Philippians 4:1

English Standard Version

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Contextual Overview

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Therefore: Philippians 3:20, Philippians 3:21, 2 Peter 3:11-14

and: Philippians 1:8, Philippians 2:26

my joy: Philippians 2:16, 2 Corinthians 1:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 1 Thessalonians 2:20, 1 Thessalonians 3:9

so: Philippians 1:27, Psalms 27:14, Psalms 125:1, Matthew 10:22, John 8:31, John 15:3, John 15:4, Acts 2:42, Acts 11:23, Acts 14:22, Romans 2:7, 1 Corinthians 15:58, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Galatians 5:1, Ephesians 6:10-18, Colossians 4:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:8, 1 Thessalonians 3:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, 2 Timothy 2:1, Hebrews 3:14, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 10:23, Hebrews 10:35, Hebrews 10:36, 2 Peter 3:17, Jude 1:20, Jude 1:21, Jude 1:24, Jude 1:25, Revelation 3:10, Revelation 3:11

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 29:9 - David Job 31:36 - a crown Luke 15:6 - his Acts 13:43 - persuaded Romans 1:11 - I long Romans 16:8 - my 1 Corinthians 10:14 - my 2 Corinthians 9:14 - long 2 Corinthians 12:14 - for I 2 Corinthians 12:19 - dearly Philippians 1:4 - with Philippians 1:14 - brethren Philippians 2:12 - my beloved 1 Thessalonians 2:8 - dear 2 Timothy 1:2 - Timothy Philemon 1:20 - let me Hebrews 13:17 - with joy James 1:16 - my

Cross-References

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Gill's Notes on the Bible

Therefore, my brethren,.... Not in a natural but spiritual relation; having the same Father, being of the same family, and household of faith: seeing that on the one hand there were false teachers, who stand described by various characters in the preceding chapter, by whom they were in danger of being carried away from the simplicity of the Gospel; and on the other hand, such were the conduct and conversation of the apostle, and other true believers, and such were their expectations of Christ from heaven, and of happiness from him as there expressed; therefore he exhorts to steadfastness in him, and that under the most tender, affectionate, and endearing appellations; given in the uprightness of his soul, without any manner of flattery, to signify his strong affection for them, and to engage them to attend the more to what he was about to exhort them to; and which arose from pure love to them, an hearty concern for their good, and the honour of Christ Jesus:

dearly beloved: as belonging to Christ, interested in him, members of him, redeemed by him, and bearing his image; and as his brethren, and so not loved with a carnal, but spiritual love:

and longed for; to see them, converse with them, and impart some spiritual gift to them; being the excellent in the earth, as other saints, towards whom was his desire, and with whom was all his delight. These epithets are joined with the word "brethren", in the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, and read thus, "my dearly beloved, and longed for brethren"; and in the Ethiopic version, "our beloved brethren": to which are added,

my joy and crown; they were matter of joy to him, as he had reason to hope well of them; yea, to be confident that the good work was begun, and would be carried on in them; and that they had hitherto continued in the doctrine of the Gospel, and walked worthy of it; and they were his "crown", as they were seals of his ministry; and whom he valued more, and reckoned a greater honour and ornament to him, than the richest diadem, set with the most costly jewels and precious stones, and which he hoped and believed would be his crown of rejoicing another day; when he, with them, should stand at the hand of Christ triumphing, as victors crowned, ever sin, Satan, the world, death, and hell:

so stand fast in the Lord; or "by the Lord"; by his power and strength, which is only able to make to stand fast; saints are liable to failing, and would fall, were they not upheld with his right hand, and kept by his power; they only stand fast, as they stand supported by his strength, trusting in his might, and leaning on his arm. Christ is the only foundation where they can stand safe and sure; and such as are rooted and grounded, and built up in him, are established and stand; though they are still in need of being exhorted to hold the head, abide by him, and cleave unto him; to stand fast in his grace, exercising the graces of faith, hope, and love upon him; in the liberty of Christ, in opposition to the bondage of the law, false teachers were for bringing them into; and in the doctrine of faith, and not depart from it in any degree, nor give way in the least to the opposers of it, but continue steadfast in it without wavering, and which is chiefly intended here: so the Arabic version renders it, "so stand in the faith of the Lord"; both in the grace faith, and in the doctrine of it, and in the profession of both: see 1 Corinthians 16:13. The apostle bids them so stand fast; that is, either as they had hitherto done, or as they had him and others for an example; whose views, conversation, and behaviour, are described in the foregoing chapter:

[my] dearly beloved; this, which otherwise would be a repetition of what is before said, is by some connected with the former clause, and read thus, "so stand fast my dearly beloved in the Lord"; and contains a reason, both why they were dearly beloved by the apostle, because beloved in and by the Lord; and why it became them to stand fast in him, and abide by him, his truths, ordinances, cause, and interest.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for - Doddridge unites this verse with the previous chapter, and supposes that it is the proper close of the solemn statement which the apostle makes there. The word “therefore” - ὥστε hōste - has undoubted reference to the remarks made there; and the meaning is, that in view of the fact that there were many professed Christians who were not sincere - that the “citizenship” of all true Christians was in heaven, and that Christians looked for the coming of the Lord Jesus, who would make them like to himself, the apostle exhorts them to stand fast in the Lord. The accumulation of epithets of endearment in this verse shows his tender regard for them, and is expressive of his earnest solicitude for their welfare, and his deep conviction of their danger. The term “longed for” is expressive of strong affection; see Philippians 1:8, and Philippians 2:26.

My joy - The source of my joy. He rejoiced in the fact that they had been converted under him; and in their holy walk, and their friendship. Our chief joy is in our friends; and the chief happiness of a minister of the gospel is in the pure lives of those to whom he ministers; see 3 John 1:4.

And crown - Compare 1 Thessalonians 2:19. The word “crown” means a circlet, chaplet, or diadem:

(1)As the emblem of royal dignity - the symbol of office;

(2)As the prize conferred on victors in the public games, 1 Corinthians 9:25, and hence, as an emblem of the rewards of a future life; 2 Timothy 4:8; Jam 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4;

(3)Anything that is an ornament or honor, as one glories in a crown; compare Proverbs 12:4, “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband;” Proverbs 14:24, “The crown of the wise is their riches;” Proverbs 16:31, “The hoary head is a crown of glory;” Proverbs 17:6, “Children’s children are the crown of old men.”

The idea here is, that the church at Philippi was that in which the apostle gloried. He regarded it as a high honor to have been the means of founding such a church, and he looked upon it with the same interest with which a monarch looks upon the diadem which he wears.

So stand fast in the Lord - In the service of the Lord, and in the strength which he imparts; see the notes at Ephesians 6:13-14.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

CHAPTER IV.

The apostle exhorts them to stand fast in the Lord, 1.

And beseeches Euodias and Syntyche to be of one mind in Divine

things, 2.

And requests his true yokefellow to help them to a good

understanding, 3.

Gives them directions concerning their temper and frame of mind,

4-7.

And how to act in all respects as becomes the purity and

excellence of the Gospel, as they had heard from and seen in

him, 8, 9.

Thanks them for their attention to him in his captivity, in

sending him what was necessary for his support, though he had

learned to be contented in all situations in life, 10-14.

Mentions particular cases in which they had ministered to him;

promises them, through the riches of glory in Christ, a supply

of all their spiritual wants; and renders thanks to God, 15-20.

Salutes all the saints, and those particularly of the emperor's

household, 21, 22.

And concludes with his usual apostolical benediction, 23.

NOTES ON CHAP. IV.

Verse Philippians 4:1. Therefore, my - beloved — Because ye have this armour, and those enemies, and God for your support, see that ye stand fast in him. This verse most unquestionably belongs to the preceding chapter.