«I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life» (Philippians 4:2, 3).
WHO WERE EUODIA AND SYNTYCHE? Two women believers of Macedonia, probably church leaders, and of whom we only know that they were enemies, at the time Paul wrote his Epistle to the Philippians. We do not know what the disagreement between Euodia and Syntyche was because the apostle did not mention it specifically, but we assume that the conflict between these two sisters in Christ was affecting the whole church, and Paul decided to do something about it.
What did the apostle do to settle their differences? First, he implored them to put an end to their differences for the sake of the whole congregation. Second, he asked other faithful church members to intercede to help them reconcile. Finally, he asked them «to be of the same mind in the Lord» (v. 2). In other words, he encouraged them to live in harmony as sisters in Christ and to forgive one another as the Lord had forgiven them.
There is an important lesson in this small incident: until the day of Jesus’s Second Coming, there will be conflicts among church members, even among leaders! Let us remember that Euodia and Syntyche «labored» with the apostle in the gospel of Christ. Paul said that their «names [were] in the Book of Life.» However, the apostle had to intervene to help them reconcile!
What we are saying here is that it is normal for disagreements to occur among the members of a congregation. What is unacceptable is that we allow these disagreements to separate us and, worse, divide the church.
Did Euodia and Syntyche finally reconcile? Probably, but we do not know. Even more important is this other question: Is there anyone in your congregation you need to reconcile with today? Whatever the cause of the disagreement, if the result has been separation, estrangement, or division, God’s desire is for that person and you to become «of the same mind in the Lord.»
Let us remember that, in order to save us, Christ «humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.» Let us also remember His words to the disciples after announcing His death: «By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another» (John 13:35).
Dear Jesus, I never want to be a stumbling block for my brethren in the faith.
Please help me always to behave in a way that promotes the unity of Your flock. Only then will the world know that we are Your disciples.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
