Euodia and Syntyche are two women who appear to have had a problem agreeing on something. For some reason, they seemed to have been at cross purposes. Paul includes them in his book to the Philippians. Philippians 4:2-3 says,  “I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 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.” This is the only place they are mentioned so we know little about them.

As women, we probably know two women in our own church who do not agree about something. We might have different opinions on how to arrange the food on the  potluck table. We might disagree on the floral arrangements. Maybe we disagree about how to discipline our children. The list could go on and on. It’s impossible to be around others and not have a conflict at some point. However, some of us women are not very good at resolving that conflict. Many people just leave a church when conflict arises instead of trying to solve it or work through it. 

Today we read about two women who were involved in some sort of conflict that was impacting the church. The ESV translation uses the word “entreat”. The Greek word  means “to implore,” or “to appeal.” Whatever caused the conflict, Paul felt the need to address it. The issue is unclear, however it was causing division in the church. Paul knew about it while he was in prison. 

We know that these ladies were well known in the Philippian church. Apparently they were each leading a group, but they were going in different directions. Maybe one wanted to use real mayonnaise and the other wanted to use Miracle Whip. They could have had a more complex conflict, but it isn’t explained. 

Because Paul is discussing it, we can assume it was negatively impacting the church. Spiritual unity was in jeopardy and the ladies needed help. Paul states in Philippians 1:27 that we are to stand firm in one spirit.  [Phl 1:27 ESV] “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,”. We don’t realize how important it is for our churches to be unified. God is not glorified when we bicker with each other. 

Www.Gotquestions.org puts it like this, “Their example shows that even those who have worked together for the cause of Christ can have disagreements. It also shows the importance of treating one another with love, compassion, and longsuffering (Ephesians 4:31; John 13:34–35). A church warring with itself is in danger of losing its testimony to outsiders. Euodia and Syntyche needed to be “of the same mind in the Lord,” and the other church members were to do all that was necessary to heal the breach. They were all fellow-laborers in the Lord’s work, and their names were all part of the book of life.”

It also says, “Because the church is made up of sinners (albeit forgiven ones), there will be times when division occurs. In these cases, Scripture gives instructions on how to work toward peace. Some of those instructions are found in the very epistle sent to Euodia and Syntyche’s church: “Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:2–4). Never does God’s Word allow for gossip, arguing, and fighting over personal matters in the church. Instead, believers are to encourage one another as we prepare for Christ’s return (Hebrews 10:25).”

Paul was not suggesting the need for church discipline. The ladies had worked with Paul and other believers. He stressed that their names were written in the book of life.  He was pleading with the church leaders to help them. They needed to settle their differences for the sake of the body. We all need help from time to time.