Brain Surgery 4.8 Part 7, Virtue

Philippians 4:8

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

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.

- this Evening, we're moving into a study of the seventh word in Phil. 4:8 -- this is somewhat momentous because this is where there's a shift in the verse.

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

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.

- INPUT - what's the shift?

(we've been in a list of whatsoever things are...

- Now Paul changes it to; "If there be any..."

- Homer Kent says of this change, "It is a rhetorical device that forces the reader to exercise his own discernment and choose whatever is excellent and praiseworthy."

- as we looked at these last two words and how we should structure ourlesson, we decided that these last two words (phrases) will take us in two completely different directions ... so we're going to concentrate on the seventh one today,

- we're talking about: "Thinking Thoughts That Are Excellent"

- let's start as we traditionally have by asking of this phrase:

I. What Is Excellent Thinking?

A. List 3 Directions to this Word.

- Write on some paper - on the left, let's put words and phrases like,

1) Always doing your best

2) 100%

3) Perfectionism

4) Charles Wesley -

- the point is -- when we talk about thinking thoughts that are excellent, we're not talking about perfectionism.

- However....

- most of us are not anywhere near that ditch when it comes to the way we monitor our thinking.

- most of us are in (or nearer) this other ditch.

- INPUT - what words or phrases might we use to describe the other ditch?

1) Satisfied with "mental mediocrity"

2) Lacodasical

3) Half-hearted in our attempt to monitor this area of life

4) Satisfied with far too little

5) This isn't important to God

6) There's no immediate consequences, judgement---so let it ride.

7) This spiritual wheel isn't squeaking.

- INPUT - If those are the ditches (in our attempts to understand the phrase "if there is any excellence...", what words or phrases would describe the middle ground?

1) Moving toward excellence.

2) (Vandegriff) - Putting your best mind forward (as long as we properly define "best."

3) Already, but not yet.

(We're seeking to do what the Scripture exhorts us to do in this passage without becoming morbidly introspective because of unrealistic or perfectionistic expectations.)

- with that in mind, let's talk now about:

B. What is the meaning of the word?

G703 ἀρέτη - Strong's Greek Lexicon Number

Previous Strong's #G702 Next Strong's #G704 Dodson:ἀρετήvirtue, moral excellence, perfection goodness, a gracious act, virtue, uprightness.

Strong's:ἀρέτηproperly, manliness (valor),

i.e. excellence (intrinsic or attributed) Derivation: from the same as G730;

KJV Usage: praise, virtue.

G730

TBESG

:ἀρετή

virtueG:N-Fἀρετή, -ῆς, ἡ

[in LXX, in sing.: Refs (הוֹד), in pl.: Refs (תְּהִלָּה), Refs * ;]

prop., whatever procures pre-eminent estimation for a person or thing, in Hom. any kind of conspicuous advantage. Later confined by philos. writers to intrinsic eminence-moral goodness, virtue;

__(a) of God: 2Pe.1:3; __(b) of men: Refs; pl. (Isa , Es, ll. with), excellencies: 1Pe.2:9 (the usage appears to be a survival of an early comprehensive sense in which the original idea is blended with the impression which it makes on others, i.e. praise, renown; 1 Peter 1: 29. Deiss., BS, 95 f., thinks it means manifestations of divine power, as in current Gk. speech; cf. also MM, see word)†

2 Peter 1:3 KJV 1900

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

1 Peter 2:9 KJV 1900

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1 Peter 1 KJV 1900

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. 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: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

(AS)Thayer:1) a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action

1a) virtue, moral goodness

2) any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity

Trench's New Testament Synonyms Evil(-mindedness)Prophesy

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Virtue

ἀρέτη aretē ar-et'-ay From the same as G730; properly manliness (valor), that is, excellence (intrinsic or attributed)

KJV Usage: praise, virtue.

Lexicon :: Strong's G703 - aretē 📷

ἀρετή

Transliteration aretē (Key)

Pronunciation

ar-et'-ay📷

Part of Speech feminine noun

Root Word (Etymology) From the same as ἄρρην (G730)

Greek Inflections of ἀρετή [?]

mGNT 5x in 4 unique form(s) TR 5x in 5 unique form(s) LXX 6x in 4 unique form(s)

ἀρετὰς — 2x ἀρετάς — 2x ἀρετὴ — 1x ἀρετὴν — 1x Dictionary Aids

Vine's Expository Dictionary: View Entry TDNT Reference: 1:457,77 1 Strong's Number: g703 Greek: arete

Virtue: properly denotes whatever procures pre-eminent estimation for a person or thing; hence, "intrinsic eminence, moral goodness, virtue,"

(a) of God, 1 Peter 2:9 , "excellencies" (AV, "praises");

1 Peter 2:9 KJV 1900

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

here the original and general sense seems to be blended with the impression made on others, i.e., renown, excellence or praise in 2 Peter 1:3 , "(by His own glory and) virtue," RV (instrumental dative), i.e., the manifestation of His Divine power; this significance is frequently illustrated in the papyri and was evidently common in current Greek speech;

2 Peter 1:3 KJV 1900

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

(b) of any particular moral excellence, Phil 4:8 ; 2 Peter 1:5 (twice), where virtue is enjoined as an essential quality in the excercise of faith, RV, "(in your faith supply) virtue."

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

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.

2 Peter 1:5 KJV 1900

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

Note: In the AV of Mark 5:30 ; Luke 6:19; 8:46 , dunamis, "power" (RV), is rendered "virtue."

Mark 5:30 KJV 1900

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

Luke 6:19 KJV 1900

And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

Luke 8:46 KJV 1900

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

KJV Translation Count — Total: 5x The KJV translates Strong's G703 in the following manner: virtue (4x), praise (1x).

Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action virtue, moral goodness

any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity

Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)

ἀρέτη arétē, ar-et'-ay; from the same as G730; properly, manliness (valor), i.e. excellence (intrinsic or attributed):—praise, virtue.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon [?](Jump to Scripture Index)

ἀρετή, -ῆς, ἡ, [see ἄρα at the beginning], a word of very wide signification in Greek writings; any excellence of a person (in body or mind) or of a thing, an eminent endowment, property or quality.

Used of the human mind and in an ethical sense, it denotes:

1. a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action; virtue, and in Greek writings) 2 Peter 1:5 [others take it here specifically, namely moral vigor; cf. next entry].

2 Peter 1:5 KJV 1900

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2. any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity; hence (plural αἱ ἀρεταί, STRONGS G703:

Combined Word Definitions, BDB & Thayer - G703

Original: ἀρέτη

Transliteration: Arete

Phonetic: ar-et’-ay

Definition:

1. a virtuous course of thought, feeling and action

a. virtue, moral goodness

2. any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity

Origin: from the same as G730

Part of speech: Noun Feminine

AV Occurrences (5 Instances, 2 Words)

virtue (4)

praises (1)

- the word that is translated virtue is the word for "excellent" in this verse is:

- all encompassing

- purposely general

- can be applied to a wide range of thoughts...

- this is evident from the way the word is translated in otherparts of the Bible:

- United Bible Society Dictionary - "moral excellence, goodness, redemptive acts, God's power."

- when you think about this and compare it to the list we made on the right side of the white-board, you can see what ties these different ideas together:

- God's power, redemptive acts, His goodness are all anything but mediocre...

- So when we apply that to thinking, we're talking about avoiding thinking that is undisciplined, questionable, or mediocre.

- As long as we keep it in balance, this phrase John Vandergriff uses says it well, "putting your best mind forward."

- now, a few minutes ago I suggested that, using the illustration we've been sketching out on the board, most of us would place ourselves closer to the ditch on the right than the one on the left.

- that belief probably should be intensified when we:

II. Recognize That God's People Have Always Struggled with Mediocre Serving / Living.

- let's think of a couple of examples:

A. Cain - Gen. 4

- work through the life of Cain

- INPUT - In what ways do we see Cain satisfied with less than

"excellent living"?

- INPUT - (on right side of white board) - What corresponding thoughts may have preceded these actions that are the opposite of what we're studying from Phil. 4:8?

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

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.

B. People in Malachi's day

- Malachi 1:6-8

Malachi 1:6–8 KJV 1900

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: If then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; And ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the Lord is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor; Will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.

- INPUT - How do you see this same tendency in the people mentioned here?

- (on left side of white board) - Behaviors toward God today that might exemplify these characteristics?

- (on right side) - What corresponding thoughts may have preceded these actions that are the opposite of what we're studying from Phil. 4:8?

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

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.

- now, let's take this one step further:

- here's what William Hendriksen said about these verses:

"Nothing that is really worthwhile for believers to ponder and take into consideration is omitted from this summarizing phrase. Anything at all that is a matter of moral and spiritual excellence, so that it is a proper object of praise, is the right pasture for the Christian mind to graze in."

- let's work on that using Hendriksen's metaphor of "grazing."

- How do restaurants that are known for steak often advertise their beef? (corn fed)

- Why is that so important? (because what a cow grazes on affects the quality of the meat.)

- and because the quality of meat is of supreme importance, they give careful attention to what goes in those animals.

- Let's say that I was going to open a restaurant with the intention of competing with A Great Steak House.

- How well do you think I'd do if I advertised it as:

- Sewer fed beef?

- My cows grazed at the landfill.

- Imported from Chernobyl.

- you say, , thats disgusting.

- thats true, because we hate even the thought of eating meat like that.

- are we that committed to excellence when it comes to the matter of our thinking?

- There are some things that you and I could allow in our minds that are a whole lot closer to the "landfill fed beef" of my new restaurant than the Corn fed beef o.

- the question is, are we going to benefit from this seventh criteria in Phil. 4:8?

Philippians 4:8 KJV 1900

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.

III. Ways Excellent Thinking Can/Must Be Put On

- Examples of excellent thinking:

(other teachers - I didn't get this far in the lesson last week)

1) Marriage?

2) Child-rearing?

3) Extended family?

4) Work?

5) Church?