Philippians 4:1

 Philippians 4:1

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

a. NLT: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.  [Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.]

b. ASV: Wherefore, my brethren beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my beloved.  [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. YLT: So then, my brethren, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand ye in the Lord, beloved.  [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.] 

d. Classic Amplified: Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and yearn to see, my delight and crown (wreath of victory), thus stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

e. Peshitta Eastern Text:  Henceforth, my dearly beloved brethren, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in our lord, my beloved.  [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT.Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1961 by A.J. Holmon Co.; Copyright  Ⓒ 1939 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1967  by A.J. Holmon Co.;  Copyright  Ⓒ 1940 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; Copyright  Ⓒ 1957 by A.J. Holmon Co. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

f. NIV: Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! [THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.]

1. “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown…”

a. Therefore [Strong: 5620. hoste hoce'-teh from 5613 and 5037; so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow):--(insomuch) as, so that (then), (insomuch) that, therefore, to, wherefore.]

b. my [Strong: 3450. mou moo the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.]

c. brethren [Strong: 80. adephos ad-el-fos' from 1 (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like 1):--brother.]

d. dearly beloved [Strong: 27. agapetos ag-ap-ay-tos' from 25; beloved:--(dearly, well) beloved, dear.]

e. and [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. longed for [Strong: 1973. epipothetos ep-ee-poth'-ay-tos from 1909 and a derivative of the latter part of 1971; yearned upon, i.e. greatly loved:--longed foreign]

g. my [Strong: 3450. mou moo the simpler form of 1700; of me:--I, me, mine (own), my.]

h. joy [Strong: 5479. chara khar-ah' from 5463; cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight:--gladness, X greatly, (X be exceeding) joy(-ful, -fully, -fulness, -ous).

i. and [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

j. crown [Strong: 4735. stephanos stef'-an-os from an apparently primary stepho (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, 1238), literally or figuratively:--crown.

2. “...so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”

a. so [Strong: 3779. houto hoo'-to, or (before a vowel houtos hoo'-toce adverb from 3778; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.]

b. stand fast [Strong: 4739. steko stay'-ko from the perfect tense of 2476; to be stationary, i.e. (figuratively) to persevere:--stand (fast).]

c. in [Strong: 1722. en en a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

d. [he] Lord [Strong: 2962. kurios koo'-ree-os from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- God, Lord, master, Sir.]

e. [my] dearly beloved [Strong: 27. agapetos ag-ap-ay-tos' from 25; beloved:--(dearly, well) beloved, dear.]

1). Institute of Creation Research Days of Praise: 1/21/11 Several adjectives precede the command contained in this text. Not only does Paul twice use "dearly beloved" to describe his relationship with the Philippians, but he also insists that he longs for them and anticipates joy at the recognition of the "crown" he will receive in heaven. These are intense words. Agapetos is the descriptive Greek term translated "dearly beloved." The Heavenly Father uses agapetos to express His love for His "beloved Son" (Matthew 3:17). Most of the New Testament letters freely use agapetos to describe various personal relationships with their brothers and sisters in Christ. That unique and deeply spiritual love is what demonstrates our difference to the unsaved (John 13:34-35).  Since Paul is separated from the Philippian church (probably writing the letter from Rome), his love for them caused him to "long after [them] all in the bowels of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:8). That passionate ache is mitigated by the joy coming from the certain knowledge that his work will result in a "victor's crown" (Greek stephanos, today's verse) when God rewards our service. "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?" (1 Thessalonians 2:19). So, "stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27). "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13). Stand fast in the liberty that salvation provides. Don't become tangled up in the bondage of legalistic burdens (Galatians 5:1). "For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 3:8). HMM III