Bits of Torah Truths – #Torah Concept in the NT: Think on Things True and Honest – Episode 714

Bits of Torah Truths – #Torah Concept in the NT: Think on Things True and Honest – Episode 714

Philippians 4:8
סוֹף דָּבָר, אַחַי, כָּל אֲשֶׁר אֱמֶת, כָּל מַה שֶׁנִּכְבָּד, כָּל דָּבָר יָשָׁר, טָהוֹר, מָלֵא נֹעַם, כָּל אֲשֶׁר שִׁמְעוֹ טוֹב, כָּל מַעֲשֶׂה נַעֲלֶה, וְכָל דָּבָר הָרָאוּי לְשֶׁבַח –– בְּאֵלֶּה יֶהְגֶּה לְבַבְכֶם.

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Philippians 4:8
4:8 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. (NASB)

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The Torah repeatedly grounds the mind in truth, honesty, and right judgment, forming the foundation for Paul’s exhortation in Philippians 4:8. In Torah, these categories appear as commands to set the mind on God’s revealed truth, judge uprightly, and reject falsehood at the level of thought and intention, not only behavior.

– Torah Parallels to “Think on Things True / Honest” –

1. Fixing the Mind on God’s True Words, the Torah repeatedly commands Israel to set their thoughts on God’s truth. Deuteronomy 6:6, 11:18, 32:46.
2. Honest Judgment and Integrity of Mind, Torah emphasizes internal honesty, not merely external behavior. Exodus 23:7, Leviticus 19:15, Deuteronomy 16:19–20.
3. Purity of Thought as Covenant Faithfulness, Numbers 15:39, Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6.
4. Meditating on God’s Works and Goodness, Exodus 15:1–2, Deuteronomy 4:9, 8:2.

– Context Synthesis –

Philippians 4:8 is not a new idea; it is a Torah-shaped mental discipline:

• True Deut 6:6; 11:18; 32:46 Fix the mind on God’s revealed truth.
• Honest / Noble Lev 19:15; Deut 16:19–20 Integrity and upright judgment.
• Just Deut 16:20; Exod 23:7 Pursuit of righteousness in thought.
• Pure Num 15:39; Deut 10:16 Purity of heart and mind.
• Lovely / Commendable Deut 4:9; 8:2; Exod 15 Remembering God’s goodness.
• Excellent / Praiseworthy Deut 32 (Song of Moses) Meditating on God’s righteous acts.

– Core Insight –

Philippians 4:8 is a direct continuation of Torah’s mental formation program: Torah trains the mind to love truth, Torah trains the mind to reject falsehood, Torah trains the mind to pursue justice, Torah trains the mind to remember God’s goodness, Torah trains the mind to cultivate purity of heart. Paul is not inventing a new ethic; he is calling believers back to the Torah-shaped mind that Messiah fulfills and empowers. This is how Paul taught Torah in the NT, the Torah has not passed away!

Visual Summary of Concepts the Torah in the NT