Whatever is lovely …think about such things.
Summary: Paul’s use of words continues to challenge translators and readers alike.
What do you think of when you hear the word “lovely?”
If you look up this verse in all the available English translations, you will find that most of them use the word “lovely” just like the NIV does. A few use other words like “right,” or “commendable.”
The actual word Paul used was “prosphilḗs.” Strong’s Lexicon defines it as, “friendly towards, i.e. acceptable:—lovely.”*
I feel that our English word “lovely” is somehow missing the mark.
The Greek word appears to refer to a particular kind of friendliness.† The English word “lovely” tends to be used to refer to physical beauty.
Which do you think Paul is referring to?
Let me ask the question another way: What do you think “lovely” means in godly terms?
It is not about physical beauty, is it?
Paul writes about this in his letter to Timothy:
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” (1 Timothy 2:9-10)
Peter adds, “…beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes” (1 Peter 3:3).
So what does Paul mean by “lovely?”
A flower is lovely because it is exactly as God made it.
A little lamb can be lovely because it is small, innocent, and cute. (A baby is lovely for the same reasons!)
An act of kindness can be lovely, too.
The good that comes from being godly is lovely, and perhaps that is all we need to know.
Application: Think about the right kind of “lovely” things.
Food for Thought: How does the Holy Spirit help us discern the difference between the godly and the worldly?
*”G4375 – prosphilēs – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 2 Dec, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4375/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
†”G5368 – phileō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 2 Dec, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5368/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. These are all attributes that reflect the character of Christ of which the world is lacking. The Spirit produces in us what is godly, while the produce of the world is normally of the flesh. Probably the best passage I can think of to express how the Spirit helps us discern between the godly and the worldly is Galatians 5: 13 – 26:
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh a ; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” b 15If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever c you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Thank you, Rich!
Dare I say that your comment is both appropriate and “lovely?” 🙂
Very good response Rich!
How does the Holy Spirit help us discern the difference between the godly and the worldly?
God has given us His Word. Contained within it is truth, and the Holy Spirit breathes life into the truth. Discerning the difference between the godly and the worldly requires us to maintain and honest relationship with Christ. Examining our desires and motives to discern whether we are submitting to Him and His Will, or if we are pursuing self-gratification, self-preservation, or self-edification. If we take a moment and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to us, He will guide us to it through God’s Word.
John 16:13
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
This is made possible by accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior, accepting the gift of salvation, and relinquishing our own way to follow His. It is made possible by reading the Word, by praying in humility and submission. By accepting the truth and acting on it in faith.
1 Corinthians 2:12
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Pursuing the Godly way, leads to love. The kind of love where life grows abundant. We can recognize God’s hand in our life by the hope that surrounds His way. The love of the world always leads to destruction. There is a recognizable finality to it, we can see that it is a temporary and a hopeless endeavor.
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Thanks, Chris!
I love how you put this: God’s Spirit guides us through his Word.
Well said!
I am still here.
Yay!!
Thanks, Paul!!
I love it when you check in! 🙂