Section 9
Don't love others foolishly—love them soberly, with knowledge and sensitive perception."
No doubt, certain of the Philippian saints appreciated the preaching of the Judaistic believ ers. For this reason, Paul prayed that their love for such ones would abound in full knowledge and all discernment. He encouraged the Philip pians to love, but to love in knowledge and dis cernment, not in foolishness and in blindness.
TESTING BY PURITY
Paul also prayed that the Philippians would "prove by testing the things which differ" and "be pure and without offense unto the day of Christ" (Phil. 1:10). The Greek word rendered pure means judged by sunlight, that is, tested as genuine; hence, pure, sincere. To be without offense means not to be offending, not to cause others to stumble. In discerning things, we need to be pure. In particular, the motives in our heart must be pure. Otherwise, we shall offend others. It is not easy to be discerning in a way that is pure and without offense. This depends very much on our motive.
THE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
In verses 9 and 10 of Philippians 1 Paul prayed