Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you must stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Therefore
This word serves as a bridge, connecting the previous teachings and exhortations of Paul to the practical application he is about to give. In the Greek, "ὥστε" (hōste) indicates a conclusion drawn from what has been previously stated. Paul has been discussing the citizenship of believers in heaven and the transformation that awaits them. "Therefore" signals that what follows is a direct consequence of these truths.

my brothers
The Greek term "ἀδελφοί" (adelphoi) is often used to refer to both male and female members of the Christian community, emphasizing the familial bond among believers. Paul’s use of "my brothers" underscores the deep personal connection and affection he feels for the Philippian church, highlighting the unity and love that should characterize the body of Christ.

whom I love and long for
The Greek words "ἀγαπητοί" (agapetoi) and "ἐπιπόθητοι" (epipothētoi) express a profound affection and yearning. "Agapetoi" is derived from "agape," the highest form of love, often associated with divine love. "Epipothētoi" conveys an intense desire or longing, suggesting Paul’s deep emotional connection and pastoral concern for the Philippians, reflecting the heart of a shepherd for his flock.

my joy and crown
The word "χαρά" (chara) for "joy" indicates a deep-seated gladness that transcends circumstances, rooted in the spiritual success and faithfulness of the Philippians. "Crown" translates from "στέφανος" (stephanos), referring to a victor’s wreath awarded in athletic contests. This metaphor suggests that the Philippians’ faithfulness is both a source of personal joy for Paul and a testament to his apostolic labor, symbolizing victory and honor.

that is how you must stand firm
The phrase "στήκετε" (stēkete) means to stand firm or be steadfast. It is a call to spiritual stability and perseverance in the face of trials. Paul is urging the Philippians to remain unwavering in their faith, grounded in the truths he has taught them. This steadfastness is not passive but an active, resolute commitment to the gospel.

in the Lord
The phrase "ἐν Κυρίῳ" (en Kyriō) emphasizes the sphere and source of their strength and stability. It is only through their relationship with Christ, "the Lord," that they can stand firm. This underscores the centrality of Christ in the believer’s life, as the foundation and enabler of their spiritual endurance.

my beloved
The Greek "ἀγαπητοί" (agapetoi) is repeated here, reinforcing the deep love Paul has for the Philippians. This repetition serves to bookend the verse with love, framing his exhortation in the context of a loving relationship. It reflects the heart of a pastor who deeply cares for his congregation, urging them to live out their faith with love and perseverance.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul
The apostle who authored the letter to the Philippians. He is writing from prison, expressing his deep affection and pastoral concern for the believers in Philippi.

2. Philippians
The recipients of the letter, the Christian community in Philippi, a city in Macedonia. They were known for their strong faith and partnership in the gospel.

3. Philippi
A Roman colony in Macedonia, significant for being the first European city where Paul established a church.
Teaching Points
Affectionate Leadership
Paul’s language reflects a deep love and longing for the Philippians, serving as a model for how leaders should care for their communities. Leaders today should cultivate genuine affection and concern for those they lead.

Spiritual Stability
The command to "stand firm in the Lord" emphasizes the importance of spiritual stability. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, especially in the face of trials and challenges.

Community as Joy and Reward
Paul views the Philippians as his "joy and crown," suggesting that the relationships and spiritual growth within a community are a source of joy and a reward for faithful ministry. Christians should invest in their communities, finding joy in mutual growth and encouragement.

Eternal Perspective
The imagery of a "crown" points to an eternal reward, reminding believers to maintain an eternal perspective in their daily lives and relationships.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul’s expression of love and longing for the Philippians challenge or inspire your relationships within your own faith community?

2. In what ways can you "stand firm in the Lord" in your current circumstances? Consider practical steps you can take to strengthen your spiritual stability.

3. Reflect on a time when your faith community has been a source of joy and encouragement for you. How can you contribute to making your community a "joy and crown" for others?

4. How does the concept of an eternal "crown" influence your daily decisions and priorities? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with an eternal perspective?

5. Compare Paul’s exhortation to "stand firm" in Philippians 4:1 with similar exhortations in other Pauline letters. What common themes do you find, and how can they be applied to your life today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20
Paul refers to the Thessalonians as his "joy and crown," similar to his expression in Philippians 4:1, highlighting the deep affection and spiritual pride he feels for the believers he has nurtured.

1 Corinthians 16:13
Paul exhorts the Corinthians to "stand firm in the faith," paralleling his encouragement to the Philippians to "stand firm in the Lord."

Ephesians 6:10-18
The call to "stand firm" is expanded with the imagery of the armor of God, emphasizing the spiritual resources available to believers.
A Tender ExhortationAlexander MaclarenPhilippians 4:1
Farewell WordsAlexander MaclarenPhilippians 4:1
How to Obey an Impossible InjunctionAlexander MaclarenPhilippians 4:1
SteadfastnessW.F. Adeney Philippians 4:1
The Duty of SteadfastnessT. Croskery Philippians 4:1
Christian LoveJ. Lyth, D. D.Philippians 4:1-3
Christian LoveJames Hamilton, D. D.Philippians 4:1-3
Christian StabilityC. Hodge, D. D.Philippians 4:1-3
Christian SteadfastnessWeekly PulpitPhilippians 4:1-3
Dearly Beloved and Longed ForJ. Lyth, D. D.Philippians 4:1-3
Love the Gauge of ManhoodH. W. Beecher.Philippians 4:1-3
Ministerial QualificationsJ. Hall, D. D., A. Maclaren, D. D.Philippians 4:1-3
Paul an Example of Ministerial Solicitude and AffectionR. P. Buddicom, M. A.Philippians 4:1-3
Stand FastC. H. Spurgeon.Philippians 4:1-3
Stand FastC. H. Spurgeon.Philippians 4:1-3
Steadfastness in the LordR. Johnstone, LL. B.Philippians 4:1-3
The Bright Side of a Minister's LifeT. De Witt Talmage, D. D.Philippians 4:1-3
The Minister's Joy and CrownR. Johnstone, LL. B.Philippians 4:1-3
The Pastor's Joy and CrownJ. Lyth, D. D.Philippians 4:1-3
The Professional MinisterT. Guthrie, D. D.Philippians 4:1-3
The Secret of SteadfastnessS. S. ChroniclePhilippians 4:1-3
The Watchword for Today, Stand FastC. H. Spurgeon.Philippians 4:1-3
Unity of Service At PhilippiH. Quick.Philippians 4:1-3
Genuine ChurchismD. Thomas Philippians 4:1-6
Various ExhortationsR. Finlayson Philippians 4:1-7
The Life of Joy and PeaceR.M. Edgar Philippians 4:1-9
People
Clement, Epaphroditus, Euodias, Paul, Philippians, Syntyche
Places
Macedonia, Philippi, Thessalonica
Topics
Beloved, Brethren, Brothers, Crown, Dear, Dearly, Dearly-loved, Fast, Firm, Friends, Joy, Longed, Love, Loved, Ones, Stand, Strong, Thus, Wherefore
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Philippians 4:1

     5184   standing
     5280   crown
     5781   affection
     8287   joy, experience
     8289   joy, of church
     8298   love, for one another
     8418   endurance

Philippians 4:1-3

     5691   friends, good

Library
November 24. "I Can do all Things through Christ" (Phil. Iv. 13).
"I can do all things through Christ" (Phil. iv. 13). A dear sister said one day: "I have so much work to do that I have not time to get strength to do it by waiting on the Lord." Surely that was making bricks without straw, and even if it was the name of the Lord and the church, it was the devil's bondage. God sends not His servants on their own charges; but "He is able to make all grace abound towards us, that we, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound unto every good work." The
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

March 24. "And Again I Say, Rejoice" (Phil. Iv. 4).
"And again I say, rejoice" (Phil. iv. 4). It is a good thing to rejoice in the Lord. Perhaps you found the first dose ineffectual. Keep on with your medicine, and when you cannot feel any joy, when there is no spring, and no seeming comfort and encouragement, still rejoice, and count it all joy. Even when you fall into divers temptations, reckon it joy, and delight, and God will make your reckoning good. Do you suppose your Father will let you carry the banner of His victory and His gladness on to
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

August 24. "Let Your Moderation be Known unto all Men" (Phil. Iv. 5).
"Let your moderation be known unto all men" (Phil. iv. 5). The very test of consecration is our willingness not only to surrender the things that are wrong, but to surrender our rights, to be willing to be subject. When God begins to subdue a soul, He often requires us to yield the things that are of little importance in themselves, and thus break our neck and subdue our spirit. No Christian worker can ever be used of God until the proud self-will is broken, and the heart is ready to yield to God's
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

May 26. "Be Careful for Nothing; but in Everything by Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving Let Your Requests be Made Known unto God" (Phil. Iv. 6).
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. iv. 6). Commit means to hand over, to trust wholly to another. So, if we give our trials to Him, He will carry them. If we walk in righteousness He will carry us through. "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you in due time." There are two hands there--God's hand pressing us down, humbling us, and then God's hand lifting
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

December 17. "Be Careful for Nothing" (Phil. Iv. 6).
"Be careful for nothing" (Phil. iv. 6). What is the way to lay your burden down? "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls." "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." That is the way to take His burden up. You will find that His burden is always light. Yours is a very heavy one. Happy day if you have exchanged burdens and laid down your loads at His blessed feet to take up His own instead. God wants to rest His workers,
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

March 10. "The Peace of God which Passeth all Understanding Shall Keep Your Hearts and Minds" (Phil. Iv. 7).
"The peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds" (Phil. iv. 7). It is not peace with God, but the peace of God. "The peace that passes all understanding" is the very breath of God in the soul. He alone is able to keep it, and He can so keep it that "nothing shall offend us." Beloved, are you there? God's rest did not come till after His work was over, and ours will not. We begin our Christian life by working, trying and struggling in the energy of the flesh to save
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

A Tender Exhortation
'Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.'--PHIL. iv. 1. The words I have chosen set forth very simply and beautifully the bond which knit Paul and these Philippian Christians together, and the chief desire which his Apostolic love had for them. I venture to apply them to ourselves, and I speak now especially to the members of my own church and congregation. I. Let us note, then, first, the personal bond which gives force
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Names in the Book of Life
'Other my fellow-labourers whose names are in the book of life.'--PHIL. iv. 3. Paul was as gentle as he was strong. Winsome courtesy and delicate considerateness lay in his character, in beautiful union with fiery impetuosity and undaunted tenacity of conviction. We have here a remarkable instance of his quick apprehension of the possible effects of his words, and of his nervous anxiety not to wound even unreasonable susceptibilities. He had had occasion to mention three of his fellow-workers, and
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Rejoice Evermore
'Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, rejoice!'--PHIL. iv. 4. It has been well said that this whole epistle may be summed up in two short sentences: 'I rejoice'; 'Rejoice ye!' The word and the thing crop up in every chapter, like some hidden brook, ever and anon sparkling out into the sunshine from beneath the shadows. This continual refrain of gladness is all the more remarkable if we remember the Apostle's circumstances. The letter shows him to us as a prisoner, dependent on Christian charity
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Warrior Peace
'The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.'--PHIL. iv. 7. The great Mosque of Constantinople was once a Christian church, dedicated to the Holy Wisdom. Over its western portal may still be read, graven on a brazen plate, the words, 'Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.' For four hundred years noisy crowds have fought, and sorrowed, and fretted, beneath the dim inscription in an unknown tongue;
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Think on These Things
' . . . Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.'--PHIL. iv. 8. I am half afraid that some of you may think, as I have at times thought, that I am too old to preach to the young. You would probably listen with more attention to one less remote from you in years, and may be disposed to
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How to Obey an Impossible Injunction
'Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.'--PHIL. iv. 6. It is easy for prosperous people, who have nothing to trouble them, to give good advices to suffering hearts; and these are generally as futile as they are easy. But who was he who here said to the Church at Philippi, 'Be careful for nothing?' A prisoner in a Roman prison; and when Rome fixed its claws it did not usually let go without drawing blood.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Farewell Words
'Now unto our God and Father be the glory for ever and ever, Amen. Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me salute you. All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.'--PHIL. iv. 20-23 (R.V.). These closing words fall into three unconnected parts, a doxology, greetings, and a benediction. As in all his letters, the Apostle follows the natural instinct of making his last words loving words.
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

How to Say 'thank You'
'But I rejoice in the Lord greatly, that now at length ye have revived your thought for me; wherein ye did indeed take thought, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know also how to abound: in everything and in all things have I learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in want. I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me. Howbeit
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gifts Given, Seed Sown
'And ye yourselves also know, ye Philippians, that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church had fellowship with me in the matter of giving and receiving, but ye only; for even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my need. Not that I seek for the gift; but I seek for the fruit that increaseth to your account. But I have all things, and abound: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
The point to which I would draw your attention is this: that whether it be the general prayer or the specific supplication we are to offer either or both "with thanksgiving." We are to pray about everything, and with every prayer we must blend our thanksgivings. Hence it follows that we ought always to be in a thankful condition of heart: since we are to pray without ceasing, and are not to pray without thanksgiving, it is clear that we ought to be always ready to give thanks unto the Lord. We must
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 25: 1879

How to Keep the Heart
This evening we shall use another figure, distinct from the one used in the morning, of the reservoir. We shall use the figure of a fortress, which is to be kept. And the promise saith that it shall be kept--kept by "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, through Christ Jesus." Inasmuch as the heart is the most important part of man--for out of it are the issues of life--it would be natural to expect that Satan, when he intended to do mischief to manhood, would be sure to make his strongest
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

Contentment
We, my brethren, might well be willing to endure Paul's infirmities, and share the cold dungeon with him, if we too might by any means attain unto such a degree of contentment. Do not indulge, any of you, the silly notion that you can be contented without learning, or learn without discipline. It is not a power that may be exercised naturally, but a science to be acquired gradually. The very words of the next text might suggest this, even if we did not know it from experience. We need not be taught
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

The Bible the Great Civilizer
(Fourth Sunday in Lent.) PHILIPPIANS iv. 8. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. It may not be easy to see what this text has to do with the story of Joseph, which we have just been reading, or with the meaning of the Bible of which I have been speaking to you
Charles Kingsley—The Gospel of the Pentateuch

Preface. And as to Christ Thy Lord
Preface. and as to Christ thy Lord, most comely "as the lily among thorns," being his "love among the daughters," Cant. ii. 2. so also, thou, in a special way, art the dearly beloved and longed for, the joy and crown, of every sincere servant of Christ in the gospel, Phil. iv. 1. Thou art, if not the only, yet the chief object of their labours, their work being either to confirm and strengthen thee in thy way, that thou mayest so stand fast in the Lord, or remove impediments, make crooked things
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Christmas Peace
(Sunday before Christmas.) Phil. iv. 4. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. This is a glorious text, and one fit to be the key-note of Christmas-day. If we will take it to heart, it will tell us how to keep Christmas-day. St. Paul has been speaking of two good women, who seem to have had some difference; and he beseeches them to make up their difference, and be of the same mind in the Lord. And then he goes on to tell them, and all Christian people, why they should make up their
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 The Fellowship of Prayer (Philippians 4:6.) Chapter 2 Our Requests Made Known unto God (Philippians 4:6.) Chapter 3 God's Peace Obtained in Answer to Prayer (Philippians 4:6, 7.) Chapter 4 The Praying that Glorifies God (John 14:13.) Chapter 5 Praying without Doubting (Mark 11:23.) Chapter 6 Praying with Desire (Mark 11:24.) Chapter 7 A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer (Acts 4:31.) Chapter 8 The Intercessory Prayers of Christians (Luke 11:5, 6.) Chapter 9 The Three Essentials of
T. M. Anderson—Prayer Availeth Much

Worry Versus Peace
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.' (Philippians iv. 6, 7.) Before the full bearing and value of these verses can be realized, I think they require to be read several times over. Even if the sentences are read through slowly, just as they stand, a deep sense of blessing and rest steals into
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

Jehovah
"That men may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the most High over all the earth." Among all the names of God perhaps the most comprehensive is the name Jehovah. Cruden describes this name as the incommunicable name of God. The word Jehovah means the self-existing One, the "I am"; and it is generally used as a direct revelation of what God is. In several places an explanatory word is added, revealing some one of His special characteristics; and it is to these that I want particularly
Hannah Whitall Smith—The God of All Comfort

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