"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
— Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Philippians 4:8 is the "whatever is true... think about such things" verse, from the last chapter of Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. This page gives the verse, where it sits in Philippians 4, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about meditation, Bible verses about purity, and Bible verses about anxiety.
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The verse
The King James reads: "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."
"True" is alethes (G227). "Noble" (KJV "honest") is semnos (G4586), worthy of respect. "Right" (KJV "just") is dikaios (G1342), and "pure" is hagnos (G53). "Lovely" is prosphiles (G4375), pleasing or winsome, and "admirable" (KJV "of good report") is euphemos (G2163). "Excellent" (KJV "virtue") is arete (G703) and "praiseworthy" is epainos (G1868). "Think about" is logizomai (G3049), to reckon, weigh, or keep counting on.
Where it sits in Philippians 4
Just before it, Paul tells the church, "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 4:4), and then, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).
Verse 8 tells them what to fill those guarded minds with. Verse 9 adds the doing: "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." A few lines later comes "I can do all this through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:13).
What the verse is saying
Paul does not only tell the Philippians what to stop worrying about. He gives them something to think about instead. The list is not a set of rules. It is a description of what is worth dwelling on: what is true, worthy of respect, right, clean, lovely, and well spoken of.
The verb logizomai is an accounting word. It means to take stock of something and keep it in view. In verses 6 and 7, the peace of God guards the mind. In verses 8 and 9, the mind dwells on what is good and puts it into practice, and the God of peace is with them. For a related call to a changed mind, see Romans 12:2.
Questions people ask
What does Philippians 4:8 say?
In the NIV it says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." The KJV ends, "think on these things."
What does Philippians 4:8 mean?
It is Paul's instruction to keep your mind on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. It follows his call not to be anxious but to pray (Philippians 4:6-7), so it tells believers what to think about in place of worry.
What are the eight things in Philippians 4:8?
Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable, and anything that is excellent or praiseworthy. The KJV words are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtue, and praise.
What comes after Philippians 4:8?
Verse 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."
What other verses are like Philippians 4:8?
Romans 12:2 (be transformed by the renewing of your mind), Isaiah 26:3 (perfect peace for the steadfast mind), and Psalm 19:14 (let the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight) are close companions.
