Thinking Pure Things

* continuing the study of Philippians 4:8 *

 

Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

 

According to Philippians 4 God does not want His children to worry about anything. He is ready to boost the morale if you want to call it that. However, God points out that some of the solution lies within us. God knows what makes us tick. He knows part of the solution lies in us whom He has created. In fact, He has forewarned us to think a certain way in His Word.

CLEAN THOUGHTS. We consider the admonition in the text to have pure thoughts. Summarizing, (1) Think on things true; (2) think on honorable things; (3) and think on righteous things. This lesson continues with the admonition to “Think on PURE things.” Just obeying this single activity will help us quite a bit.

WHAT ARE PURE THINGS?

 

Pure is a modifier just like the others in this text that describes things. Our English word "pure” has developed from the Old English word purlamb ("lamb without a blemish!”) from the French pur "unalloyed” [like in pure "gold”] which was from the Latin purus "clean, clear, unmixed, chaste, undefiled.”[i] The Greek word is spelled differently from the Latin.

 

The word "pure” is somewhat like another word "saint.” A common expression that people use to excuse themselves when criticizing others is, "I may not be a saint, but ... ” The fact of the matter is that every Christian is identified in the Bible as a saint. Even in this Philippians chapter 4 Paul writes in verse 21, "Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.” The soul is cleansed by the blood of the Lord. "As pure as the clean driven snow”, as the simile suggested by Shakespeare.[ii] c"And such were some of you: but ye are washed [baptized], but ye are sanctified [made saint], but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Sanctified means "consecrated; set apart for sacred use”[iii] ; we are made so by the blood of Christ ("sanctified by His blood”, Hebrews 10:29[iv]) and this is through "the” faith (Acts 15:9; Jude 3).

 

"THINK PURE^#G53” in this text a ording to Strong's Greek Dictionary is from "saint” (or "holy”) ^#G40, and a ording to Vincent's always has "a moral signification.”c James 4:8, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”  1 Peter 1:22. "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”

 

When one obeys the gospel, he/she is sanctified. That is, you actually are made pure, a saint in the Eyes of God. Not only are we justified when we walk the walk of being God's saint, but we are promised that our saintly[v] thoughts will contribute to freeing us from anxiety.

WHAT IS PURE THINKING. Strong's definition for "pure” in our text, i.e., hagnos #G53, says it is "the same as #G40 (ἅγιος, i.e., 'saint' or 'holy')”, "properly clean, i.e., figurative-innocent, modest, perfect.” Also, Thayer's definition gives "(1) reverence, venerable, sacred and (2) pure from carnality, chaste, modest, from every fault, immaculate, clean.” Number 1 will make "pure” a synonym to "honorable” in some contexts. But number 2 differentiates these thoughts from the other thinkings of Philippians 4:8. The Holy Spirit uses Paul's ability and custom of using closely related words in a sentence to a entuate the point; e.g., the affections in Philippians 2:1, "if any consolation”, "if any comfort”, "if any fellowship”, "if any bowels of mercy.”

 

TEMPLE PURIFICATION. A similar word pure or clean (Strong's #G48) always refers to the Mosai ceremonial purification in the Septuagint and in three instances in the New Testament: (1) The Jews purified themselves in Jerusalem before Passover, John 11:55; (2) Paul was purified with others for the Temple, Acts 21:24. 26 and 24:18 which was a ommodating the Jew.

 

HEART AND SOUL PURIFICATION is the #G53 word used in Philippians 4:8. It is also used in the following contexts:

 

1.    1 Timothy 5:22, "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.” Think on actions that are morally pure without sinning. "Sin” is defined as "transgression of the will of God” (1 John 3:4, Coffman[vi]).

2.    James 3:17, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” This reminds us of all the thoughts in our context!

3.   1 John 3:3, "And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He [Jesus] is pure.”c Purify himself. We participate by imitating Jesus.

4.    2 Corinthians 11:2, "For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” Pure thinking is designed to lead us to be pure for our meeting with Jesus.

5.    Titus 2:5, [young women] "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” This is specifically addressed to the wives.

6.    1 Peter 3:2, "While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.” Pure thoughts, chaste behavior will be seen.

7.    2 Corinthians 7:11, "For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” Clear, clean, sanctified, pure.

CLEAN THOUGHTS; subsequently, clean living. Surely, this saying should now be obvious: "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).

-         - Gaylon West               beta test by Janie Ward and Mary West