Bible verse
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 · BSB
Two verses earlier Paul said not to be anxious, and to hand it over instead. This is what he says to do with the space that leaves. The list is not a mood board — it is an instruction about where attention goes once you have stopped rehearsing the thing you are afraid of.
The words he chooses are worth noticing. True, honourable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy — most of these were the standard vocabulary of Greek moral philosophy rather than distinctly Christian terms. Paul seems to be saying that whatever is genuinely good deserves your attention, wherever you found it.
And verse 9 will not let it stay theoretical: "practise these things." It is not a verse about thinking nicer thoughts.
The verses around it, from Philippians 4.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
10 Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances.
12 I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need.
KJV
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.
ASV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, 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.
ERV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honourable, 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.
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Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is free of copyright restrictions for use on websites. Read the full Bible on Great Faith.