Philippians 4:8-9 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Lovely
Pleasing to
“God’s finger can touch nothing but to mold it into loveliness.” (George MacDonald)
Prosphilē, occurring only here in the NT, speaks of what promotes peace rather than conflict (Lightner)
Pointing to
“My soul can find no staircase to Heaven unless it be through Earth’s loveliness.” (Michelangelo)
Colossians 1:19 He embraces all things that are lovely: he seals up the sum of all loveliness. Things that shine as single stars with a particular glory, all meet in Christ as a glorious constellation.
“It pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell.” Cast your eyes among all created beings, survey the universe: you will observe strength in one, beauty in a second, faithfulness in a third, wisdom in a fourth; but you shall find none excelling in them all as Christ does. Bread has one quality, water another, raiment another, medicine another; but none has them all in itself as Christ does. He is bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, a garment to the naked, healing to the wounded; and whatever a soul can desire is found in him, 1 Corinthians 1:30” (John Flavel)
Commendable
Euphēma, also used only here, relates to what is positive and constructive rather than negative and destructive. (Lightner)
Positive
Constructive
According to God’s
Conforming to God’s
Toward God’s