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The use of "meditate" is given this standard in verse 9: "which you learned". We dont just empty our minds like meditating in yoga... but we need to learn to give meaning to our meditation. Good for educators to think on.

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Your mind is a garden
Your thoughts are the seeds
You can grow flowers
Or you can grow weeds
Take every thought captive

Paul tells us to meditate on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, etc.  The things we meditate on will influence what comes out of us and direct our actions.

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Phil. 1:12 giving Christ the glory for what's happening--the furtherance of the gospel. To be of one mind.

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Phil. 1:12 giving Christ the glory for what's happening--the furtherance of the gospel. To be of one mind.

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By putting truth first in the list, is it most important? Should truth be our first priority?

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We are to choose what we focus on. Much like the command to rejoice, Paul tells us to concentrate on what is positive. We are to practice the things we have learned, because it doesn’t always come naturally.

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Many times throughout Philippians Paul encourages the church to be of the same mind (vs. 2). To have unity. We see this also in Chapter 2:2 and Chapter 1:27. As a body of believers we are encouraged to be 'like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.' (2:2) An attitude we should strive to have this coming year.

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I notice how there is no room for judgement of others here. In the covid world we live in, there is a lot of judgment regarding different opinions and I know my heart is also full of it and I struggle with it daily. Meditating on pure, good, true, and lovely is putting on the new nature and putting off the old. It's my prayer we are all open to this sanctifying growth.

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The NIV version says "think about such things". The NKJV says "meditate on these things". Meditate has further implications of letting the thoughts ruminate rather than just simply think once on it.

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We are called to meditate on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable - anything that is excellent or praiseworthy. We need to use discernment when determining what things fall under those “big” categories. We are also called to put what we have learned, received, heard, or seen into practice. We might use the Armour of God to help us with this.

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The last part of verse 9 "and the God of peace will be with you." How comforting in a year with so many unknowns.

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Paul instructs believers to rejoice in verse 4. We are to make a conscious effort to choose joy in the Lord. We are also to be reasonable, and not anxious because God is with us.

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Verses 8,9 could be seen as an answer to the previous verses. Meditating on good things will help us to always rejoice. When we are worrying, Paul instructs us to pray, but also gives us the way God can use to strengthen us and guard our minds- by thinking on all the good things God has given us.

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How comforting to read of a peace that passes all understanding. Our hearts and minds will be guarded by this peace. During a time when there is so much fear and uncertainty, putting our complete trust and faith in God will help everything make sense. He knows what He is doing and is in complete control. It is good to remember to think only of righteous things. In this, we can be a light to others.

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I was struck by the fact that leading up to our theme verse, the apostle speaks of strong action words (almost commands?): be, rejoice, stand, urge to help, pray, be not anxious, and then he tells us to think/meditate. As if all of our words, actions, and then also our thoughts must be in conformity with the Will of the Father. Then we are left with the promise of His peace.

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Paul wrote this letter to a largely Roman population in Philippi who held and understood the power of citizenship. The end of chapter 3 connects their understanding of citizenship to that of citizenship in God's Kingdom. It is interesting that after establishing their new citizenship, Paul then explains in chapter 4 what their new citizenship looks like: imploring fellow believers to be of the same mind, rejoicing in God, and what it is that we are to meditate on.

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What does Paul mean when he says "Meditate" on these things? What does that look like? With our last theme it was "put on" the armor of God which is easy enough to understand, why does Paul use "meditate" with this list?

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Actually pursue "whatever" is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable ; in doing so, also be open to looking at things in our culture. To me, this means also looking beyond Christian sources. Yes, there is a lot of bad in our culture, but if we are being discerning, we can find the true and beautiful things that even non-believers can create.

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We are called to a life of obedience. The virtues listed here - whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. We are called to put into practice all that we have  learned and received.
"And the God of peace will be with you" We have such a rich promise in Christ that He with us. We are called to not be anxious about anything, but to give it all over to God and He will guard our hearts and our minds. We live our lives not in our own strength but fully dependent on the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Paul highlighted the importance of striving toward the goal of final salvation. Confident in God's calling the apostle pushed forward toward the heavenly prize. God calls us to unity in Christ and service to others.

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The apostle Paul is writing to the Philippians and thanking and encouraging them towards unity and humble service toward each other.
Throughout Paul's letter to the Philippians he thanks God for carrying forward his saving work among the Philippians. We also know that Paul is writing this at a time where the Philippians are facing persecution and pressures from false teachings. We can see throughout his letter, Paul's affection for his readers. Despite the circumstances of Paul's imprisonment his letter resounds with the theme of joy. Another major theme in his letter is "Justification by Grace through Faith." Paul stresses that God has willed for his people to be saved by receiving Christ's righteousness rather than striving to establish their own. Furthermore, this epistle is filled with instruction on practical Christianity.