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NASB | Philippians 4:8 ¶ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Philippians 4:8 ¶ Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God's word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. |
Subject: What are some examples? |
Bible Note: And yet, my heart is seeking a simple answer, a practical solution. "Whatsoever things are lovely": how do we judge whether a thing is lovely? My wife says a flower is lovely: the shape, the color, the odor it gives. If I ask her why she says they are lovely, she says anyone can see that. But I need scripture as a measuring stick. I think of the fact that God made it and said that it was very good (GenĀ 1:31). That means it is pure, ... it is of good report. We can sing a song of praise to it. So then, we can think of roses. "If there be any virtue" suggests that we can gain something, get some strength, from thinking of them. Is that what David was doing in Psalm 139, looking at his body so fearfully and wonderfully made? He had precious thoughts, of the thing made, and of the Creator, as he thought on those things. There may be nonmaterial things as well. Perhaps love is lovely: the love of a parent for a child, the lasting faithful love of a man for his wife. "Old man and woman", a song says, "a beautiful sight, still so in love, it makes the whole world seem bright". We can notice these things and think on these things. The love of God for us is a beautiful thing. It's greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell. It is rich, and pure, and measureless, and strong. We can think on these things. Perhaps you can find something good in what I have said here, and think on these things. Perhaps you can suggest other things. |