Let the peace of the gospel be evident in your lives
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Their hopes for the return of the Lord and the glory of the world to come do not make Christians indifferent to this life and its problems and duties. Rather, they help believers to see life in a clearer perspective. The light of Christ’s coming falls on the present world and fills it, despite all its dangers and difficulties, with joy and peace. Paul wanted the Philippians—and he wants us—to experience that joy and peace in the various situations of life.
The apostle’s first admonition in this last short series of encouragements will surely bring a knowing smile (or, more likely, a sigh) to pastors in just about every congregation. Here on earth, and also in the visible Christian church, we are all sinners living and working with sinners, and sooner or later sin is going to affect our interpersonal relationships. In the carrying out of the congregation’s activities, or in the course of activity in its organizations, sinful human beings with strong opinions and forceful personalities are inevitably going to clash. Something very minor might be the trigger. Sharp words are spoken. Feelings are hurt. Grudges are held. The result is lingering bitterness or even factions that can truly disturb a congregation and hinder its witness and its work.
We are not given the details, but something quite similar to what was just described above had taken place in Philippi. Two prominent women in the congregation, Euodia and Syntyche, had become involved in a dispute. We know nothing more about either of these women. Evidently they had served harmoniously and enthusiastically as coworkers of Paul, helping to aid the gospel ministry. Apparently they had both continued to be active in the congregation after Paul had left Philippi. Both were energetic and talented. Both had been a rich source of blessing to the congregation. Now, however, some disagreement had arisen between them, and where there had been harmony before, there was now strife. The exact effect of the dispute on the congregation and its work is not stated, but we can be sure that it was not positive.
Paul handles this delicate situation with a marvelous combination of tact and Christian love. He does not question the motives of either of the women or their commitment to the Lord. He does not open old wounds by going into a lengthy rehashing of the problem. He does not scold or place blame. He is not negative at all. He simply pleads with the women to agree with each other “in the Lord,” whom they were both eager to serve. Note the evenhandedness displayed in Paul’s words of encouragement. He repeats the phrase “I plead,” first using the name of one, then the name of the other woman as the object. He encourages each one to reflect on the blessings she had received from the Lord and to realize that this disagreement was not furthering Christ’s cause in Philippi. He expresses the hope that mature Christian reflection upon this matter will lead them both to expend their talents and energies in unity and for the Lord rather Lord, rather than in competition and disagreement.
Throughout this epistle Paul has emphasized the importance of unity and harmony among believers. Remembering the importance of that unity would help Euodia and Syntyche to settle their dispute. And is it not true that the disputes over external things that often arise in our congregations today would also be settled more easily if we always remembered that, as believers, we are united in a blessed partnership in the gospel of Christ? We are working for a common task, which would be hindered by our petty and sinful squabbles. Let’s not forget either that we are destined to spend eternity together.
In addition to making his personal pleas to each of the women, Paul asks the aid of another of the congregation’s members in mediating the dispute. There is some question about whether the Greek word syzygus, which means “yokefellow,” is a proper noun or a common noun here. This author is inclined to believe that Paul here is addressing a man named Syzygus and is asking him to be true to his name by helping to bring about a reconciliation between the two women.
Whether his proper name was Syzygus or not, this “yokefellow” was obviously a respected leader in the congregation. Paul knew he possessed the tact and love required for this important task. The apostle was anxious to see peace restored between Euodia and Syntyche. Every time he thought of them, he remembered the extraordinary efforts both had put forth for the sake of the gospel, together with him, Clement, and others at Philippi. It did not seem right to have these two fine Christian women at odds with each other. He was hopeful that with the right kind of assistance and encouragement, the problem would soon be solved.