Philippians 4:2–3, Part 1: How Pervasive Is Paul’s Concern with Conflict in the Church? Van Hengel needlessly supposes that they had laboured with the apostle at Rome, and were now about to proceed to Philippi with Epaphroditus-this counsel to them being, that in all things they did for the gospel they should act in concert. says: “In such a pure church, even slight bickerings would make a great impression.” Paul begs each of them individually, wanting to treat each one exactly the same. His appeal to them is gently, but firmly, put, as became a friend. The counsel given to all in. These were prominent women in the Church, possibly deaconesses. ‘I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord.’. The Inscr. The name occurs both in Greek and Latin Inscrr[16]., as well as in the Acta Sanctorum (v., 225). Paul names the specific individuals. . The Athenian law prescribed that everything that a man might do by the consent or request of a woman should be null in law. The repetition of the verb is very emphatic, and probably is meant to indicate that the exhortations could not be given at the same time. 2. "For the Pauline letters, this is a remarkable moment indeed, since Paul does here what he seldom does elsewhere in "conflict" settings-he names names." quoted by Lft[17]. Working hard for God does not excuse a bad attitude toward our brethren. However, little is known about most of them. Notice that they are two sincere Christian ladies, they labored with Paul for the gospel. I beg of. This direct reference to a difference of opinion between two women of prominence in the Philippian Church is probably the best comment we have on the slight dissensions which are here and there hinted at throughout the Epistle. Other less acceptable identifications are that they were two men (Theodore of Mopsuestia) or that they were symbols of Jewish and Gentile Christians (the Tbingen school). Euodias is incorrect, the name being feminine, Euodia. Commentary on Philippians 4:2-9 (Read Philippians 4:2-9) Let believers be of one mind, and ready to help each other. Philippians 4:2-5 Euodia and Syntyche. Some critics are of opinion that Syntyche was a man. in the Lord—the true element of Christian union; for those "in the Lord" by faith to be at variance, is an utter inconsistency. The feminine name is also found in Inscrr[15].— . Luke described the city called Philippi as a *Roman ‘*colony’(Acts 16:12). 4:2-9 Let believers be of one mind, and ready to help each other. The same expression as in Philippians 2:2, see note. For every combination will inevitably be accursed, if apart from the Lord, and, on the other hand, nothing is so disjoined, but that it ought to be reunited in Christ. John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament, Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary, Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament, Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible, Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture, Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament, John Eadie's Commentary on Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians, Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers, Text and Manuscripts of the New Testament. I beseech Euodias and I beseech Syntyche that they be of the same mind in the Lord . Philippians 4:2, CSB: "I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord." Euodias. Their loyalty to each other depends entirely on their loyalty to Him” (p. 71). Philippians 4:1-7: The Peace of God – a Life Commentary discusses how to find the Peace of God from Philippians 4:1-7. Philippians 4:2. . It may have turned on the question discussed in chap. Then they will be united in humility and love. Philippians 2:3(NASB) Verse Thoughts. In chapter 3, Paul spoke primarily about his own situation. Biogr. He gives with his exhortation both the reason for following it, and the means whereby it may be fully followed. “To be of the same mind”: Compare with 2:2. That they be of the same mind in the Lord; I beseech Enodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers. Paul is particularly concerned with an … It may have been accidental friction between two energetic Christian women. 4:2–9). What it was all about, we have no way of knowing. "For the Pauline letters, this is a remarkable moment indeed, since Paul does here what he seldom does elsewhere in "conflict" settings-he names names.". From the whole tone of this Letter, it cannot have gotten seriously out of hand as yet. In chapter 4, … The phrase means “Live in harmony as fellow-Christians” (TCNT), “To agree in the Lord” (Mof), “To make up your differences as Christians should” (Phi), “Be in agreement, live in harmony as sisters in Christ” (Jackson p. 77), “Is to live harmoniously together a way of life that is fit and proper for all who claim to have placed themselves under the Lordship of Christ” (Hawthorne p. 178). Not allowing the Judaizers, perfectionists or … We may note the many female names—Phœbe, Priscilla, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Julia, the mother of Rufus, the sister of Nereus—in the long list of greetings to the Church of Rome (Romans 16). In Macedonia monuments were erected to women by public bodies, and in Macedonian inscriptions records of male proper names are found formed on the mother's name instead of the father's. Compare Romans 12:16. Every man and woman born of the Spirit is being conformed into the image of the lovely Lord Jesus. Paul's advice is to focus on our ability to rejoice in our fellowship with Christ. is spurious). There should be no conflict in the body of Christ. A diagram/chart is provided that gives detail of the first five steps to find God's peace. Repetition in Philippians. Summary. [Note: Fee, Paul"s Letter . 2. Other less acceptable identifications are that they were two men (Theodore of Mopsuestia) or that they were symbols of Jewish and Gentile Christians (the Tbingen school). In the Lord - the element of Christian union: for those "in the Lord" to be at variance is an utter inconsistency. These two Philippian women had a difference of opinion, and we see in them the slight dissension which Paul hints at in places. There are certain threats that are common to all Christian churches that are identified at Philippi. Philippians 4:2–9 is Paul's appeal to the Philippian Christians regarding how they handle disagreements within the church. [Note: See A. Boyd Luter, "Partnership in the Gospel: The Role of Women in the Church at Philippi," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society39:3 (September1996):411-20.]. Rec., with the long o, the name means fragrance; but the correct reading is with the short o, the meaning being prosperous journey. Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity. What it was all about, we have no way of knowing. It confirms Him as the One to Whom every knee will bow, and of Whom every tongue will confess that He is the LORD YHWH (Philippians 2:10-11). In the Lord - In their Christian walk and plans. If then, remembering this, they seek to their Master for aid, the unity of spirit will be bestowed. . The names Euodia and Syntyche are recognisable Greek names, but we know nothing about these two women except for the fact that they had laboured with Paul in the Gospel (Philippians 4:3), how we are not told. Paul is nearing the end of his letter and is tying up loose ends. (Philippians 4:2-3) In verse 2 we find that two women of the church are singled out for a special word of admonition: they were at odds with one another and it was having a detrimental affect upon the local congregation. Not being on right terms with our brethren can threaten our salvation (1 John 3:15). not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. It does not seem to have been any difference in creed or practice, and wholly groundless is the hypothesis of Baur and Schwegler, that the names represent two parties in the church at Philippi-Euodia the Jewish, and Syntyche the heathen party. I exhort Euodia. In the account of Paul's labors in Macedonia there are notices of the addition of women of rank to the church in Thessalonica and Beroea. It is the New Testament (and Greek Old Testament) equivalent of YHWH. It is, I think, the latter. Paul is particularly concerned with an argument between two women, Euodia and Syntyche. As previously mentioned both of these Christians were women, and they were very hard workers for the cause of Christ (), therefore how much more needful it was that they get along. Many strange attempts have been made to find symbolism in these names. Lydia was the first convert, and her house became a meeting place (Acts ch 16).These two Philippian women had a difference of opinion, and we see in them the slight dissension which Paul hints at in places. The language is such as would properly relate to any difference. Use this table to get a word-for-word translation of the original Greek Scripture. Syntyche means happy chance. Sadly, however, these two appear to have been causing a certain amount of friction (although not serious division), and so Paul calls on them to share the mind of the Lord, as in Philippians 2:5. . ., p392.]. Answer: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). To be of the same mind (τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν). Philippians 3:15-16. Not a few suppose them to have been deaconesses- πρεσβύτιδες. The verb φρονέω to be minded, occurs eleven times in this epistle, and but seventeen times in the rest of the New Testament. St. John Chrysostom, Theodoret, and many others, think that these were two ladies particularly famous in the Church at Philippi, for their virtue and good works. 4703, from Narbo in Gaul. . Lft[19]. Thus Paul was thoroughly Jewish and a “citizen of no mean (i.e., important) city” as he refers to it (Acts 21:39), possessing on top of that Roman citizenship (Acts 22:25). Paul exhorted both Christians. VI. The apostle calls on these sisters by the authority of his office. [Note: See A. Boyd Luter, "Partnership in the Gospel: The Role of Women in the Church at Philippi," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society39:3 (September1996):411-20. Philippians 2:4. —Euodia and Syntyche were two women of prominence in the Church, who unhappily had fallen into dissensions. They were doubtless professing Christians, and the apostle exhorts them to make the Lord the great object of their affections, and in their regard for him, to bury all their petty differences and animosities. [1] In his letter to the Philippians, Paul mentions two women ministers, Euodia and Syntyche,[2] and in just a couple of verses he gives us a glimpse into the value and significance of their ministries (Phil. Philippians 4:2-3 may seem like a random shout-out to random people. of Larissa, where a woman’s name occurs among the winners in the horse-races (see Introduction). Pronounced “you OH dih uh”, and meaning “good journey”. From the whole tone of this Letter, it cannot have gotten seriously out of hand as yet. For the prominence of women generally in the Pauline Churches, Cf. The verb implies something stronger than the ‘beseech’ of the Authorised Version. Lydia was the first convert, and her house became a meeting place (. We must take notice, however, that, whenever he speaks of agreement, he adds also the bond of it—in the Lord. Macedonian women were given an unusual amount of freedom. "Keep on rejoicing" (Jackson p. 79). Differences among Christians, especially in religious matters, are a great hinderance to the gospel, and should as soon as practicable be healed. His words should not be divorced from the context. Possibly it was by using their influence to bring others to hear him when he was at Philippi, and by urging them to respond; possibly it was by helping to finance his work; or possibly it was by using their influence with the authorities. that they be of the same mind in the Lord. While I am not inclined to contend as to this, the words of Paul do not afford ground enough for such a conjecture to satisfy us that it really was so. Six Christian bishops named are mentioned in the Dict. This shows the English words related to the source biblical texts along with brief definitions. It was to the women especially that the first preaching at the proseucha in Philippi was addressed (Acts 16:13-14), and a woman is the first Christian convert mentioned there, the first-fruits of apostolic labour in Europe. Although our instinctive reflex is to suppress and deny conflict, Paul lovingly brings it into the open where it can be resolved. Lit, mind (Greek. , is specifically repeated to them both, showing that they were both in fault, and must each seek a better and a Christian spirit. Were Euodia and Syntyche squabbling? Philippians 1:6(NASB) Verse Thoughts. CONCLUDING EXHORTATIONS, Philippians 4:2-9. Evidently they were women of note, leaders at Philippi, where, we may remember, the gospel was first preached to women (Acts 16:13), and the church first formed in a woman’s house (Acts 16:14; Acts 16:40). 4:4-7. 4:2-3). The Lord is at hand. Unanimity in the church is not always possible, but unity is. That they be of the same mind - That they be united, or reconciled. The *emperor Augustus allowed retired soldiers to live thereafter they had supported him in a battle in 31 *BC. The counsel given to all in Philippians 2:2, is specifically repeated to them both, showing that they were both in fault, and must each seek a better and a Christian spirit. There are to be no one-sided relationships in Christianity (Romans 12:18). Though he left Tarsu… εὐοδίαν παρακαλῶ, καὶ συντύχην παρακαλῶ, τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν ἐν κυρίῳ—“Euodia I exhort and Syntyche I exhort to be of one mind in the Lord.” That these are the Greek names of women is plain from the feminine pronouns of the following verse, to which they are the antecedents. Philippians 4:2–9 is Paul's appeal to the Philippian Christians regarding how they handle disagreements within the church. Be sought on the correct accentuation see the elaborate note in W-Sch [ 18 ]., p. 71 appeal. A friend assume that because Paul asked the two women to agree they must have been.... 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