Philippians - Verse-by-Verse Biblical Exegesis

commands (Imperative mood) all believers to make it a habit to study and carefully reflect on
(Iterative Present tense) these things. He also sums these six characteristics up into two overall
categories: things that are virtuous (excellent) and things worthy of praise. He does this by using two
1 st class conditions in the form of a rhetorical question that assumes the answer is “Yes” or
“Affirmative.” It is part of our royal family honor code as Christians that we maintain divine
viewpoint thinking (Greek: logic) as characterized by supergrace spiritual prosperity. We do this by
strictly adhering to the protocol plan of God for the Church Age. Once we arrive at supergrace
status, we think internally and exhibit outwardly these virtuous and praiseworthy characteristics.
And by not stopping our progress there, and by continuing our forward momentum, our thinking
(Latin: cogitation) is directed towards “more of the same.”
REVELANT OPINIONS
The greatest area of sin in the believer's life is not of actions but the area of thought. There is a whole
classification of sins that we would have to call sins of the mind [mental attitude sin complex]. Satan
is attacking the mind. Therefore, "meditate, ruminate, and concentrate on these things." (J.D.
Pentecost) True things in doctrine and in life count, for they are bound to assert themselves as being
true in the end ... It is not a true thing that God does not care what we believe and how we act in
consequence. This is a damnable, destructive lie. So we may go on with doctrine after doctrine and
with the life it supports. Only the true stands now and forever ... Only liars sneer at them, refuse to
answer, respect, and honor them. (R.C.H. Lenski) The apostle implies that we have the power of
governing our thoughts, and so are responsible for them. If the thoughts are ordered well, the
outward life will follow. (B. Caffin) The mind of the child of God is to be occupied with Christ. (J.
Pentecost)
We have in this passage an example of a homoioteleuton – a deliberate play on the endings of these
adjectives; two end with “η”, four with an “α”. (P.T. O’Brien) The mature believer’s faith first takes
hold of a promise, then begins to think in terms of principle, and ultimately comes to doctrinal
conclusions … In the power of the operational divine dynasphere, the Church Age believer advances
spiritually and acquires the virtues of the humanity of Christ. (R.B. Thieme, Jr.) Negative anxiety
must be replaced by positive habits. After praying, believers must get involved in right thinking and
doing. (R. Gromacki) On the authority of the Word of God, I submit to you that the greatest conflict
being waged is not international, not political, not economic, and not social. The greatest conflict
taking place in the world today is the battle for the control of our minds. In the unseen world a
continuous conflict is going on between the Lord Jesus Christ and Satan for control of your mind. (J.
Pentecost)
He was lovely which means “gracious.” Virtue has to do with strength and courage. (J. McGee) My
friend, only the Word of God can bring strength to you. You need physical food when you are weak;
you need bread and meat to give you strength. The Word of God is your spiritual bread and meat.
The only way to grow spiritually is to spend time in the Word of God. It is the Word that reveals
Jesus Christ. I believe He is on every page of Scripture if only we have eyes to see Him. We need to
see Him. (J. McGee) You “concentrate on virtue” by concentrating on Bible doctrine; doctrine