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Philippians 4:8f – Language Matters

A frozen bush with red berries on it (Pixabay)

…whatever is admirable …think about such things. 

Summary: Paul’s use of the word “admirable” can be taken several ways. By looking at the original Greek and meditating on the context, we can better understand his meaning. 

English is not Greek. 

That sounds obvious, of course, perhaps even “stupid,” but it is important. The reason it is important is that it is very easy to read an English translation of the New Testament and forget about the Greek. 

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Philippians 4:8e – Things That Are Lovely

AI picture of a lamb in a field of flowers (Pixabay)

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.”

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Philippians 4:8d – The Choice

A Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man look-alike reads the Bible. (Grok)

… whatever is pure …think about such things. 

Summary: Trying to tell ourselves what NOT to think about is doomed to fail. Paul’s solution is to redirect our thinking towards something without any worldly contamination.   

Paul is clever! 

There is a scene in the 1984 “Ghostbusters” movie where the four Ghostbusters are in the final battle with “Gozer the Gozerian.” After blasting the apparition with their “proton beams,” Gozer disappears. Thinking that they have “won,” the four heroes relax for a moment until the ground starts to shake and the building begins to sway. 

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Philippians 4: 8c – Things That Are Right

A man with a lantern follows a path inscribed with God's Word (Grok)

…whatever is right …think about such things. 

Summary: Thinking about “whatever is right” is really another way of saying that we are going to think about what God thinks is right. That is a good thing, but it is also good to be aware that not everyone will agree.  

So far, Paul has advocated for us to think about whatever is true and noble. Now he urges us to think about “whatever is right.” This sounds easy, but it begs the question, “What is ‘right’?”

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Philippians 4:8b – Things That Are Noble

Picture of a statue of Jesus on the cross, framed on Jesus head showing the crown of thorns. (Pixabay)

…whatever is noble…think about such things. 

Summary: Diving into Paul’s list of things to think about, he begins with the word “noble.” Looking closer, we discover that it has been a long time since we thought about this word.   

What kinds of things do you think about?

In our modern culture, we are bombarded with “things to think about” all day long. Ads on television and the internet scream for our attention. Vendors vie for our business by trying to get us to think about how much we need or want their products. 

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Philippians 4:8 – What Matters

Conceptual drawing of the Garden of Eden (Grok)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Summary: Paul’s instructions on what to think about reflect his understanding of what led Adam and Eve to sin in the Garden of Eden.   

There is a lot to ponder in this passage, but before we get into the details, it is useful to stand back and admire the whole verse. 

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Philippians 4:7b – Safe Haven

A small chick is held in a protective hand (Pixabay)

… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Summary: As we look at the second half of Paul’s verse about peace, we discover the dangers that confront us and how incredibly important the peace of God is.   

When Paul says “your hearts and your minds,” he is talking to you and me. Anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ is entitled to this peace that Paul talks about. 

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Philippians 4:7a – The Peace of God

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding…

Picture of a cartoon-like police car. (Pixabay)

Summary: In this passage, Paul begins a promise with the words, “peace of God.” To understand the promise, we first have to understand the words.   

When Paul speaks of the “peace of God,” he is not just spouting a platitude. He is talking about something very real and extremely important to Christian living. 

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