Philippians 4:2-3
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Tag: Unity is important to the cross of Christ!!
Earlier in this little letter Paul stated the following:
Philippians 2:2
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Those words were written by Paul in the “doctrinal” portion of the letter. In these “epistles” of Paul his style was simple. The first half of the book would be doctrinal in nature and the second half of the book would be practical in nature. Philippians is no exception. Paul has told them that their joy comes from being “in Christ” and that joy is completed as they demonstrate the unity Christ prayed for before His death, burial and resurrection:
John 17:23
I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Our “oneness” in Christ and with each other is to be demonstrated in how we treat each other. These two sisters “in Christ” (Euodia and Syntyche) were not “in agreement.” They were not “one” with Christ. Their walk was not matching their talk. We have no idea were that came from but God is using the Apostle to correct their behavior. There are three areas he uses to “motivate” them to come to agreement:
1). Paul instructions both of these sisters in Christ (“urges” them) to “live in harmony.” This is not an option for them to consider. Paul is the Apostle and he has called them out in front of the entire church. Paul does not want them to bring shame on Christ or the body. This is not right in the Body of Christ. He is speaking with a sense of urgency and authority. Perhaps this is a key to the local church community; authority with urgency over hypocrisy.
2). Paul stresses that someone must “help” them come to agreement. We are not sure who this is, but we know the individual’s mission. They are to “help” these two to see their error. The word “help” is:
συλλαμβάνω syllambanō; to clasp, i.e. seize (arrest, capture); specially, to conceive (literally or figuratively); by implication, to aid: — catch, conceive, help, take.
This word is used in a variety of ways in the N.T. Only here by Paul. It carries the message of someone bringing them together. This help is to seize them and bring them into agreement ... in the Lord. It would be fair to believe that they both will lose something of their own agendas.
3). Paul reminds both he individual who is to help, the two ladies and the entire church that these two were and are part of the body. These two, as well as others, have come along side and done great work in the Body of Christ. Their names are written in the Book of Life. Paul is demonstrating that they are NOT, as a result of their behavior in jeopardy of losing their salvation. But, they are to come together for the sake of the Gospel and that is to restore them to the work they have done in the past.
When we have division in the body, we see the natural instincts of our human nature. But, we have a new nature that should bring us together and help us come together as believers of Christ.
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