New Virtues

Paul introduces some new virtues borrowed from the Greco-Roman world.

In the latter half of Philippians 4:8 Paul names the virtues which weren’t necessarily a part of Paul’s Jewish upbringing and not a part of Scripture until now, because now that Paul has included them they have become a part of Scripture. And that’s why I call them “new common virtues.”

Philippians 4:8b ESV - whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Let’s look at these four virtues one at a time.

whatever is lovely,

This is aesthetics. This, by the way, is the only place that this Greek word is found in the New Testament. It means causing pleasure or delight, pleasing, agreeable, and lovely. In the context of this passage it most certainly refers to beauty within the parameters of things that are honorable, pure, just and right.

“All beauty speaks of thee,” we sing, and it is true. All beauty is from God and speaks of God. All ugliness is the result of sin. Conversely, all sin is ugly, all holiness is beautiful,

Give unto the LORD the glory do unto his name;

Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.—Psalm 29:2 (KJV)

The universe is beautiful because God is beautiful. Think of that anytime you find yourself in awe of beauty. And take the time to notice the beauty that is all around us—in nature, in art, in music, in literature, everywhere. This beauty is only a reflection of his beauty. Next,

whatever is commendable

…or admirable. Here’s another word that appears nowhere else in the Bible. But Paul pulls it out of the Hellenistic virtues and Christianizes it for us. It refers to whatever is well thought of, or highly thought of in the culture around us. Again, we must take this in the context of the passage as a whole. And again we are reminded that all things well-done remind us of the God who does all things well. This would include excellence, craftsmanship, well-laid plans, ergonomic designs, ingenuity—think on these things.

Now, these last two virtues seem to be included to encourage the Philippians, especially, to look through the culture around them and sift out those things which reflect the imago dei, the God-image. They’re slightly redundant, perhaps for emphasis.

if there is any excellence, if there’s anything worthy of praise,

Beautiful architecture, beautiful music well-played, art, craft, story, poetry, athletic competitions. These are all worthy mental and imaginative pursuits. Paul has just said so.

It’s true that many people in Christian history, and some even today have argued for a rejection of some of these things as being “worldly.” And that’s a shame. More than a shame it’s a contradiction of Scripture. We need to understand that the negative use of the word “world” in the New Testament is clearly directed at that aspect of the world which is opposed to Christ.

Think about how the word “world” is used in the New Testament. On the one hand, “For God so loved the world,” (John 3:16). But then, “love not the world,” right? (1 John 2). “For God so loved the world.” “Love not the world.” Okay, so which is it?

Well, the word “world” is used differently in different contexts. God so loved the cosmos that he sent his Son, that all those who believe in him would not perish but have everlasting life. But, we are told to not love the world. Jesus said to love our enemies. Jesus said to love everyone, to love our neighbor as ourselves. And then we’re told to “love not the world.” What does that mean?

Here’s the distinction. When the Bible says to “love not the world,” that’s that aspect of the world which is opposed to Christ. We live in a fallen world full of people who are depraved in every raspect of their nature. Nevertheless, we cannot conclude that every activity these depraved creatures participate in is devoid of the God-image, the imago dei in which they were created. Paul says that to seek these good things out and enjoy them is virtuous. Secular pursuits can be godly pursuits when placed in their proper order and given their proper value. Anything can be an idol. But thought about and participated in with thankful hearts, these things are good. These things are what we were made for. Think about these things.

So take the list (verse 8), look at it, meditate on it and apply it. And then read the list in light of what Paul says next.