Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. Philippians 4:1

If Paul was present with his beloved Philippians, like in the locker room before the big game, the motivational speech would not differ much from a head coach.

Hey, I love you guys! You’re my family. We win or lose together. Do the things we practiced. Focus on the fundamentals. Play smart. Execute. Have each other’s backs. Leave it all on the field. Play with your hearts and your heads. Listen to your coaches. Do what they told you. Remember who you are and who you represent. Etc. Coaches speak in run-on cliches, but you get the idea.

Paul’s spent three chapters explaining the grand doctrines of sanctification and glorification. Now it’s time to get practical. He starts with an admonition: stand firm. It’s the key to everything. Paul said it also to the Ephesians, which was particularly important against the schemes of the devil.

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13

In the end, each individual’s victories of faith would contribute another laurel to Paul’s crown. That’s why coaches deflect all the glory to the team in victory, and say yet again, I love these guys!