Philippians 4:1

Therefore, my brethren; &c.— There is no more reason for making this the beginning of a new chapter, than there would be for disjoining the last verse of 1 Corinthians 15. (in a sense exactly parallel to this,) from the preceding discourse on the resurrection, with which it is so beautifully and properly connected. The variety of words here used by the Apostle is remarkable,—My brethren,—dearly beloved, and longed for;—my joy and crown; repeating again one of the terms at the end of the verse, as though he thought he could never apply words enough to express the greatness of his love and tenderness to them. The word so refers to his immediately foregoing discourse; "So stand fast as I have exhorted you: follow this my example which I have earnestly recommended to you; and be accordingly solicitous, in defiance of all the insinuations of such as would seduce you, to persevere in your dependance on Christ, and to press after that state of future happiness which he will shortly bestow upon his saints." But since the word may be supposed to denote a continued and persevering posture, it seems not unreasonable to allow, that he may herein have a respect to their past behaviour, and the steadfastness for which he had before commended them.