Paragraph 4:8–9

In this paragraph, Paul told the believers another way that they could achieve peace among themselves: they should keep their minds on things that are good and follow the example that Paul had already set for them.

4:8a

Finally: With this Greek phrase in 4:8–9, Paul was finishing this part of his letter, in which he was exhorting his readers to do certain things. This was not the end of the whole letter. Paul used the same expression in 3:1a. See note there.

brothers: The term brothers here refers to other Christians, fellow believers, not to literal brothers. You might translate this as “brothers and sisters,” “older and younger siblings” or “relatives.” The term brothers also occurs in 1:12, 3:1, 3:13, 3:17, 4:1. See the note on 1:12a.

In the rest of this verse, Paul listed the sort of things that he wanted the Philippians to think about, meditate on, concentrate on in their thoughts.

4:8b

whatever is true: This refers to things that are real or genuine. Because they are true, they are dependable. These things fit with the nature of God, who represents all that is true.

whatever is honorable: This refers to things that are noble, things that deserve to be respected.

4:8c

whatever is right: This phrase refers to things that God considers right and good, things that God approves. This is the Greek word often translated “righteous.”

whatever is pure: This refers to things that are free from sin.

4:8d

whatever is lovely: This phrase refers to things that people can easily love, things that are worthy for people to love. It means things that are pleasing to people, things that are agreeable.

whatever is admirable: This refers to things that people like and admire, things that have a good name or reputation.

4:8e

if anything is excellent: This means “whatever is very good.” Paul used the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as excellent in a moral sense, meaning something that is free from sin. In this sentence the word if does not mean that Paul did not know whether there was anything excellent or not. He knew there were many very good things in the world.

praiseworthy: This refers to things that deserve to be praised. People speak well of things they admire and approve.

General Comment on 4:8a–e

In some languages it may be hard to know how some of these eight things are different from one another, and so it may be necessary to combine some. For example, it may be possible to translate the Greek words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “honorable” and “admirable” together as “things that people respect.”

4:8f

think on these things: Paul concluded his list by saying that he wanted the Philippians to keep focusing on the things he had mentioned and thinking about them.

things: This does not refer to objects that a person can touch. It refers to what people say, what they do, what people think and how they act toward other people.

General Comments on 4:8

In some languages it may be necessary to reorder the verse in some way.

One possible reordering is to put 4:8f at the beginning of the verse as an introduction. For example:

Finally, brothers and sisters, these are the things you should think about: things that are true, things that are noble….

Another possibility is also to reorder the list itself. The last two qualities (4:8e), “excellent” and “praiseworthy,” are a sort of summary of the first six qualities. So in some languages it may be helpful to begin the list with these qualities. The Good News Translation has done this:

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable. (Good News Translation)

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