Week of June 19

“Miscellaneous exhortations” is how one Bible commentator entitles the latter part of Philippians. Of a truth, this is an accurate exegetical rubric to place over 4:1-9, but the wealth of content in our focal verse begs for you and me to reclassify it as “Specific Needs for Christian Living Today!” In fact, I believe that Paul would say, “I want you to internalize and apply these variegated truths under the unifying example of Jesus Christ.” Let’s zero in on verses 8 and 9 today and ask the Lord to instruct us and enable us to embody the principles contained within these words.

To be clear, Paul has indeed turned his attention at this point in the letter to various personal matters in the life of the church (cf. 4:2; Euodia and Syntyche’s fellowship). Richard Melick, for example, sees various exhortations in verses 1-11: “to steadfastness (4:1), to unity (4:2-3), to joy and peace (4:4-7), and to proper outlook (4:8-9)” (NAC). We need to recognize, regarding a “proper outlook,” that our focal verses (4:8-9) are linked to verses 4-7 and unite beneath a rubric of peace.

So, Paul writes that the peace of God will sustain Christians in hardship (4:7) and in 4:9 he writes that the result of proper thought life (4:8) will be the presence of the God of peace (NAC). Picture your entire life being enfolded in peace. This will help us to center our thinking in the proper context for Paul’s counsel and will aid us when we seek to apply the passage directly to our lives.

First, he summons the church to collectively focus its efforts on these matters (4:8) and God would rule in them. Then, individual Christians were to live their lives in the same way. Does this make sense? It seems like self-driving cars are in our near future, but this passage reminds us that we are to place our hands on the wheel of choice each day and steer toward these goals! Greek virtue (excellence), according to Aristotle, focused on fulfilling the role that one was created to fulfill. If I am a useful acorn, then I am to grow into an oak tree. If I am an excellent knife, then I am to cut well. If I am a good human being, then I am to fulfill my human potential. Paul zeroes in on a way to achieve this end to a worthy life—the practice of these virtues. The difference here is that the Spirit works these excellencies into us even as we work them out into our relationships. Here are steps toward fulfilling this moral responsibility.

There are two lists in the verses, and each is governed by a verb: “think about such things” (v. 8) and “put into practice” (v. 9). Simple enough. Regarding the former verb, we are to count on these things, meaning we are to chart our daily course according to them. Melick states that by using these two verbs, Paul combines the mental and the ethical concerns of his Jewish background with Christian thought (NAC).

Knowledge would lead to Christian living. There are seven qualities that characterize Christian thinking: true (ethical sense of truthfulness, dependability), noble (worthy of respect, honor), right (i.e., just, giving God and humans a justness that they deserve), pure (holy in relation to God), lovely (be lovable; be that which calls forth love), admirable (praiseworthy), excellent (morally excellent), and praiseworthy (worthy of praising God).

These characteristics would unite the church and provide the world with a powerful testimony. Paul turns toward the application of these characteristics and calls the church to practice what he lived out before them. He wanted them to use him as a model for effective Christian living. Wow! He assures them that God’s peace will reside in those who have “ordered their lives in accordance with God’s will” (4:9; NAC).

I recall being encouraged by a mentor, Elson Marks, to put this verse of scripture to memory when I was a college student. I was hesitant at first, but I soon discovered that it provided me with a very simple yet profound guide for living a fruitful life. Philippians 4:8 was life-changing as I began to see God transform my relationships by renovating my life! The problems in my life at that time were largely of my own creation and not the actions of others. God’s word, and my 4:9 mentor, Elson, provided the discipline through which God brought peace into my daily walk. Take control of the wheel of choices today and follow these virtues (mile markers) to arrive at the destination of God’s peace.

Join me in a brief ethics class. Aristotle, when writing and teaching on virtuous behavior, believed that having a moral exemplar in one’s life was needful to put into practice virtuous living. It may well be that Paul was calling the Philippians to follow his well-rounded moral lifestyle because he knew that it would lead to peace in their hearts and in their church community. Isn’t it wonderful to see how he handles a slight disruption in church unity between Euodia and Syntyche by encouraging everyone in the fellowship to practice these virtues? Let’s reflect upon ways that we may do the same.

1. Write down on a card or in your notes on your mobile phone the list of virtues that Paul states in verse 8 and ask the Lord to awaken you to ways to apply them throughout your day. At the end of the day reflect upon how these virtues have been an encouragement to you and to others.

2. For Families: Parents, this is a wonderful time to put Philippians 4:8 to memory and then teach the verse to your children and/or grandchildren (great grandchildren, too!) And you might use a modern translation for your small children.

“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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9)

Make sure to reinforce the scripture memory at mealtime or bedtime by talking about ways that these virtues helped you and them to have God’s peace during the day. Ask your little ones to draw pictures of ways to apply each part of this verse in their lives. Finally, of course, be their mentor by practicing these virtues in your own lives.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock