“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 things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Worthy of praise (praiseworthy): Deserving approval and admiration; admirable, applaudable, commendable, creditable, estimable, laudable, meritorious.

The Lord is worthy to be praised

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Rev. 4:11 ESV)

“I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” (Psalm 18:3 ESV)

The Lamb is worthy to be praised 

“Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” (Rev. 5:12 ESV)

“And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Rev. 5:9 ESV)

“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 things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB) 

Excellence: the fact or state of excelling; superiority; eminence; merit, supremacy, greatness, quality, perfection, virtue, preeminence, class, goodness, fineness, distinction, worth, excellency, transcendence.

An excellent spirit inside

“Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” (Dan. 6:3 ESV)

A model of good works

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity.” (Titus 2:7 ESV)

Excel in everything

“But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.” (2 Cor. 8:7 ESV)

As for the Lord

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Col. 6:23 ESV)

“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, on these things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Good repute: a good reputation, known to be honest, true and forthright; decent; dependable; highly regarded; of good standing; reliable; reputable; respectable; sound; trustworthy; upright.

Walking upright in integrity

“Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.” (Prov. 19:1 ESV)

The upright is guided by integrity

“The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” (Prov. 11:3 ESV)

“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 things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Lovely: Full of love; loving, inspiring love or affection. Having beauty that appeals to the emotions as well as to the eye. Amiable; pleasing.

How lovely are the feet of him who brings good news

“How lovely on the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who announces peace And brings good news of happiness, Who announces salvation, And says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (Isa. 52:7 NASB)

Everything is beautiful in its time

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Eccles. 3:11a ESV)

“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 things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Pure: free from anything of a different, inferior, or contaminating kind; containing nothing that does not properly belong; free from moral fault or guilt; unmixed, unadulterated, undefiled, untarnished, immaculate, unpolluted, uncorrupted.

Purify yourself as He is pure

“And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3 ESV)

By your obedience to the truth

“Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.” (1 Peter 1:22 ESV)

Love that issues from a pure heart

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 

Therefore…

“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Tim. 2:22 ESV)

“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 things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Right: Conforming with or conformable to justice, law, or morality; just; good; proper; upright; righteous. 

Blessed are they

“Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!” (Psalm 106:3 ESV)

Walk righteously and speak uprightly

“He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure. Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; will see a land that stretches afar.” (Isa. 33:15-17 ESV)

“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 things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

Honorable: in accordance with or characterized by principles of honor; upright; noble, straightforward, ethical, sincere, illustrious, virtuous, honest, trustworthy, respectable, reliable, conscientious, principled, righteous, distinguished, law-abiding, acclaimed, celebrated, chivalrous, dependable, eminent.

Honor the Lord from your wealth 

“Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce.” (Prov. 3:9 ESV)

Worthy is the lamb to receive honor

“Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing." (Rev. 5:11-12 ESV)

“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 things.” (Phil. 4:8 NASB)

True: being in accordance with the actual state or conditions; conforming to reality or fact; not false; real; genuine; authentic; accurate; valid; right; the truth. 

The Spirit of truth

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” (John 16:13 ESV) 

Jesus is the truth

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV) 

The truth will set you free 

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 ESV)

Worship Him in spirit and truth

“God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24 ESV)

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him in truth

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18 ESV)

Speak the truth in love

“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Eph. 4:15 ESV)

Walking in truth

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 1:4 ESV)

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Gen.  50:20 NLT).

We can rejoice knowing God will help us when we run into problems 

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (Rom. 5:3 NLT)

God causes all things to work out right

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Rom. 8:28 NLT)

Because God is faithful

“God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9 NLT)