A remarkable event took place at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A relatively unknown Scottish swimmer named Emma MacLeod didn't win gold—she didn't even medal. But her post-race interview went viral worldwide. Asked about her fourth-place finish, she said, "I gave everything I had. That's excellence to me—not the podium, but knowing I stewarded every gift God gave me." Her words sparked a global conversation about what true excellence means. In an era obsessed with winning at any cost, MacLeod's perspective echoed an ancient truth: biblical excellence isn't about outperforming others but about moral greatness that reflects God's character. When Paul urged believers to think on "whatever is excellent" (Philippians 4:8), he wasn't promoting competitive achievement but calling them to pursue the kind of virtue that transforms both character and community.
Think On Whatever is Excellent – What Does Paul Mean?
When Paul urges believers in Philippians 4:8 to dwell on “whatever is excellent,” he uses the Greek word aretē (ἀρετή), which carries the sense of uncommon character, moral virtue, and exceptional merit. In ancient culture, aretē described the highest standard of civic and personal virtue—qualities worthy of admiration and imitation. Paul’s call is not about perfectionism or worldly achievement, but about moral excellence: living with integrity, courage, and wholehearted devotion to God in every sphere of life.
Excellence, in the biblical sense, means striving for the highest good in character and conduct, reflecting God’s own nature. It’s about doing everything “as unto the Lord,” whether seen or unseen, big or small. Excellence is not for self-glory, but for God’s glory and the good of others.
Jesus: Excellence on Display
Christ's earthly ministry provided the ultimate demonstration of aretēin action. The crowds who witnessed His healing ministry declared with astonishment, "He has done all things well; He makes even the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak" (Mark 7:37). This wasn't merely an acknowledgement of successful outcomes—it was recognition of excellence that permeated every aspect of His character and work.
Jesus' excellence manifested in multiple dimensions. His teaching was marked by wisdom that amazed even the temple scholars when He was just twelve years old (Luke 2:40-47). His self-control was evident when He cleansed the temple with righteous anger yet maintained perfect composure and authority. Even under unjust persecution, He demonstrated excellence through forbearance and patience, never retaliating or weakening under pressure.
Perhaps most remarkably, Jesus pursued excellence not for personal glory but to honour His Father. His prayer in John 17:4 perfectly captures this: "I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do." His excellence was always directed toward God's purposes and the blessing of others.
The Early Church: Committed to the Standard of Excellence
The early church followed Christ’s example by seeking excellence in community life, service, and witness. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42)—not out of duty but out of a desire to give God their best. Their generosity, unity, and courage in the face of persecution were public testimony to the transforming power of Christ.
Paul challenged believers to do everything “for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31), whether eating, working, or serving. Excellence was not reserved for public ministry; it was expected in daily life, relationships, and even the most ordinary tasks. The church’s pursuit of excellence inspired respect from outsiders and drew many to faith.
Their excellence extended beyond economics to character integrity. When selecting deacons, the apostles required men "of good repute" (Acts 6:3), prioritising moral excellence over mere competency. Stephen exemplified this standard, described as "full of grace and power" (Acts 6:8), demonstrating excellence that combined character with effectiveness.
Paul modelled this standard, writing to the Thessalonians about his "holy and righteous and blameless" conduct among them (1 Thessalonians 2:10). The early church's reputation for excellence became so compelling that even critics acknowledged its moral superiority—pagan emperor Julian the Apostate grudgingly admitted, "These Galileans feed not only their poor but ours also."
Application
Here are some practical steps to consider applying at this stage:
- Stewardship over Perfection: True excellence focuses on faithfully stewarding God-given gifts rather than achieving flawless performance. As Ecclesiastes instructs, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). This means the single mother working two jobs can pursue excellence just as much as the CEO, both by maximising their stewardship of time, talents, and opportunities.
- Ordinary Faithfulness: Excellence often appears in mundane moments rather than spectacular achievements. Paul reminded the Thessalonians to "aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands" (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Excellence in marriage, parenting, and daily work often matters more than excellence in impressive public endeavours.
- Excellence as Worship: Paul instructs believers: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" (Colossians 3:23-24). This transforms every task—from parenting to professional responsibilities—into an opportunity for worship through excellence. A teacher pursuing aretē doesn't just deliver curriculum effectively but does so with integrity, compassion, and genuine care for student flourishing.
- Express Excellence that Inspires: True excellence is contagious. It inspires trust, encourages growth, and points people to Christ. When we pursue excellence, we become witnesses to God’s greatness, showing the world a different way to live—one marked by integrity, generosity, and love. Our pursuit of excellence can transform workplaces, families, and communities, just as the early church transformed the world around them
Three years after Emma MacLeod's Olympic interview, swimming coaches worldwide reported a shift in how they trained young athletes. Instead of focusing solely on times and rankings, many began emphasising character development and personal growth. MacLeod herself became a sought-after speaker, not for her swimming achievements but for her perspective on true excellence. Her influence demonstrated aretē in action—moral excellence that naturally inspires others toward greatness. As we think on "whatever is excellent," we become agents of the transformation our world desperately needs.
For His Name’s Sake
C. L. J. Dryden
Shalom
Next Steps
Reflect: How does thinking about whatever is excellent affect your approach to all aspects of life?
Pray: Holy and Righteous God, from creation to the eternal consummation, we see your marvellous works and are given a glimpse of your glorious excellence. Help that glimpse to draw us to think on these things and turn those thoughts into acts.
Act: Identify three important activities you will conduct in the coming week. As you consider them, how will those activities be conducted to a godly standard of excellence?
