4:8 How are the things defined that Paul admonishes us to think on here?
4:8 How are the things defined that Paul admonishes us to think on here?
The word think here means to occupy oneself with reckonings or calculations, to put together with one's mind, to carefully reflect on.
Paul is admonishing Christians here to only occupy their minds with things that harmonise with eternal truth - whatsoever things are true (cp Jn 16:13; 17:17; Eph 4:17-25); that are venerable - worthy of reverence; the sacred as opposed to the profane - whatsoever things are honest (cp Ro 12:17; 2Cor 8:21; 1Pe 1:13-16; 2:12); that are righteous - whatsoever things are just (cp De 16:20; Ro 8:4; 2 Pe 1:4-10); that are chaste and holy - whatsoever things are pure (cp Ro 12:1-2; 1Cor 3:16-17; 2Cor 7:1; 1Th 5:22; Jas 3:16-17; 1Jn 3:2-3); that are pleasing and a blessing to others - whatsoever things are lovely (cp 1Cor 13:4-7; Ga 5:22-23); that are in harmony with the best public good - whatsoever things are of good report, virtuous and praise worthy (cp Pr 16:21, 24; Ro 13:1-10; 2Pe 1:3-10).
Thinking on these things is a prerequisite for experiencing the peace of God (cp Php 4:9). The consequence of thinking on unholy things of the world is that the joy of knowing the peace of God is lost, and our hearts are no longer guarded (cp Php 4:7).