Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true
To close all with respect to the duties of Christianity incumbent
on the professors of it, the apostle exhorts to a regard to
everything that is true; that is agreeable to the Scriptures of
truth, to the Gospel the word of truth, or to the law and light
of nature; and whatever was really so, even among the very
Heathens, in opposition to falsehood, lying, and hypocrisy
whatsoever things [are] honest;
in the sight of men; or grave, or "venerable" in speech, in
action or attire, in opposition to levity, frothiness, or
foppery: whatsoever things [are] just;
between man and man, or with respect both to God and men; giving
to God what belongs to him, and to man what is his due; studying
to exercise a conscience void of offence to both, in opposition
to all impiety, injustice, violence, and oppression:
whatsoever things [are] pure;
or "chaste", in words and deeds, in opposition to all filthiness
and foolish talking, to obscene words and actions. The Vulgate
Latin and Arabic versions render it, "whatsoever things are
holy"; which are agreeable to the holy nature, law, and will of
God, and which tend to promote holiness of heart and life:
whatsoever [are] lovely;
which are amiable in themselves, and to be found even among mere
moral men, as in the young man whom Christ as man is said to
love, ( Mark
10:21 ) ; and which serve to cultivate and increase love,
friendship, and amity among men; and which things also are
grateful to God and lovely in his sight, in opposition to all
contention, strife, wrath, and hatred: whatsoever things
[are] of good report;
are well spoken of, and tend to get and establish a good name,
which is better than precious ointment, ( Ecclesiastes
7:1 ) ; for though a good name, credit, and reputation among
men, are to be sacrificed for the sake of Christ when called for;
yet care is to be taken to preserve them by doing things which
may secure them, and cause professors of religion to be well
reported of; and which beautiful in all, and absolutely necessary
in some: if [there be] any virtue;
anywhere, among any persons whatever, in opposition to vice:
and if [there be] any praise;
that is praiseworthy among men, and deserves commendation, even
though in an unjust steward, ( Luke 16:8 ) , it should
be regarded. The Vulgate Latin adds, "of discipline", without any
authority from any copy. The Claromontane manuscript reads, "if
any praise of knowledge": think on these
things:
meditate upon them, revolve them in your minds, seriously
consider them, and reason with yourselves about them, in order to
put them into practice.