Philippians 4:8
What does Philippians 4:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Philippians 4:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Philippians 4:8 means
Paul directs believers to dwell on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable—anything marked by virtue and worthy of praise. This is more than avoiding evil thoughts; it is the active cultivation of a mind shaped by God’s realities. Truth combats deceit; honor lifts what is base; justice seeks what is right; purity resists defilement; loveliness appreciates what reflects God’s beauty; good report considers what edifies. Such meditation forms character and stabilizes emotions. What occupies the mind eventually steers choices. In a culture pulling attention in many directions, disciplined, God-centered thinking helps believers remain joyful, gentle, and peaceful, fitting them to live faithfully in community and mission.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Finally, 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For the rest, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things have honour, whatever things are upright, whatever things are holy, whatever things are beautiful, whatever things are of value, if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, give thought to these things.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862As to the rest, brethren, as many things as are true, as many as <FI>are<Fi> grave, as many as <FI>are<Fi> righteous, as many as <FI>are<Fi> pure, as many as <FI>are<Fi> lovely, as many as <FI>are<Fi> of good report, if any worthiness, and if any praise, these things think upon;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline: think on these things.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things [are] true, whatsoever things [are] noble, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] amiable, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue and if any praise, think on these things.
Context
After promising God’s guarding peace, Paul shows how to sustain it: curate the mind’s content. This verse provides a positive filter for thoughts, complementing the earlier command against anxiety. Next, in verse 9, he will tie thought to imitation and obedience—urging the Philippians to practice what they learned and observed from him. The result is not only the peace of God but the God of peace himself being with them, deepening the relational aspect of stability and godliness.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Corinthians 13:7
Now we pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we may appear approved, but that ye may do that which is honorable, though we be as reprobate.
- Romans 2:29
but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
- 2 Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided: They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions.
- Proverbs 20:7
A righteous man that walketh in his integrity, Blessed are his children after him.
- 1 Peter 2:12
having your behavior seemly among the Gentiles; that, wherein they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
- Proverbs 31:10
A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
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