Philippians 1:10

“That ye may approve things that are excellent, etc.] Or “try things that differ”. There are some things that differ one from other; as morality and grace, earthly things, and heavenly things, carnal and spiritual, temporal and eternal things, law and Gospel, the doctrines of men, and the doctrines of Christ; all which differ as much as chaff and wheat, as gold, silver, precious stones, and wood, hay, stubble. These are to be tried and proved; they are not to be received without distinction, but should be examined, which is right and best to be chosen and preferred; and to such trial and examination it is necessary that a man should be transformed, by the renewing of his mind, that he should…”

“Literally, "With a view to your proving (and so approving and embracing) the things that excel" (Rom 2:18); not merely things not bad, but the things best among those that are good; the things of more advanced excellence. Ask as to things, not merely, Is there no harm, but is there any good, and which is the best? sincere--from a Greek root. Examined in the sunlight and found pure. without offence--not stumbling; running the Christian race without falling through any stumbling-block, that is, temptation, in your way. till--rather, "unto," "against"; so that when the day of Christ comes, ye may be found pure and without offense.”

“That ye may approve things - Margin, “Or, try.” The word used here denotes the kind of trial to which metals are exposed in order to test their nature; and the sense here is, that the apostle wished them so to try the things that were of real value, as to discern that which was true and genuine. That are excellent - Margin: Or, “differ.” The margin here more correctly expresses the sense of the Greek word. The idea is, that he wished them to be able to distinguish between things that differed from each other; to have an intelligent apprehension of what was right and wrong - of what was good and evil. He would not have them love and approve all things indiscriminately. They should be esteemed…”

“That ye may try - By that spiritual sense. The things that are excellent - Not only good, but the very best; the superior excellence of which is hardly discerned, but by the adult Christian. That ye may be inwardly sincere - Having a single eye to the very best things, and a pure heart. And outwardly without offence - Holy, unblamable in all things. Philippians 1:11”

“ye: Isa 7:15, Isa 7:16; Amo 5:14, Amo 5:15; Mic 3:2; Joh 3:20; Rom 2:18, Rom 7:16, Rom 7:22, Rom 8:7; Rom 12:2, Rom 12:9 approve things that are excellent: or, try things that differ, Job 12:11, Job 34:3; Rom 12:2; Co2 11:13-15; Eph 5:10; Th1 5:21; Heb 5:12-14; Jo1 4:1; Rev 2:2 that ye may be: Phi 1:16; Gen 20:5; Jos 24:14; Joh 1:47; Act 24:16; Co2 1:12, Co2 2:17, Co2 8:8; Eph 4:15 \*marg. Eph 5:27, Eph 6:24; Th1 3:13, Th1 5:23 without: Mat 16:23, Mat 18:6, Mat 18:7, Mat 26:33; Rom 14:20, Rom 14:21, Rom 16:17; Co1 8:13, Co1 10:32; Co2 6:3; Gal 5:11; Th1 3:13 till: Co1 1:8 Philippians 1:11”