Section 10
man. To be pure is to be single in intention and action, without any mixture. The word "lovely" in Philippians 4:8 means to be lovable, agreeable, endearing. The words "well-spoken of" are the translation of the Greek word that means sound ing well. As used here, the word implies being of good repute, renowned, attractive, winning, gra cious. In this verse "virtue" is excellence, that is, ethical energy exhibited in vigorous action. The word "praise" indicates things worthy of praise, as the companion of virtue. The point we would emphasize here is that these are human virtues in which Christ is expressed.
IN DOING ALL THINGS
In Philippians 4:13 Paul says, "I can do all things in Him who empowers me." Paul was a person in Christ (2 Cor. 12:2), and he desired to be found in Christ by others. Here he declares that he could do all things in Christ, the One who empowered him.
For Christ to empower us means that He makes us dynamic inwardly. Christ dwells in us (Col. 1:27). He empowers us, makes us dynamic, from within, not from without. By such an inward empowering Paul could do all things in Christ.