LOVE THAT APPROVES WHAT IS EXCELLENT
- Mikey Gonzalez
- Dec 11, 2024
- 5 min read
What does love have to do with wisdom—the kind that discerns what is most fruitful? Paul captures this connection in his letter to the church in Philippi. He understood that to walk in wisdom is to walk in and to be instructed by the love of God. Love illuminates wisdom, giving it purpose, and wisdom grounds love, making it fruitful.
Due to Philippi's location in ancient Macedonia as a Roman colony known for its patriotism, Paul and the Philippian church faced significant resistance and persecution when proclaiming Jesus as the true king rather than Caesar. Despite this, the Philippian church remained steadfast in their partnership in the proclamation and giving generously for the advancement of the gospel. Because of their faithfulness, Paul begins his letter and prayer with joyful thanksgiving for the church in Philippi.
Of course not everything is perfect and Paul knows that with the ever-increasing persecution, the church cannot afford pride or fault-finding in their midst but must instead foster unity within the community to remain unshaken. Thus, he prays for their continued fruitfulness in living out the gospel as they keep growing in wisdom that is instructed by love unto approving the things that are excellent.
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless (without offense) for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9–11 ESV)
Love abounds in discernment
"love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment" (Philippians 1:9 ESV)
Paul prays that the church—and we—would grow in understanding God’s love for us. This understanding, along with experiential knowledge and assurance, would turn into an overflow of that love through us to others. This love is not mere affection but is shown in action. It reflects the truth of God's character—merciful, compassionate, and slow to anger—manifested in the finished work of the cross and His ongoing leadership over us individually and corporately. As we experience and know His love and mercy, we learn to walk in it ourselves.
The love of God is unlike any other and Jesus is the only man qualified to define it. So Paul later in the letter to the Philippians describes this love as tender, humble, free from selfish ambition, valuing others above oneself, serving others, and even leading to death for the sake of your brother (Philippians 2:1–8).
This kind of love grants us true knowledge and discernment of God’s ways and will in all areas of life. It is what instructs us to walk worthy of the gospel and promote greater harmony within the fellowship (Philippians 1:27).
The excellent way
"so (in order) that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless (without offense) for the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:10 ESV)
As we grow in wisdom, instructed by God’s abounding love, we become better at discerning and choosing not just what is good but what is best—what is excellent. Life is not always a matter of choosing between right and wrong; often, there are multiple good options. Love enables us to thoughtfully consider, respectfully differ, and ultimately choose what holds the greatest value and aligns with God’s will—the excellent way. With knowledge and insight into God’s love, we are able to rejoice in what God calls excellent—His Son, His Word, His higher ways, and His people—and mature as Jesus’ disciples who follow in His footsteps and reflect His glory (Philippians 3:9-11), being pure, sincere, without hidden motives and neither giving offenses to God through our wrongdoings or by causing others to stumble and sin against God.
The word pure derives from the Greek words for “sunlight” and “judgment.” The Philippians—and our— transformation should be so thorough that the resulting purity could pass the toughest scrutiny—the light of God’s judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). When we look to the day of Christ it is not a threat, though it should give us the fear of the Lord, but an invitation to anticipate the day when all things will be made right and we will walk in righteousness. It invites us to examine our lives: Did we live for the glory of God? Did we invest our time, resources, and actions in what pleases Him and benefits others more so than ourselves?
Paul prays for us because he knows we need grace to follow through, to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength, to do everything unto the glory of God, to sincerely seek to see, feel, and speak about others in a way that is in agreement with God, to spend our lives in excellent ways.
walking in righteousness
"filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:11 ESV)
In light and anticipation of the day of Christ, Paul says, we will already produce much fruit, as we are reaching for excellence so that we would be even now what we already are in heaven— righteous. This starts by receiving Jesus’ free gift of righteousness and results in walking in a lifestyle of righteousness, that is filled and instructed with the right views of God and His Word in every area of our life. Each day, we grow—being filled—in living according to the reality of our salvation, which is sealed by the Holy Spirit living inside of us. As we abide in the vine, in the love of Christ, we will bear much fruit, the fruit of righteousness. Paul describes this fruit that the Spirit produces in Galatians as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23) being a reflection of the character of God.
By the love and grace of God, we are empowered to live righteously, choosing what is best and aligning with His will. As the family of God, our unity grows as we boast in the cross of Jesus Christ, die to ourselves, and let the love of God abound and overflow, thus letting our lives point to our Father above bringing Him praise and glory in all that we say, think, and do.
we pray
So, we join Paul’s prayer:
“Lord, let your love abound in our hearts and transform our thinking and actions as we grow in knowing you by the help of the Holy Spirit so that we would walk not in our ways, the world’s ways but in your ways, and walking worthy of the name we, your church as one, bear by belonging to the family of God, bringing you glory with all our lives.”
Bruce Barton et al., Life Application New Testament Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 2001).
Carson, D. A.. Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation. Baker Publishing Group.
Gordon D. Fee, Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995).
Ralph P. Martin, Philippians: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 11, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987).
G. Walter Hansen, The Letter to the Philippians, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009).