Paragraph 4:1

Paul encouraged the believers to be faithful to the Lord.

4:1 is a summary of what Paul talked about in 3:12–21.

4:1a

Therefore: This connecting word indicates that what Paul had been saying in chapter 3, especially in the latter part, was the reason why he then said what he did in 4:1.

my brothers: The term brothers here refers to other Christians, fellow believers, not to literal brothers. You might translate this as “brothers and sisters,” “older and younger siblings” or “relatives.” The term brothers also occurs in 1:12, 3:1, 3:13, 3:17, 4:8. See the note on 1:12a.

whom I love and long for: Once again Paul told the Philippians how much he loved them. The phrase long for means to wish strongly to see someone because you love him very much. See note on “I long for all of you” in 1:8, where the same Greek word is used.

4:1b

my joy: When Paul called the Philippians his joy in this verse, he meant that they caused Paul to be happy. Some possible ways to translate this are:

you give me joy
-or-
you make me happy

and crown: When Paul called the Philippians his crown, he meant they were his reward for the work he had done. The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as crown refers to the ring of leaves that was placed on the head of someone who had just won a race or competition. It was his reward/prize for winning. Therefore, it is possible that Paul was thinking of the reward that he would get in heaven because of how he had discipled the Philippians. They were like his reward because they had believed in Christ and were following him. Here is an idea for translating the word crown :

you are the reward for my work

Paul also used the ideas of “joy” and crown together in 1 Thessalonians 2:19.

4:1c

that is how: The Greek word houtōs that the Berean Standard Bible translates as that is how can also be translated as “in this way” or “so.” Paul encouraged the Philippians to stand firm in the way he had just been describing in the previous verses.

stand firm in the Lord: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as stand firm is also used in 1:27c–d. It literally just means “stand,” but Paul used it figuratively to mean “be steadfast.” Paul wanted the Philippians to be strong in their faith no matter what happened to them. A possible rendering for the phrase stand firm in the Lord in this context is:

remain loyal to the Lord

my beloved: The Berean Standard Bible translates this phrase from the same Greek word from which it translates the phrase “whom I love” in 4:1a. Think about whether it is better in your language to repeat the same idea or to use a different expression here in your translation. See also the note on “my beloved” in 2:12a.

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