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Philippians 4:8 Logical calculation
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640
1. Philippians 4:8 Logical calculation
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 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. [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]
Verse route… pudica … bonae famae … cogitate [v]

In Philippians 4:8, Paul lists a number of categories in which one should do some "logical calculation". The ancient Greek word "λογίζομαι" ≈ "count, reckon". The Latin Vulgate influenced this meaning to be that of "thinking". What might happen if one does some "logical calculation"?
2. Philippians 4:8
   Philippians 4:8 
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: το λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε
Latin: de cetero fratres quaecumque sunt vera quaecumque pudica quaecumque iusta quaecumque sancta quaecumque amabilia quaecumque bonae famae si qua virtus si qua laus haec cogitate
3. List of words
Special words
1=εστιν is
2=αληθη true
3=σεμνα respectful
4=δικαια righteous
5=αγνα pure
6=προσφιλη lovely
7=ευφημα good report
8=αρετη virtue
9=επαινος praise
10=λογιζεσθε reasoned
Think on these

Have you checked off everything in the list?



A pastor could do sermons on each of these words.



Let us first cover the meaning of each Greek word. Keep in mind that many of these words are rarely used in the GNT (Greek New Testament). A few important ones are only used once.
4. Finally
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 Finally, brethren… [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]

The ancient Greek word "λοιπον" ≈ "the rest, remainder". Paul is not finishing. He is continuing to the remainder of topics, groups of people, etc.

This word was used at the start of chapter 3 to separate chapters 1 and 2 addressed to the church leadership from chapters 3 and 4 addressed to the "others".
5. Whatever
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 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. [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]

The KJV (King James Version) translates as "whatsoever things" from the ancient Greek word "ὅσος" ≈ "as much as" as in "whatever".

Keep in mind the following. Is the final result the intersection of all the properties? Do we need to think about all of them? Is it something else?

People often say "whatever" with a secondary meaning of "do what you want" and "you are going to do that anyway".
6. Strongs - whatever
7. Usage - whatever
Word usage per chapter Words: οσα=53 οσαι οσοι=29 οσον=17 οσους=4 οσω=3 οσων

8. True
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 … whatsoever things are true… [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]

The Greek word for "truth", like the Hebrew word, has to do with the "reality" and not "logic" or "opinion".


Information sign More: Truth types: logic, reality, opinion
Information sign More: Greek truth as reality
Information sign More: Hebrew truth as reality
9. Respectful
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 … whatsoever things are honest… [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]

The Greek word means "respectful" as in "august". The Greek word "august" is used to refer to Caesar as in when Paul appeals to "Augustus" as a synonym for "Caesar" (in the official discussions following his appeal)

Information sign More: Increase and decrease
Another (indirect) meaning for this phrase is "whatever things are Caesar's".
10. Strongs - respected
11. Usage - respected
Word usage per chapter Words: σεμνα σεμνας σεμνους=2

This word is used 4 times by Paul in the GNT and not elsewhere. This particular inflection by Paul is found 1 time in the GNT.
12. Caesar Octavius Augustus

Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar Octavius (63 BC - 14 AD) took on the name "Augustus" as a more formal title and became know by that name.

Information sign More: Increase and decrease
13. Caesar Augustus
Caesar Augustus, ruling Rome at the birth of Christ, took on the name "august" in order to have more respect or reverence for him as he was young when he became Caesar.
The ancient Greek word "σεβαστός" ≈ "venerable, august".

The ancient Greek word "πόλις" ≈ "city".

Combined, one gets "Sevastopol".
14. Sevastopol
That Greek name for "august" became the title of Russian Czarina (Augusta) Catherine II who founded the city Sevastopol in 1783.

Crimean War: (1853-1856)
15. Righteous
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 … whatsoever things are just… [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]

This is the usual Greek word for "righteous" or "just".

From Aristotle, this is from the human opinion point of view when it refers to human law.
16. Nature and law and justice
Levels of truthIn his On Sophistic Refutations, Aristotle says that from ancient times, nature (truth) and law (opinion) are opposites and that justice goes with the law (opinion) but not with nature (truth).
English: Nature and Law are opposites, and justice is a good thing according to the law but not according to nature. Loeb #400, p. 73.
Greek: ἐναντία γὰρ εἶναι φύσιν καὶ νόμον, καὶ τὴν δικαιοσύνην κατὰ νόμον μὲν εἶναι καλόν, κατὰ φύσιν δ´ οὐ καλόν Sophistic Refutations [173b]
Whenever Jesus, Paul, etc., use the word for "righteousness" one must determine from context what is meant. There may be double meanings.
17. Truth and opinion
Levels of truthAristotle continues about "nature" as "truth" and "law" as "opinion".
English: In the view of the ancients what accorded with nature was the truth. While what accorded with law was the general opinion of mankind. Loeb #400, p. 73.
Greek: Ἦν δὲ τὸ μὲν κατὰ φύσιν αὐτοῖς τὸ ἀληθές, τὸ δὲ κατὰ νόμον τὸ τοῖς πολλοῖς δοκοῦν. Sophistic Refutations [173b]
18. Beam me up opinions
Rock and sand Tree with twigs - fruit

In Matthew 7, Jesus appears to use the ancient Greek word "δοκόν" ≈ "beam" as a play on words with "δοκοῦν" ≈ "opinion, expectation" in the "beam" (as expectation) and "mote" where "κάρφος" ≈ "twig, splinter, mote" and "καρπός" ≈ "fruit".

The ancient Greek word "δόξα" ≈ "opinion, expectation" and is the source of the English word "doxology".

Information sign More: Matthew 7:3-5 Beams and motes: the devil is in the details
Information sign More: Expectation of a glorious Greek opinion on a doxology
Information sign More: Victory and strife: bema seat
Information sign More: Luke 18:1-8 Parable of the unjust judge
19. Pure ignorance
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 … whatsoever things are pure… [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]

Ivory Soap is 99.44% pure and it floats! That specific number appears to have resulted due to a rounding error in calculations that was then adopted as part of a marketing slogan.

[chaos theory]
In a sense, the Greek word for "pure" (rough breath) can be a play on words with "ignorant" (smooth breath). This may or may not be important here.


Information sign More: Ignorance of agnostic lack of belief
Information sign More: Greek: rough and smooth breathing
Information sign More: Germanic g to English y
20. Strongs - pure
21. Usage - pure
*G53 *8 ἁγνός (hag-nos') : from the same as G40; properly, clean, i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect:--chaste, clean, pure.
Word usage per chapter Words: αγνα αγνας αγνη αγνην=2 αγνον αγνος αγνους

This Greek word is used 8 times in the GNT, 5 times by Paul. This particular inflection is used 1 time in the GNT.
22. Lovely
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 … whatsoever things are lovely… [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]

23. Strongs - lovely
This word is used 1 time in the GNT and 1 time in the LXX (Septuagint) (in Esther and not in the Hebrew as in the KJV).
24. Usage - lovely
Word usage per chapter Words: προσφιλη

25. Good report
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 … whatsoever things are of good report… [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]

The Greek word for "good report" later went into English as "euphanism".
26. A report of speaking good in a famous way
A euphemism, from the Greek, is a term that is a nicer way of saying something. The word "euphemism" comes from two Greek words. Here we look at speaking good in a famous way.

Information sign More: Speaking evil in a famous way
27. Strongs - good report
28. Usage - good report
Word usage per chapter Words: ευφημα ευφημιας

This word is used 1 time in Philippians and 1 time in 2 Corinthians. Strongs considers these different words.
29. Bad and good reports
Verse route2 Corinthians 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; [kjv]
Verse routeδια δοξης και ατιμιας δια δυσφημιας και ευφημιας ως πλανοι και αληθεις [gnt]

In 2 Corinthians 6:8, Paul uses both the prefix "dis" for "bad" and "eu" for "good" in terms of "fame" or "news" or "report".

Information sign More: A colonoscopy of an annoying and disturbing difficulty
The Greek for "honor" is that of "opinion". The Greek for "dishonor" is that of "not honor" or "not valued".

Information sign More: Expectation of a glorious Greek opinion on a doxology
Information sign More: Whether this or that: What is your opinion on glory?
The Greek for "deceivers" is that of "wandering astray" as in a "planet".

Information sign More: Planets as wandering stars
30. 2 Corinthians 6:8
   2 Corinthians 6:8 
 All 
KJV: By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
Greek: δια δοξης και ατιμιας δια δυσφημιας και ευφημιας ως πλανοι και αληθεις
31. Virtue
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 … if there be any virtue… [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]

The Greek word for "virtue" had a long history in Greek philosophy.

It meant doing the right thing but had the association with Hercules and a life of hard tasks that needed to be completed.
32. Hercules choosing virtue over evil
Hercules at the crossroadsThe theme of Hercules making a decision between Kakia (vice, worthlessness) and Arete (virtue) was a common artistic theme in the Middle Ages (and at other times).

The idea of Kakia (vice) moved to that of "evil" and than of Arete (virtue) to that of "good".

Greek philosophy sometimes twisted the idea of "virtue" in ways that today seem somewhat strange.

Future topic Details are left as a future topic.



Information sign More: 1 Peter 2: The powerful goodness of virtue
33. Strongs - virtue
34. Usage - virtue
Word usage per chapter Words: αρετας αρετη=3 αρετην

The word is used 1 time by Paul, here. It is used by Peter 4 times.
35. Praise
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 … if there be any praise… [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]

Praise can be good (and obvious) or not so good (and not so obvious). The Greek word for "praise" is related to the Greek word for "enigma" and often translated as "dark sayings".

Information sign More: A dark and enigmatic praise
36. Strongs - praise
37. Usage - praise
Word usage per chapter Words: επαινον=7 επαινος=4

38. Think
Verse routePhilippians 4:8 … think on these things. [kjv]
Verse routeτο λοιπον αδελφοι οσα εστιν αληθη οσα σεμνα οσα δικαια οσα αγνα οσα προσφιλη οσα ευφημα ει τις αρετη και ει τις επαινος ταυτα λογιζεσθε [gnt]
Verse route… cogitate [v]

The ancient Greek word "λογίζομαι" ≈ "count, reckon". The English phrase "dead reckoning" refers to a way of determining one's estimated position (in space, time, etc.).

The Latin word "cogitate" ≈ "think" and is the source of the English word "cognition".
From the Greek, we are asked to "logically calculate" or "logically reason" about these words, not just "think" about these words and what they mean and how they might be applied to a Christian lifestyle.
39. Reckoning
The ancient Greek word "λογίζομαι" ≈ "count, reckon", the root word for "syllogism", appears in Luke 20:5.

Verse routeLuke 20:5 And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? [kjv]
Verse routeοι δε συνελογισαντο προς εαυτους λεγοντες οτι εαν ειπωμεν εξ ουρανου ερει δια τι ουκ επιστευσατε αυτω [gnt]



Information sign More: Logic: syllogisms
40. Luke 20:5

   Luke 20:5 
 All 
KJV: And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
Greek: οι δε συνελογισαντο προς εαυτους λεγοντες οτι εαν ειπωμεν εξ ουρανου ερει δια τι ουν ουκ επιστευσατε αυτω
41. Strongs - count
  • *G3049 *40 λογίζομαι (log-id'-zom-ahee) : middle voice from G3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively):--conclude, (ac-)count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).
    •  Usage 
     All 
    • ελογισθη *8
      •   Luke 22:37 ... in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for ...
      •   Romans 4:3 ... believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
      •   Romans 4:9 ... we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
      •   Romans 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in ...
      •   Romans 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
      •   Romans 4:23 ... sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
      •   Galatians 3:6 ... believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
      •   James 2:23 ... believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: ...
    • λογιζεται *5
      •   Romans 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, ...
      •   Romans 4:5 ... the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
      •   Romans 4:6 ... of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
      •   Romans 9:8 ... but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
      •   1 Corinthians 13:5 ... is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
    • λογιζομαι *5
      •   Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present ...
      •   2 Corinthians 10:2 ... when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if ...
      •   2 Corinthians 11:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very ...
      •   Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: ...
      •   1 Peter 5:12 ... brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, ...
    • λογιζεσθε *3
      •   John 11:50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that ...
      •   Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be ...
      •   Philippians 4:8 ... if there be any praise, think on these things.
    • λογιζεσθω *3
      •   1 Corinthians 4:1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers ...
      •   2 Corinthians 10:7 ... that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, ...
      •   2 Corinthians 10:11 Let such an one think this, that, such as ...
    • λογισθηναι *2
      •   Acts 19:27 ... goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence ...
      •   Romans 4:11 ... not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
    • λογισηται *2
      •   Romans 4:8 ... to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
      •   2 Corinthians 12:6 ... now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above ...
    • λογιζη
      •   Romans 2:3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest ...
    • λογισθησεται
      •   Romans 2:26 ... shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
    • λογιζομεθα
      •   Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without ...
    • λογιζεσθαι
      •   Romans 4:24 ... also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on ...
    • ελογισθημεν
      •   Romans 8:36 ... we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
    • λογιζομενω
      •   Romans 14:14 ... of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, ...
    • ελογιζομην
      •   1 Corinthians 13:11 ... I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but ...
    • λογισασθαι
      •   2 Corinthians 3:5 ... sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ...
    • λογιζομενος
      •   2 Corinthians 5:19 ... the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; ...
    • λογιζομενους
      •   2 Corinthians 10:2 ... when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if ...
    • λογισθειη
      •   2 Timothy 4:16 ... men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
    • λογισαμενος
      •   Hebrews 11:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, ...
42. Usage - count
Word usage per chapter Words: ελογιζομην ελογισθη=8 ελογισθημεν λογιζεσθαι λογιζεσθε=3 λογιζεσθω=3 λογιζεται=5 λογιζη λογιζομαι=5 λογιζομεθα λογιζομενος λογιζομενους λογιζομενω λογισαμενος λογισασθαι λογισηται=2 λογισθειη λογισθηναι=2 λογισθησεται
43. List of words
Special words
1=ε‑στιν is (1 lambda)
2=α‑λη‑θη true εληνα=
3=σεμ‑να important =Greek
4=δι‑και‑α righteous καινα=
5=αγ‑να pure =new
6= προ ‑σφι‑λη lovely
7=ευ‑ φη ‑μα good report  προφητη =
8=α‑ρε‑ τη  virtue =prophet
9=ε‑παι‑νος praise παιζε=
10=λο‑γι‑ζε‑σθε reasoned =plays
Pastors may try to fit the words into a Christian lifestyle.



We are asked to "logically" "calculate" or "reason" about the words, not "think".



Start by dividing the Greek words into syllables. There may be other ways.
Note: The "Greek" may be a female name and relate to the use of female names as codes in the previous verses. Another connection might be a feminine form of the ancient Greek word "Λῆμνος" ≈ "Lumnos" as an island and coming from a Semitic word for "white".
44. Syllable division
Divide the Greek words into syllables the way that Greek words are divided.

Contrived example using an English word:
45. Words
Pick out words within/between words
1=ε‑στιν 2=α‑λη‑θη 3=σεμ‑να εληνα Greek
4=δι‑και‑α 5=αγ‑να καινα new
6= προ ‑σφι‑λη 7=ευ‑ φη ‑μα 8=α‑ρε‑ τη  προφητη prophet
9=ε‑παι‑νος 10=λογιζεσθε παιζε plays

Read the words backwards. As with puns, word order and grammar rules can be relaxed (especially endings).

Now pick out the syllables from each successive word moving to the next syllable (when possible) in the next word. This usage supports the splitting and joining of names to get more meaning.
46. Additional words
Some other/additional words might be the following.

Pick out words within/between words
4=δι‑και‑α δια through
8=α‑ρε‑τη 9=ε‑παι‑νος 10=λογιζεσθε απαλο soft ‑ funny
8=α‑ρε‑τη 9=ε‑παι‑νος 10=λογιζεσθε απαλογι defense ‑ apology
9=ε‑παι‑νος ος as
10=λο‑γι‑ζε‑σθε λογιζεσθε reasoned
Another possible word, at the beginning and matching the pattern, but without the exact ending, is the ancient Greek word "ανακαιον" ≈ "prison" which would then be "prison prophet plays".
47. Prophet
The words, in order, of which the first, second and third syllables, in order, make the Greek word for "prophet" are used in the GNT are as follows.

Words that contain syllables for prophet
Word Meaning Used by
Paul		 Used else
in GNT
6= προ ‑σφι‑λη lovely 1 0
7=ευ‑ φη ‑μα good report 2 0
8=α‑ρε‑ τη  virtue 1 4
Strongs lists the word for "good report" as two separate words.
It appears that these three words were worked into the verse for some purpose, such as an encoding for "prophet".
48. Paraphrase
A paraphrase might be as follows.

Paraphrase: A reasoned logical defense as soft/funny/play was found by prophet (Paul) through a new Greek (Epaphroditus).

Could this be a signature block for the hidden dual authorship of the letter?

Might these words be here just by chance? In the security field, hiding a message in another message is called steganography.

Information sign More: Steganography: hidden messages
49. Letter organization
Why did Paul say to reckon or count or reason about these "things" (represented by the words)?

A pun or play on words often needs to be setup. Might this explain the resulting letter organization better than inferring many separate letters pieced together later?

Why do many of the same words appear in the letter at some point and then the same word appears later in the letter? In such cases, it is best to see how the word is used in both places and determine if there is some implied reason why that word was re-used.
50. End of page
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