Philippians 4:1

Outline of 4:1-23

G.

Final exhortations and thanks: Philippians 4:1-23.

1.

Exhortation to stand fast; Philippians 4:1.

2.

Exhortation to two women to be in harmony; Philippians 4:2-3.

3.

Exhortation to joy (Philippians 4:4), forbearance (Philippians 4:5), and prayer (Philippians 4:6-7).

4.

Exhortation to right thinking; Philippians 4:8-9.

5.

Thanks for the Philippian's gift; Philippians 4:10-20.

a.

Paul's feelings; Philippians 4:10-13

(1)

He rejoiced in their Acts 4:10

(2)

He did not speak because of want; Philippians 4:11-13

(a)

He could be content in any state; Philippians 4:11-12

(b)

He could do all things in Christ; Philippians 4:13

b.

The Philippians-' fellowship with Paul; Philippians 4:14-16

(1)

They did well in their present act of fellowship; Philippians 4:14

(2)

In the past also they had fellowship with Paul; Philippians 4:15-16

c.

Paul's feelings (resumed); Philippians 4:17-20.

(1)

He did not seek their gift; Philippians 4:17

(2)

He sought fruit for them;

(3)

Because of their gift he now had sufficiency; Philippians 4:18

(4)

God would supply all their need; Philippians 4:19

(5)

Glory be to God; Philippians 4:20

Salutations and Benediction; Philippians 4:21-23

Philippians 4:1. Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.

Translation and Paraphrase

Philippians 4:1. So then, (in view of the glorious future that we look forward to,) my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and (my) crown (of glory), stand firm thus in the Lord, (my) beloved.

Notes

1.

Stand fast in the Lord. This is the main message of Philippians 4:1. Christians all need to stand firm, and not be swept away into sin or into accepting doctrines not plainly taught in the scriptures. Compare 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 3:8; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:12-14; Colossians 4:12; 1 Peter 5:12.

2.

The Wherefore at the beginning of Philippians 4:1 refers back to things stated in the preceding verses, that give us reasons for standing fast. We stand fast because Christ is powerful (Philippians 3:21), and because he will transform our lowly bodies when the dead are raised, and because our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

3.

My brethren. We should look upon our fellow Christians as brothers, for they truly are just that. Also we should call one another Brother. This practice appears a bit queer to worldly people (who after all do not have much brotherliness between one another!); but the very fact that we call one another Brother serves to emphasize the relationship and to assist us to practice brotherliness.

4.

Beloved. Notice the two occurrences of this word in Philippians 4:1.

5.

Longed for suggests the pain felt by Paul because of his separation from the Philippians.

6.

My joy. Christians should find a basic joy in fellowship with other Christians, as Paul did. 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

7.

My crown. There are two Greek words translated crown: (1) Diadem; a king's royal crown. This word occurs in the New Testament only in the book of Revelation. (2) Stephanos; This is the word used here. It refers to a woven crown such as was awarded to victors at races, and was made of such materials as olive branches, laurel, parsley, pine, myrtle, etc. This type of crown was also sometimes placed upon the heads of banqueters at feasts. Compare 1 Thessalonians 2:19; Proverbs 12:4.

The fact that the Philippians were Christians at all, and especially the fact that they were such good Christians was an adornment to Paul's reputation. On the day of judgment our converts will cause us to shine. as the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3. Thus they will be our crown.

8.

We stand fast in the Lord. (Philippians 4:1). We are of the same mind in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2). We rejoice in the Lord. (Philippians 4:4).

In this world with its cruelties, conflicting interests, and conflicting ideas, we either stand in the Lord, or we probably do not stand at all, but rather are like the waters that are blown about by shifting winds. Ephesians 4:14.