Euodia and Syntyche

This week we've studied Euodia and Syntyche, two ladies of the church in Philippi, who were named in Paul's letter. It seems that contention had risen between the two women, and it was of concern to Paul. He knew just how much the conflict could have (and perhaps already had) harmed the church if allowed to fester and grow. Contention between two people can spread to the other members, and cause a lack of unity in the whole congregation.
Paul described them as "women who contended" at his side in the cause of the gospel. They were (in the past) devoted and hard working servants of the church.
As in most disagreements, it was going to require both of the women to change. In fact, Paul tells them that the solution to the problem is to "agree with each other," not just with lip service, but with sincerity -- "in the Lord" -- not to solve their disagreement in their own way, but in and through Christ Jesus.
Paul also recruits the help of others to reach out to Euodia and Syntyche and help them to reconcile.
If you knew two Christian friends who were in this situation, could you do it? How would you advise them? Encourage them?
Paul says:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4)

First, Paul focuses on Christ's example of an attitude that can lead to reconciliation. He reminds the believers that they are united with Christ and therefore should share His motives. In verses five through eleven of that chapter, Paul reminds them of the sacrificial love of God -- the Creator Who became flesh, became a mere mortal man, instead of using the advantages of Who He really was. He gladly became a servant, and then humbled Himself to be hung on a cross, dying for our sins. And that now He is risen and exalted. He points Euodia and Syntyche to the example of Christ.

Secondly, Paul focuses on the "comfort from His love." The scholars tell us that "comfort" can be translated "incentive." It doesn't carry the thought of being forced, but of tenderness. God tenderly provides us with incentive to pass along the love that He shows to us. As Christians love each other, divisions will fade and unity can blossom.

Next, Paul speaks of "fellowship with the Spirit." We have the Holy Spirit's presence with us and in us each and every day. This allows us to live in unity with one another. It helps with peace between believers:

 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:3-6)

We are a diverse group, God's family. We come from varied backgrounds, educations, races, and economic situations. Such a group of totally different people can have unity, because the Holy Spirit is the adhesive that holds us together!

Lastly, Paul reminds all of the tenderness and compassion that we have received from God; and he tells all of us that we should be inspired by those gifts to treat others in the same way. When believers are tenderhearted toward each other, unity is not far behind. The rivalries and the selfishness that is embedded in our human side can separate us -- let us remember that we are members of one body, and labor for the welfare of all.

Unity in the church family is so vital to the work that God has called us to do! That is why in chapter one, Paul said:

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel  (Philippians 1:27)

Paul mentions Euodia's and Syntyche's past work, but he warns them of the danger of hindering the work of God. It takes hard work to avoid this dangerous situation -- it takes "standing firm" and "striving...as one."

Do you wonder sometimes how stories end? This is one that had me thinking. I wondered if they resolved their disagreement? Did they see unity and God's work as more important than who started their squabble? Did they swallow their pride and "make up"? Or did they get in a huff and act even worse than they did before? Did they follow Christ's example of selflessness?

The Bible doesn't speak to that. It doesn't tell us. But one of the commentaries that I read mentioned some historical evidence that might give us clues. Early in the second century, the church in Philippi wrote a letter to the church leader in what is now Turkey. His name was Polycarp, and we don't have their letter, asking about a minister who'd been arrested and taken to Rome. But we do have his answer!
Polycarp commended the congregation in Philippi, saying:

             " (You) have followed the example of true love and have helped on their way,
              as opportunity offered, those who were bound in chains.....I rejoice also that
              your firmly rooted faith, renowned since early days, endures to the present
              and produces fruit for our Lord Jesus Christ."  (Polycarp)

I don't think these words could have been written about a church torn by contention and warring personalities. I think this is a church that had developed godly unity!

I wonder what will be written about us, or our church families, years from now? Will we have set an example of unity? Or will we be held up as examples of what NOT to do?

Euodia and Syntyche - how embarrassing!

We're studying these two ladies from the fourth chapter of Philippians this week, and I'm indebted to this person who put this cartoon out on the interwebs . . . it makes me think of the consternation that must have been on the faces of Euodia and Syntyche when Paul's letter was read in the church!

I sure wouldn't have wanted to be one of them . . .
All of those verses leading up to this in chapter four -- Paul was making his case all along, wasn't he? In most of his epistles, Paul, like His Lord before him, spoke a lot about unity. When he wrote to the folks in Rome, he said:

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5)

When he wrote a letter to the church in Ephesus:

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; (Ephesians 4:3-4)

So, when he wrote to the congregation in Philippi:

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.  (Philippians 2:1-2)

After laying the groundwork, he names the names of the women and also asks for the current leader of the church to "help these women." Not to ignore the problem. Not to go behind their backs and talk about them. Not to ask someone else to intercede. Paul, who was steeped in the Jewish writings from a young age, must surely have been thinking of this verse:

I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak....... I will shepherd the flock with justice. (Ezekiel 34:16)

Why? Because they had labored with him to promote and spread the gospel. Their names were in the Book of Life, and they needed to return to the unity that they once enjoyed as servants of Christ. The folks we think of as "difficult" might just be placed in our lives for a purpose that only He knows. Perhaps to teach us patience, tact, or some other skill that is lacking in our lives. (Grin)
There is no "chance" in God's plans, nor in His providence. Folks like these who are in conflict, or who cause conflict, must be handled with just the right words, and they must be handled with just the right timing, too!

Just the right words.
Hmmmmm....... Paul did indeed choose his words carefully, don't you think?
What if he had addressed these ladies like he did the church in Galatia?

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel...... you foolish Galatians!.... (Galatians 1:6, 3:1, NIV)

What if he had addressed them like our Lord, accused of healing a man by the power of Satan?

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. (Matthew 12:34, KJV)

If he'd been writing today, Paul might have said, "OK, Euodia and Syntyche, let's get this one thing straight. Y'all need to stop this bickering -- it doesn't accomplish a thing! Do we understand each other?" (Yeah, I know, I made Paul a Southerner.)
There are a wide variety of ways that Paul could have addressed this, but we noticed earlier that he first laid a groundwork for his words to them. He reminded all who would read the letter about the principles of obedience, servant-hood, humility, and unity.

And then the timing . . . Why did he wait until so late in  his letter to "call them out"? Perhaps he was well aware of how embarrassing it would be to the ladies. They would have no room to wriggle out of it. No way to retreat, nor to blame anyone else. I don't think any church leader enjoys having to single out a member of the group for exhortation. Public reprimands are a thing of the past in some congregations, and it's not because they're all saints, either! It's a difficult thing to do! In fact, Paul almost seems ready to close this letter earlier -- he starts the third chapter (our designation, not his) with the words, "Finally, my brethren...." and then goes on to say much more. It seems like he finally decides to name them, though.
Perhaps he is trying to remind the church leaders (by naming the ladies) that public sins, that harm the testimony of the congregation, are not the same as private matters that our Lord gave instructions for:

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ (Matthew 18:15-16)

Instead, he is reminding them of the very next principle that Jesus spoke:

 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:17)

The strife and conflict between these two would harm the testimony of the church. It would call attention to distinct personalities and people would be taking sides. Unbelievers looking on wouldn't see unity and love -- just the opposite! All of this would be in stark contrast to the way that Paul hoped the people would behave:

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:9-18)

How embarrassing to be named in Paul's letter -- and told to do better! But I kinda think maybe that was just what was needed . . . .
Join us tomorrow as we conclude our study and we'll see.

Euodia and Syntyche - oh, how embarrassing!

You've seen it.
I know you have.
You've maybe "been there."
Even in the community of faith, in a group of believers, inside the fellowship of a church, it can happen.
Yup.

Two people who have worked side by side, and shared ups and downs, can have what my grandma used to call "a falling out." They've labored together, laughed together, cried together, and seen God's blessings together.
But something happens.
Maybe it's a disagreement over something small. Maybe it's a small sliver of jealousy that grows larger with time. It's usually not something major.
But it gets that way.

Then you have the sharp glances. The whispers. The lack of cooperation. The open dissension. The attitudes that have no place in the church, and hurt the testimonies of the people involved, and the church itself, as outsiders look on.
Because it can affect not only the people involved, but the entire congregation.

The two ladies that I'm talking about lived over two thousand years ago. People are still talking about them (and learning from them, I hope) today. We meet them in the final chapter of Philippians:

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. (Philippians 4:2-3)

Let's go back and lay the groundwork for this letter, and for Paul's plea to these ladies to "make up." Do you recall when we studied Lydia? She was a "seller of purple," a wealthy lady who was the foundation of the church in Philippi. This is the church that began as a prayer meeting by the river, and grew into a thriving, passionate church.
Paul was writing to the church here primarily to thank the congregation for a recent gift.

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:10,15-18)

One of the folks from that congregation, Epaphroditus, had gone to visit Paul (to deliver their gift to him). He had become very ill, but was now recovered sufficiently to travel home, so Paul penned his letter to the church and asked Epaphroditus to carry it with him.

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. (Philippians 2:25-30)

In his letter to Philippi, Paul stressed unity, self-sacrifice, respect, humility, and more. Here's an example from chapter two:

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:2-4)

Then, finally, in the fourth chapter, he "names names." Ouch. That packs a punch, doesn't it?  He was concerned enough about the contention between these two women, that Paul addressed it in a letter that he knew would be read aloud to the church!

Think he was too harsh?
Think he did just right?
We'll learn more as we study this week! Hope you will join us!