What Does Philippians 4:8 Mean in the King James?

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.

Philippians 4:8 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

Here, “think” is the language of accounting: the verse names what the mind counts as worthy of attention.

THE MEANING

This verse meets the reader’s mind as a place of discernment, where truth, honor, alignment, purity, beauty, a good report, excellence, and praise gather as things worthy of attention. Thinking here is active weighing: these qualities become part of the mind’s measure.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It dissolves the belief that the mind is only a passive receiver of whatever crosses it; the verse presents thought as a deliberate weighing of what is worthy.

THE ROOT

λογίζεσθε

logizesthe

GROWS FROM

λογ-

log-

to count, reckon, or account

The English “think” can sound like merely having a thought; ⁨λογίζομαι⁩ (logizomai, to reckon or take into account) is the language of accounting. The list identifies qualities the mind treats as weight-bearing in its discernment.

ALSO GROWS

logismos: reasoning, calculation

λογισμός

This branch shows thought as a process of weighing and reckoning, not just a passing mental event.

logos: word, account, reason

λόγος

This branch links reckoning with an account or reason, giving “think on these things” the sense of taking them into consideration.

δίκαια

dikaia

GROWS FROM

δικ-

dik-

alignment with what is right; right order

“Just” belongs to the same word family as alignment and being set right. The list places alignment beside truth, purity, and beauty as something the mind can recognize and weigh.

ALSO GROWS

dikaiosynē: alignment, righteousness

δικαιοσύνη

This branch makes the shared idea of alignment visible in the quality translated “just.”

dikaioō: to justify, set right

δικαιόω

This branch carries the family’s movement toward being put in right order, deepening “just” beyond a bare label.

THE PATTERN

Attention is a form of orientation: what the mind considers and sets before itself shapes its discernment.

I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Psalm 101:3 · KJVThe verse presents what is placed before the eyes as something that can shape what remains close.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2 · KJVThe mind’s renewal is joined to its ability to discern what is good.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:2 · KJVThe verse describes the mind’s orientation through what it gives its attention to.

THE THREAD

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 4:3 · KJV

“Counted” is a form of ⁨λογίζομαι⁩ (logizomai, to reckon or account), the same verb behind “think” in Philippians 4:8. The same accounting word used for the mind’s consideration here names trust being counted as righteousness, alignment, there.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us