The Christian's Joy and Crown

The Christian’s Joy and Crown: A Study of Philippians 4 Philippians 4:1: Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. The first word in Philippians 4 indicates that something has gone before. “Therefore” is a conjunction, and in order to understand what “therefore” concludes, we must turn back two verses. Philippians 3:20, 21: For our conversation [ politeuma, citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. As Christians, our citizenship is in heaven and we can look forward to Christ’s return when our bodies will be like His resurrected body and when Christ will subdue all things— therefore , because of this knowledge, we, “dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” Men and women should want to stand fast in the Lord because of what Christ has done for them and because He is coming back. According to the first verse of Philippians 4, who are the joy and crown of the Apostle Paul? The ones to whom he taught the Word of God. To those saved under his ministry Paul said, “You are my joy and crown; you stand fast.” Twice he refers to those whom he has taught as “dearly beloved.” Clearly, Paul has a strong attachment to these people. In I Thessalonians Paul again points out that his brothers in Christ—those who had become brothers because of his ministry—were his joy and crown. I Thessalonians 2:19, 20: For wha t is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. With the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, those whom Paul had taught, those who were his hope, joy and crown, will appear before the Father, “. . .even ye in the presence of our Lord Je