Philippians 4:9, commentary and pictures

The command is to do what was learned and received and heard and seen in Paul and in faithful examples, and the promise joined to that obedience is that the God of peace shall be with those who do. Standing fast in the Lord means not only reading the Bible but bringing its principles into practical life. The true, honest, just, pure, lovely, reputable, virtuous and praiseworthy things to think on, including the qualities named in the preceding verse, must then be practiced and not only thought about.

This doing calls for heedful obedience and a life of service to God. This doing includes transformation of character, practicing the virtues of Christ, putting away thoughtless words and unjust censure of others and wrathful bitter feelings, and walking in love. This doing shapes daily life down to small actions and words. Failing to live out the truth leaves character unchanged and causes harm to oneself and others.

This doing is done by relying on Christ rather than on one's own strength. This doing is how the living leaven of truth works deadly error out of the heart. Those who so practice have God glorified in them. The verse supports guarding the mind and keeping it under God's control, clear, pure and healthy, and surrendering it to the Holy Spirit for sanctification through the truth.

The only true education is walking humbly with God by such doing, in contrast to receiving the mold of human ideas and the world's so-called higher education that causes departing from the faith, because the Word of God just as it reads contains the very essence of truth and the highest education is keeping the law of God. Such doing means standing fast in the Lord, letting moderation be known because the Lord is at hand, and being anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving letting requests be made known to God. The verse applies to living as Christ lived, guarding the faith, and resisting teachings that produce confusion and strife.