Stand firm, agree, and the true yokefellow (4:1–3)

Says Philippians 4:1 commands στήκετε (stēkete, "stand firm") ἐν κυρίῳ (en kyriō, "in the Lord"). στήκω is glossed "to stand firm, stand fast." The verse calls them "my joy and crown" (BSB). Philippians 4:2 urges Euodia and Syntyche τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν (to auto phronein, "to think the same thing") in the Lord. Philippians 4:3 asks a γνήσιε σύζυγε (gnēsie syzyge) to help women who συνήθλησαν (synēthlēsan, "contended together") for the gospel, with Clement and the other coworkers, "whose names are in the Book of Life" (BSB). σύζυγος is "a yoke fellow"; γνήσιος, "true, genuine, sincere"; βίβλος, "a book, a roll."

Implies οὕτως (houtōs, "in this way") points back to the heavenly citizenship and awaited Savior in Philippians 3:20–21. The book of life names the register of those who belong to God and share eschatological life. See note.language.Phil.4.3.book-of-life.heb.

Uncertain στέφανος (stephanos, "crown") may be eschatological reward, present joy, or both. "My joy and crown" supports a present sense; reward imagery supports a future sense. A lean is taken toward both. His identity remains open: (1) a proper name, Syzygus, with γνήσιε as wordplay (Abbott-Smith: probable); (2) a title, "true yokefellow," for an unnamed coworker, using the noun's ordinary sense; (3) a less common metaphorical address. No lean is taken here. Clement's identity beyond the name is likewise open, and equating him with the author of 1 Clement is not established from this verse. No lean is taken here. Editorial decision: print γνήσιε σύζυγε; RP and TR have σύζυγε γνήσιε (var.Phil.4.3.gnesie-syzyge).