Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 (ESV)
The apostle Paul has given us a list of virtues to “think on and weigh and take account of—fix our minds on.” He ends this thought by adding “if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” He seems to be saying at least two things about this list of virtues. One is that all of the virtues in this list are excellent and worthy of praise. The second thing is that the list is not exhaustible. There are many more virtues worthy of occupying our thoughts and transforming our behavior.
In admonishing us to think upon excellence, Paul is meaning to ponder on anything with valor, praise or virtue. And he adds to that anything worthy of praise; anything that can be lauded, praised or extolled.
God desires for these virtues not only to be a nutritious diet for our thoughts but also a standard for godly character and behavior. Peter wrote that God has called us to his own glory and excellence and has granted us precious promises so that through them we can be partakers of the divine nature. He then exhorts us to add to our faith virtue (2 Peter 1:3-5). The Greek words for excellence and virtue that Peter uses in those verses are the same as the Greek word Paul uses for excellence in Philippians 4:8.
Virtue is defined as behavior showing high moral standards, moral excellence, good character and a pattern of righteous behavior. Peter goes on to tells us that we should supplement our virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love 2 Peter 1:5-7. James wrote that by our good conduct (behavior) we should show our works (James 3:13). As Christians we should make every effort to make the virtues laid out by Paul and Peter our goal for daily living. Albert Barnes commented, “Let them be the object of your careful attention and study so as to practice them. Think about what they are, think on the obligation to observe them: think on the influence which they would have on the world around you.”
In his commentary on Philippians, Dennis E Johnson wrote, “Paul urges us to fix our thoughts on themes that are not only intrinsically virtuous because God approves of them but also visibly virtuous attracting the approval of human beings who care about integrity, purity and justice.” In practicing godly virtues, we will not only be approved of God, but others will see God’s divine nature at work in us. God is glorified when his own glory and excellence are visible in our lives.
Scripture gives us a great example of an excellent life in the person of Daniel. In Daniel 5 it is recorded that an excellent spirit was found in him. His knowledge and wisdom made an impression on those who knew him. We read in Daniel 6:3 that even the officials that desired Daniel’s demise “could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.” Oh, that the church might have that kind of spirit and receive such praise from men to the glory of God.
Do you live a life of excellence? Are your thoughts and life worthy of praise?
Scriptures for meditation:
1Peter 1:15; 2:12