Phili 4:8 | JFB | STEP | 8. Summary of all his exhortations as to relative duties, whether as children or parents, husbands or wives, friends, neighbors, men in the intercourse of the world, &c. true —sincere, in words. honest — Old English for "seemly," namely, in action; literally, grave, dignified. just —towards others. pure —"chaste," in relation to ourselves. lovely —lovable (compare ). of good report —referring to the absent ( ); as "lovely" refers to what is lovable face to face. if there be any virtue —"whatever virtue there is" [ALFORD ]. "Virtue," the standing word in heathen ethics, is found once only in Paul's Epistles, and once in Peter's ( ); and this in uses different from those in heathen authors. It is a term rather earthly and human, as compared with the names of the spiritual graces which Christianity imparts; hence the rarity of its occurrence in the New Testament. Piety and true morality are inseparable. Piety is love with its face towards God; morality is love with its face towards man. Despise not anything that is good in itself; only let it keep its due place. praise —whatever is praiseworthy; not that Christians should make man's praise their aim (compare ); but they should live so as to deserve men's praise. think on —have a continual regard to, so as to "do" these things ( ) whenever the occasion arises.

Philippians 4:8

8. Summary of all his exhortations as to relative duties, whether as children or parents, husbands or wives, friends, neighbors, men in the intercourse of the world, &c.

true—sincere, in words.

honest—Old English for "seemly," namely, in action; literally, grave, dignified.

just—towards others.

pure—"chaste," in relation to ourselves.

lovely—lovable (compare Mr 10:21; Lu 7:4, 5).

of good report—referring to the absent (Php 1:27); as "lovely" refers to what is lovable face to face.

if there be any virtue—"whatever virtue there is" [ALFORD]. "Virtue," the standing word in heathen ethics, is found once only in Paul's Epistles, and once in Peter's (2Pe 1:5); and this in uses different from those in heathen authors. It is a term rather earthly and human, as compared with the names of the spiritual graces which Christianity imparts; hence the rarity of its occurrence in the New Testament. Piety and true morality are inseparable. Piety is love with its face towards God; morality is love with its face towards man. Despise not anything that is good in itself; only let it keep its due place.

praise—whatever is praiseworthy; not that Christians should make man's praise their aim (compare Joh 12:43); but they should live so as to deserve men's praise.

think on—have a continual regard to, so as to "do" these things (Php 4:9) whenever the occasion arises.