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Phil. 4:8 -
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.
Finally,
brethren, whatsoever things are true…
To close all with respect to the duties of Christianity incumbent on
the professors of it, the apostle exhorts to a regard to everything
that is true; that is agreeable to the Scriptures of truth, to the
Gospel the word of truth, or to the law and light of nature; and
whatever was really so, even among the very Heathens, in opposition to
falsehood, lying, and hypocrisy whatsoever things [are] honest;
in the sight of men; or grave, or "venerable" in speech, in action or
attire, in opposition to levity, frothiness, or foppery: whatsoever
things [are] just;
between man and man, or with respect both to God and men; giving to God
what belongs to him, and to man what is his due; studying to exercise a
conscience void of offence to both, in opposition to all impiety,
injustice, violence, and oppression: whatsoever things [are] pure;
or "chaste", in words and deeds, in opposition to all filthiness and
foolish talking, to obscene words and actions. The Vulgate Latin and
Arabic versions render it, "whatsoever things are holy"; which are
agreeable to the holy nature, law, and will of God, and which tend to
promote holiness of heart and life: whatsoever [are] lovely;
which are amiable in themselves, and to be found even among mere moral
men, as in the young man whom Christ as man is said to love, (Mark
10:21) ; and which serve to cultivate and increase love, friendship,
and amity among men; and which things also are grateful to God and
lovely in his sight, in opposition to all contention, strife, wrath,
and hatred: whatsoever things [are] of good report;
are well spoken of, and tend to get and establish a good name, which is
better than precious ointment, (Ecclesiastes 7:1) ; for though a good
name, credit, and reputation among men, are to be sacrificed for the
sake of Christ when called for; yet care is to be taken to preserve
them by doing things which may secure them, and cause professors of
religion to be well reported of; and which beautiful in all, and
absolutely necessary in some: if [there be] any virtue;
anywhere, among any persons whatever, in opposition to vice: and if
[there be] any praise;
that is praiseworthy among men, and deserves commendation, even though
in an unjust steward, (Luke 16:8) , it should be regarded. The Vulgate
Latin adds, "of discipline", without any authority from any copy. The
Claromontane manuscript reads, "if any praise of knowledge": think on
these things:
meditate upon them, revolve them in your minds, seriously consider
them, and reason with yourselves about them, in order to put them into
practice.
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