Page 60 - Biblical Ethics Course

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humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own
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personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ
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Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but
emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in
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appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

The major theme of pursuing Christlikeness, as the most defining element of spiritual growth and the one
passion of Paul in his own life, is presented in 3:12–14. Christians are called to love, compassion and humility.

Philippians 3:17-19 (NASB95)
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of
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Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their
minds on earthly things.

Right Thinking will result into right behavior.

Wrong thinking leads to wrong feeling, and before long the heart and mind are pulled apart and we are
strangled by worry. We must realize that thoughts are real and powerful, even though they cannot be seen,
weighed, or measured. We must bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

Sow a thought, reap an action.
Sow an action, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny!
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Philippians 4:8–9 (NASB95)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these
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things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God
of peace will be with you.

Paul wraps up his directives for the Christian life with one long sentence containing two appeals: think about
such things—the virtues of a good life (4:8)—and put it into practice—what they learned from Paul (4:9).

1. Whatever is true- True,” in the ethical sense as used here, means “truthfulness, dependability
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2. Whatever noble- it has the idea of “worthy of respect, honor, noble .
3. Whatever right- “Right” is a translation of the Greek dikaiosynē, normally translated “just” (KJV). It implies
giving to God and people a justness that is worthy of them
4. Whatever pure- “Pure” translates a word meaning “pure” or “holy” in relation to God
5. Whatever lovely- “Lovely” is found only here in the New Testament and has a fundamental meaning of “that
which calls forth love” (prosphilē)
6. Whatever admirable- “Admirable” occurs only here in the New Testament, and it means whatever is
praiseworthy, attractive, therefore likely not to offend

30 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 95.
31 Richard R. Melick, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon, vol. 32, The New American Commentary (Nashville:
Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1991), 150.

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