Philippians 4:1
“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul tenderly urges his beloved Philippians, his joy and crown, to stand firm in the Lord.
What Does Philippians 4:1 Mean?
Having lifted their eyes to the coming Savior, Paul draws a conclusion of love. He calls the Philippians dearly beloved and longed for, his joy and crown, and urges them to stand fast in the Lord. The piling up of affectionate words shows how dear they are to him.
To call them his crown is striking; they are his prize and the visible reward of his labor, the wreath of victory he will present with joy at Christ's coming. And his single charge is simple: stand fast. In a world of pressures and false teachers, he wants them to hold their ground, rooted in the Lord. There is great encouragement in being so loved by a faithful teacher and in such a clear command. Whatever assaults come, the believer's task is to stand firm in Christ, immovable, and Paul's tender words give them every reason to do so.