April 26, 2025 -- Philippians 4:2-3 -- Agree in the Lord

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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.
Philippians 4:2-3 ESV
 
When you work on memorizing, then there will word-echoes that happen in your brain. Because you’re training your brain to memorize, words you’ve learned in other books of the bible, or phrases that are repeated from earlier passages in the same book or letter, will cause you to pause and say, I’ve heard that before. It is expected. The Bible was written for people who lived in an oral culture. Books, so readily available now, were rare in those days. But passages read out loud and reread had internal verbal cues which made them easier to put into memory.
 
The two women, Euodia and Syntyche, are being asked to come alongside of Paul. Not so much to focus on their areas of disagreement with one another, but to display their loyalty to Paul and by that loyalty show ultimate loyalty to Christ, the One Whom Paul serves. What is he asking these ladies?
 
Literally the Greek reads “to be of one mind”. If you have been memorizing, then your brain will sound off: that expression occurs in two other places in this letter. Paul! First where Paul commands the believers in Philippi to let their lives be worthy of the gospel of Christ, and to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel (1:27). Then again, as it is repeated you hear the emphasis, “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus” (2:3-5). In all our dealings with others, in all our disagreements and conflicts, the issue is not to win the other person over to your view. The goal is that both of you be reconciled to Christ in all things. To have one mind is to be humble before Jesus and prepared to be humble enough to approach one another in sincere love for Christ so that conflicts can end.
 
Here’s how conflicts end, unity which is ours in Christ through His sacrifice on the cross and confirmed by His resurrection, is given to believers through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Who lives in every believer. Spirit-fueled unity in Christ is the gift of the Spirit and having been given requires the believer to implement this unity and work it out into every area of life lived among fellow believers.
 
Paul commends the women, he notes they have laboured side by side with him in the gospel. He is also asking another person to assist, “I ask you also, true companion, help these women”. Some have speculated that true companion could be a proper name, so it would read “loyal Syzygus”. Or that person, so well-known as a leader in the church, has the friendly nickname loyal friend who pulls the plow with Paul. The translation from the Greek into English leaves out this play on words. The women were pulling in different directions, but this man is pulling in the same direction as Paul, and perhaps he can assist the women to head back in the same direction.
 
Note the kindness of the tone through-out these two verses. I used to think Paul was calling out these women and shaming them. But the more I rehearse this passage, repeating it to put it into memory, the more I hear the kindness of Paul. He notes both these women have their names written in the book of life. Wow. That is awesome. Both have laboured side by side with Paul in gospel work. What a commendation. Paul is urging someone who is respected in the Philippian church, a known fellow-worker with Paul, thus with Paul a fellow servant of Christ, who is of one mind with him, now to help these women. The goal is not to win or lose an argument but help the women to agree in the Lord. Each will correct their attitude, their love, their affection and sympathy so that it is in line with Christ. They are to be of one mind, having one love, that is, a love which is zealous for Jesus.
 
My God—my Father and Preserver—who of your goodness has watched over me during the past night, and brought me to this day, grant also that I may spend it wholly in the worship and service of your most holy deity.
Let me not think, or say, or do a single thing which tends not to your service and submission to your will, that thus all my actions may aim at your glory and the salvation of my brethren, while they are taught by my example to serve you.
And as you are giving light to this world for the purposes of external life by the rays of the sun, so enlighten my mind by the effulgence of your Spirit, that he may guide me in the way of your righteousness.
To whatever purpose I apply my mind, may the end which I ever propose to myself be your honor and service.
John Calvin, opening paragraphs of “Prayer before the Day” as translated by Henry Beveridge
 
https://youtu.be/L2QvFKKCzzs?si=pgGpgLYtTTn6yADJ Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah
 

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