Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. (Philippians 4:1)

Because  (Therefore) of what Paul had just written in the previous verses about our citizenship being in heaven, about our waiting for Jesus’ return, and the transformation of our bodies to be like his that will take place, Paul now will give them some practical counsel. He always, in his letters, seeks to make sure to discuss the “rubber meeting the road” in our Christian life.

He calls them brothers in Christian belief and speaks of how special they are to him. He loves them (ἀγαπητός agapētos)^[1] and stresses this by repeating the same word at the end of this sentence. He truly missed and wished to be reunited with his friends and fellow believers at Philippi.

Paul goes on to call them his joy and crown. Paul looked to stand at the Bema seat of Christ and receive a crown because of his work with them. Paul speaks of this in 1 Thessalonians 2:19, where he says to the Thessalonian believers – “For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming?”[2] Paul saw the Philippian believers as a wreath of rejoicing at the Bema Seat, and they were a constant joy to him in this life here on Earth.

He then finishes the “therefore” he started. Stand firm recalls Roman soldiers who never retreated for fear of being killed by their commanders.^[3]  Don’t back down or retreat. He used the same term in chapter 1, verse 27. He uses this military term again – stand firm – (στήκω stēkō) which denotes firmness and courage. It means to stand up under judgment, to persevere under trial. Because of our citizenship, our coming transformation to Christ’s likeness, we need to keep on keeping on in the walk of a believer.

More in-depth Insights

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for. The Greek conjunction (ὥστε hōste) therefore is s reference back to chapter 3. The point Paul was making was even though there were many insincere Christians, that true Christians have the real hope of eternal life, and that genuine Christians were on the watch for the second coming of Christ, who would make those with a heavenly hope like himself, having their “citizenship” in the heavens. So, Paul exhorted them, “stand firm in the Lord.” The collection of descriptions of endearment is evidence of Paul’s loving concern for them and is indicative of his heartfelt attentiveness for their wellbeing and his serious belief that they were in danger. The Greek (ἐπιπόθητος epipothētos) rendered longed for means greatly or deeply desired, which characterized Paul’s great desire for the Philippians who could not be with him.

My joy. Paul could be joyful that this group of believers found Christ through his evangelistic efforts. He could draw joy from their walking with God and their unwavering friendship with him. The greatest joy for a Christian should of course be the family and then the friends from the church. For the pastor, it is for the sheep under his guidance. When he was about 98-years old, the aged apostle John wrote, “No greater joy do I have than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” – 3 John 4.

And crown. As was mentioned above 1 Thess. 2:19-20 says, “For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at his coming? For you are our glory and joy.” Paul’s ministry and his blessing of having over one hundred traveling companions resulted in forming many churches. But of the Christian congregation in Thessalonica, Paul rejoiced as they were “crown of boasting,” it and the congregation in Philippi was two of the greatest causes of joy for him. The congregation in Philippi was that in which the apostle could take great pride or pleasure, delight in boastfully.

In this way stand firm in the Lord. We need to stand firm in our working on behalf of the Lord and lean on the strength he imparts to us. –  Ephesians 6:13-14.

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[1] This is used of Christ being loved by the Father (Matthew 3:17), and in turn for fellow believers. See W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger and William White, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1996). Page 62.

[2] Presence; Coming: (παρουσία parousia) The Greek word which is rendered as “presence” is derived from para, meaning “with,” and ousia, meaning “being.” It denotes both an “arrival” and a consequent “presence with.” Depending on the context, it can mean “presence,” “arrival,” “appearance,” or “coming.” In some contexts, this word is describing the presence of Jesus Christ in the last days, i.e., from his ascension in 33 C.E. up unto his second coming, with the emphasis being on his second coming, the end of the age of Satan’s reign of terror over the earth. We do not know the day nor the hours of this second coming. (Matt 24:36) It covers a marked period of time with the focus on the end of that period. – Matt. 24:3, 27, 37, 39; 1 Cor. 15:23; 16:17; 2 Cor. 7:6-7; 10:10; Php 1:26; 2:12; 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:2.

[3] Holman Bible Editorial Staff, ed., HCSB Study Bible (Kindle Locations 147153-147159), ed. Holman Bible Editorial Staff (B&H Publishing Group Kindle Edition, 2010).