“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
Paul was challenging Euodia and Syntyche to think in an entirely different way. They suffered defeat because of bitterness towards each other. If they were to conquer these thoughts, they must replace them with the way God thinks.
The second item that will counteract bitterness is to think about that which is “noble.”
“whatever things are noble”
“Noble” is that which is worthy of worship or reverence. “Noble” signifies that which claims respect. Some things are base, mean, frivolous, or flippant. These things do not carry respect. We respect things for their moral or spiritual quality. This word is used in 1 Tim. 3:8, 11 and Titus 2:2 of church officers. This quality makes them worthy of respect. Venerate each other.
Euodia needed to respect Syntyche. Syntyche needed to find what she could respect about Euodia. Instead of tearing each other down, we should find areas where we can honor each other. Esteem is a building block of a good relationship.
Principle:
Mutual respect is a building block of a good relationship.
Application:
Do you seek to find what you can respect in another person? Is your orientation to find fault in other people? Do you try to discover the commendable side of other people?
