former containing their duty; the latter, the commendation of. The first word in the former row answers the first in the latter, the second word, the second, and so on:

· whatsoever things are true … honest: True – in speech, honest – in action. A regard to truth in our words and engagements, to decency in our behavior, suitable to our circumstances and conditions of life.

· whatsoever things are just … pure: Just – with regard to others, pure – with regard to yourselves. Agreeable to the rules of justice and righteousness in our dealings with others and without impurity or mixture of sin on our part.

· whatsoever things are lovely … of good report: Lovely – and what is more lovely than the truth, of good report – as in honesty, even where it is not practiced. That is, amiable; that will render us beloved, and make us well spoken of, as well as well thought of, by others.

if there be any virtue … praise: If there be any virtue – and all virtues are contained in justice, if … praise – in those things which relate rather to ourselves than to our neighbors. If there be anything really virtuous of any kind and worthy of commendation. The apostle would have the Christians learn which was good of their heathen neighbors. Virtue has its praise, and will have. We should walk in all the ways of virtue and abide there, and then, whether our praise be of men or not, it will be of God (Romans 2:29).

whatsover things are true: 1) True (as not concealing or as contrasted with what is false, the opposite of a lie), genuine, reliable, trustworthy, valid; sincere, especially in words, conforming to reality; true in conduct, upright, honest, just; that which is in accord with the truth. 2) Unconcealed, manifest, open; hence, real, actual; that is true, whose appearance is no mere show, but is the reality it appears to be, that is true; whose utterance agrees with reality and does not conceal it; true as opposed to what is false. 3) All that is agreeable to unchangeable and eternal truth. Whether that which is to be learned from nature and the state of created things, or that which comes immediately from God by revelation. 4) Truth in word, action, and in thought, must be cherished. Christ is THE TRUTH. His followers must be truth itself. 5) That which is agreeable to the Scriptures of truth, to the Gospel the word of truth, or to the law and light of nature; and whatever is really so, in opposition to falsehood, lying and hypocrisy.

TRUTH, Psalms 85:10-11. Precious, Proverbs 23:23. Preserves, Psalms 46:11, 61:7, 91:4; Proverbs 20:28. Purifies, Proverbs 16:6; 1 Peter 1:22. Sanctifies, John 17:17, 19; 2 Thessalonians 2:13. Brings freedom, John 8:32. Righteous should be girded with, Ephesians 6:14; should know, 1 Timothy 4:3; 1 John 2:21, 3:19, 4:6; should walk in, 2 John 4; 3 John 4; should obey, Romans 2:8; should love, Zechariah 8:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; should rejoice in, 1 Corinthians 13:6; and should meditate in, Philippians 4:8.

whatsoever things are honest: 1) Venerable [i.e., worthy of reverence], i.e., honorable [i.e., deserving of honor and respect, esteemable]. In N.T. of things honorable, reputable; of persons, grave, dignified. 2) Worthy of respect, noble; grave, august, dignified, reverend, venerated, nobly serious. 3) Seemly or comely in bearing or action, reputable, dignified, just – toward others. 4) The Greek word points to seriousness and to self-respect in conduct. Represents not only earthly dignity, but that which is derived from a higher citizenship, a heavenly one, which is the possession of all believers. There lies something of majestic and awe-inspiring qualities in the Greek word which does not repel but rather invites and attracts. 5) “Noble”, Paul is speaking of those persons and things that are worthy of veneration for reasons of character and honor. Consider “noble” those who truly are honorable and who have moral character. May they occupy your thoughts and may they be your heroes. 6) Whatever is grave, decent, and venerable. Whatever becomes you as men, as citizens and as Christians. 7) Whatever is worthy of reverence. 8) In the sight of men; or grave or venerable in speech, in action or attire, in opposition to levity, frothiness and foppery.

whatsoever things are just: 1) Equitable (in character or act); by implication innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively). 2) Righteous; word used of things to indicate their right or conformable relation to justice and righteousness. 3) It denotes righteous, a state of being, right, or right conduct, judged whether by the Divine standard, or according to human standards, of what is right. 4) Whatsoever is agreeable to justice and righteousness, all things that ye owe to God, to your neighbor and to yourselves. 5) Strict justice in all dealings, an upright life. 6) Between man and man, or respect both to God and men; giving to God what belongs to Him and to man what is his due; studying to exercise a conscience void of offense to both, in opposition to all impiety, injustice, violence and oppression. 7) David would “meditate on [God’s Law] all day long” (Psalms 119:97); so should we. God’s law is statement of all that is right, and worthy of constant meditation. The motive, of course, for meditation on “whatever … is right” is that it would overflow from our thoughts into our lives. “Our character takes on the complexion and hue of our inward thinking.”

whatsoever things are pure: 1) Clean, i.e., (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect. 2) Pure, chaste, clean, pure from every defilement. 3) Chaste, in relation to ourselves; pure from every fault, immaculate, not contaminated. 4) Innocent, blameless. 5) Old word for all sorts of purity. There are clean things, thoughts, words, and deeds. 6) Purity is the previously mentioned “right”ness [just] acted out in life. Thus meditation upon what is “pure” is continuation of meditation upon what is “right”. It is the meditation on how best to apply in one’s life what is right. 7) Whatsoever is chaste in reference to the state of the mind, and to the acts of the body. 8) Chaste lives and clean hearts and thoughts. 9) Chaste in words and deeds, in opposition to all filthiness and foolish talking, to obscene words and actions.

Purity of heart: Psalms 24:3-5; Proverbs 20:9, 21:8; Isaiah 1:18, 25, 6:7; 1 Timothy 1:5; 2 Timothy 2:21-22; Hebrews 10:2. Blessedness of, Matthew 5:8. Prayer for, Psalms 51:7; Daniel 12:10; Hebrews 9:13-14.

whatsoever things are lovely: 1) Friendly towards, i.e., acceptable; pleasing; winsome; dear to anyone; loveable (compare Mark 10:21; Luke 7:4-5). 2) Adapted to excite love, and to endear him who does such things. 3) Amiable; that may excite love, possessing qualities which may invite affection; beautiful, attractive. 4) Whatsoever is amiable on its own account and on account of it usefulness to others, whether in your conduct or conversation. 5) Such deeds as spring from love and inspire love in others. 6) Loveable face to face: attracting love. 7) There is much that is beautiful in creation. Need I enumerate all the magnificent natural wonders? Need I describe the daily beauties of sunrises and sunsets, cloud formations, a night full of stars? Not to mention the beauty of the design of the natural laws of science and the design of the human body and its functions. There is much here to meditate upon. 8) Which are amiable in themselves, and to be found even among mere mortal men, as in the young man whom Christ as man is said to love, Mark 10:21; and which serve to cultivate and increase love, friendship, and amity among men; and which things also are grateful to God and lovely in His sight, in opposition to all contention, strife, wrath and hatred.

whatsoever things are of good report: 1) Well-spoken of, i.e., reputable (as in 1:27); admirable, appealing, praiseworthy, laudable, of good import. 2) Literally sounding well, fair-speaking, and so winning, gracious; uttering words or sounds of good omen, fair-sounding. 3) Worth talking about, appealing; fair-speaking, attractive. 4) Paul here is speaking of things and people who are rightly spoken well of. We personally come into contact of much that is worthy of meditation, but we also hear second-hand of much that is “admirable”. We must focus on that which is “admirable” when reading what others have experienced and written, and when listening to what others are saying. Stick to the “admirable”! 5) A life of which no evil thing can be truthfully said. 6) Whatsoever the public agree to acknowledge as useful and profitable to men; such as charitable institutions of every kind, in which Christians should ever take the lead. 7) As well-spoken of, and tend to get and establish a good name, which is better than precious ointment, Ecclesiastes 7:1; for through a good name, credit and reputation among men, are to be sacrificed for the sake of Christ when called for; yet care is to be taken to preserve them by doing things which may secure them, and cause professors of religion to be well reported of, and which is beautiful in all, and absolutely necessary in some.

if [i.e., followed by the Indicative Mood, the hypothesis is assumed as an actual fact, the condition being unfulfilled, but no doubt being thrown upon the supposition] there be any [i.e., someone or thing, a certain one or thing]: whatsoever, whatever; if anything is; if there be aught else which is …; whatever possesses; if they be calculated to promote the general good of mankind and are thus …

if there be any virtue: 1) Manliness (valor, i.e., courage, intrepidity, prowess, virility), i.e., excellence [intrinsic, (i.e., inward) or attributed (i.e., allotted, attached)], anything highly laudable, meritorious or virtuous in persons or valuable and esteemed in things. 2) Whatever virtue there is; of any particular moral excellence; goodness; human virtue in general; if anything is excellent. 3) As God calls us by His own virtue (2 Peter 1:3), so Christians are to exhibit virtue or energy in the exercise of their faith, translating it into vigorous action. 4) That which gives man his worth, his efficiency, his moral excellence; hence, good quality, excellence of any kind. 5) A virtuous cause of thought, feeling or action; any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity, etc. 6) Anywhere, among any persons, in opposition to vice. 7) Praise, excellence of any kind, goodness of action.

if there be any praise: 1) Laudation; concretely a commendable thing; praise upon, applause, commendation, approbation [i.e., the act of approving]. 2) Commendation bestowed on a person for his personal virtues or worthy actions, on meritorious actions themselves, or on anything valuable. 3) Whatever is praiseworthy; not that man’s praise is to be our aim (compare John 12:43); but we should live so as to deserve it. 4) Commendation corresponding to the moral value of virtue; the object of praise, something praiseworthy. 5) Anything that is praiseworthy among men, and deserves commendation, even though in an unjust steward, Luke 18:8, it should be regarded. 6) The sense of commendation, given to human beings by other human beings.

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise: 1) Lest he may have omitted some excellency he adds, “If there be aught else which is virtuous or praiseworthy, let these all be the things which you give your minds”. 2) If anything is excellent or praiseworthy – Paul, knowing that in his enumeration of things to think upon he was not close to being exhaustive, includes here a catch-all, so as not to exclude anything that is excellent or praiseworthy. 3) Whatever possesses virtue and praise. If it has virtue, it will motivate us to do better; and if it has praise, it is worth commending to others. No Christian can afford to waste “mind power” on thoughts that tear him down or that would tear others down if the thoughts were shared. 4) If the things be calculated to promote the general good of mankind and thus praiseworthy.

think on these things [showing proximity, i.e., these here aforementioned things, refers to the things which are nearest in place or order, or which are last mentioned]: 1) To take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively); to compute, calculate, reckon, regard, consider. 2) To muse or meditate on, i.e., to dwell on anything in thought; to contemplate, study, think closely or ponder; to turn or revolve in the mind. 3) To occupy one’s self with reckonings or calculations; hence to reckon or count, to reason, (use the reason) to think, consider, conclude; take account of. 4) Signifies make those things the “subjects of your thoughtful consideration” or “carefully reflect on them”. 5) Present middle imperative for habit of thought. We are responsible for our thoughts and can hold them to high and holy ideals. 6) So there is much that is approved by God with which to fill our minds. When you find your mind wandering into the trash of this world, turn to this verse, take it to heart, and fill your mind with the “excellent” and “praiseworthy”. 7) Esteem them highly, recommend heartily and practice them fervently. 8) Have regard to, so as to “do” these things (verse 9) whenever occasion arises. 9) If you will compare this list to David’s description of the Word of God in Psalms 19:7-9, you will see a parallel. The Christian who fills his heart and mind with God’s Word will have a “built-in-radar” for detecting wrong thoughts. “Great peace have they which love Thy Law”, Psalms 119:165. Right thinking is the result of daily meditation on the Word of God. 10) Meditate upon them, revolve them in your minds, seriously consider them and reason with yourselves about them in order to put them into practice. 11) Through this discipline, we program our minds with the right things; what goes into the mind determines what comes out in words, actions and attitudes. This is the biblical version of the “garbage in, garbage out; or wholesome in, wholesome out” cliché.

MEDITATION. On the Lord, Psalms 63:5-6, 104:34, 139:17-18. On the works of the Lord, Psalms 77:10-12, 143:5. On the law of the Lord, Psalms 1:2, 19:14, 49:3, 119:11, 15-16, 23, 48, 55, 59, 78, 97-99, 148. On the law, enjoined, Joshua 1:8. On virtue and praise, enjoined, Philippians 4:8.

“He that hath given us the faculty whereby we are able to think should be the principal object about which the power of it should be exercised.” – Stephen Charnock (1628-1680)

RIGHT DOING AND LIVING

4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Those things [i.e., these things here] which ye have both [i.e., also] learned: 1) Or, “the things also which ye have learned”; to learn (in any way), been instructed; to learn, intellectually from others, or from study and observation, to be informed or understand. 2) To increase one’s knowledge, or to be increased in knowledge, frequently by enquiry or observation; to learn with moral bearing and responsibility. 3) From my preaching and writing; from himself in a doctrinal way; increased their knowledge by learning doctrine or through study of the Scriptures.

and (have) received: 1) To receive near, i.e., associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); to take near, with or to one’s self, accepted; received in charge what is delivered over. 2) Metaphorically to receive into the mind, be taught; by faith, as a revelation from God. 3) By continual instruction; by meditating upon and taking as one’s own what is “learned” and “heard”; “seen” by observing the example of others. 4) Not only in their heads but hearts, had embraced cordially, with affection; in the love thereof, as well as given full assent to.

and (have) heard: 1) To have the faculty of hearing; to perceive with the ears, to understand or comprehend. 2) From my preaching and that of those who labored with me, in my private communications with you, and heard of me from other churches. 3) Either publicly or privately, from the pulpit, or in conversation, or had heard of him when absent, or from him while present.

and (have) seen in me: 1) To see: implying not the mere act of looking, but the actual perception of the object and referring to the mind and thought of him who sees. 2) While living and laboring among you. 3) In my life and conversation, which was well-known, and was a pattern to them that believe.

do: 1) To do, to practice, especially expressing it as continued or not completed, to do repeatedly, continuedly, habitually; to carry into practice. 2) Of a course of action or conduct, especially of duty or virtue, meaning to exercise, practice, put into practice. 3) Take them for the rule of your faith and practice. 4) Practice the same things which they had learned from him; as their duty, and had heard him urge as such, and had seen exemplified in him.

Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: 1) The things which, besides being recommended in words (Paul’s teachings), have also been recommended by my example, carry them into practice. 2) He turns from precept to example, the best of all teachers, and enjoins that they observe not only what he had taught, but what they had seen in his life. 3) Having spoken of what to think, Paul turns to what to do: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me” – put into practice. 4) Thinking right thoughts is one thing, doing right things is quite another. To meditate upon that which is “excellent” is important; to “put it into practice” is a necessary follow-up. 5) Paul balances four activities: “learned and received” and “heard and seen”. It is one thing to learn a truth, but quite another to receive it inwardly and make it a part of our inner man (see 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Facts in the head are not enough; we must also have the truths in our heart. In Paul’s ministry, he not only taught the Word but also lived it so that his listeners could see the truth in his life. Paul’s experience ought to be our experience. We must learn the word, receive it, hear it and do it. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only”, James 1:22 and “…but a doer of the work”, James 1:25.

EXAMPLE: Paul, our, 1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Timothy 1:16; 2 Timothy 1:13. In self-control, 1 Corinthians 7:7-8. In self-maintenance, 2 Thessalonians 3:7-10. In beneficence, Acts 20:35.

and [i.e., “and then”, as the result (verse 7)] the God of peace [i.e., the Author and Giver of blessedness] shall be with you: 1) Not only “the peace of God”, but the “the God of peace” Himself (the fountain of peace), “shall be with you”. 2) This is the way to have the God of peace with us – to keep close to our duty to Him. The Lord is manifestly with those who are with Him. 3) Here we learn, through meditation upon wholesome things, and putting sound teaching into practice, “the God of peace will be with us”. 4) So we may have the shield to both our hearts and minds in the “peace of God”, and the joy of the presence in our lives of the God of peace. 5) He who is the Author of peace, the Lover of peace, the Maintainer of peace, He who has made peace between heaven and earth by the mission and sacrifice of His Son, shall ever be with you while you believe and act as here recommended. 6) For He is manifestly with all who so live, to give that peace which is beyond the conception of a natural man, and the expression of a spiritual one, and is the great preservative through Christ; and to enable them to do and to continue to do the above things, and to keep them from all harm, and every enemy of their souls; to favor them with His gracious presence here, and with endless peace hereafter.