Euodia and Syntyche: Strife in the Body

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Philippians 4:2-3:  “I beg Euodia and Syntyche that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I also beg you, true yoke-fellow, help those women who labored in the gospel with me and with Clement, and others of my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”

While we do not know what Euodia and Syntyche disagreed about, we do know that Paul felt it needed to be addressed.  Being of one mind in the Lord does not mean that we will agree on all the details of life.  It also does not mean that we must browbeat others in the submission.  Being of one mind in the Lord means that we will humble ourselves and be willing to consider other opinions and options.  Paul covered the subject well earlier in Philippians.

Philippians 2:1-7: “ If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tendernesses and mercies, then fulfill my joy, that you may be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others. For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”

Isaiah shows us how to be of one mind. Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he trusts in You.” 

Helen Howarth Lemmel wrote:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace”

Notice how Paul intervenes in the dispute between Euodia and Syntyche. 

Paul addresses the ladies by name and shows respect for them.  He calls them co-laborers in the ministry and notes that both their names are written in the book of life.  He then asks a “true yoke- fellow” to help resolve the situation.  The church is a body.  When one part hurts, the whole body hurts.  We need community.  We need peacemakers.

Mathew 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers! For they shall be called the sons of God.