For this series in Philippians, I am going to limit each post to one verse, and hopefully produce a short, succinct read for my friends who follow.

With this passage we begin a portion of exhortation, encouragement and prayer.

4:2   I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

Dang if Paul wasn’t breaching the topic of unity in the previous passage, and lo and behold, we have an example of division within the Philippian church.

It seems Euodia and Syntyche, two women in the church were having a disagreement. Do we know the extent of the disagreement, the theological division these women were struggling with, or was it simply the color of the pew cushions for the new worship center?

We don’t know what the topic was, but if it had been a theological topic, I am fairly certain Paul would have provided the corrective teaching, as he does in all the other epistles he wrote. No, I think the disagreement may have been of personal preferences, possibly not unlike that of a minor decision, such as the color of pew cushions or the order of service. I speak as a fool, for I do not see either of those topics as being applicable in the first century. But I think you may get my point, right?

Story time

A few years back, I was in a church where two women were in disagreement over a similar level of concern, and I suggested the leadership call them out in order to resolve the friction. To get it out in the open. To seek to open discussion instead of simply bear the damage being caused.

In requesting this action, you would have thought I was the divisive person. How can we call them out. This would be a humbling exercise for these women, and the fall out might be damaging to the church. Yet Paul called them out, by name, in a book that has survived for two thousand years! I think Paul esteemed peace and unity in the church far greater than we do. I also think Paul had greater faith in his converts than we sometimes do, since he called these ladies out as he did, initiating a resolution process.

These women are introduced to us a portion of this book that holds such great truths, and these truths come from a possible personality conflict. There is potential growth in conflict. Potential, but it sometimes has to go through a humbling, painful process, and I think this is by design! Remember that Jesus chose a tax collector to walk with a zealot. Two opposites if there ever was!

My friends, if you have conflict with one in the body of Christ, remember the words of the Lord, when He taught us.

Matthew 5:23-25

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.

We are to be peacemakers, and not simply peacekeepers. There will be strife in the church, but it is up to each of us what we do with that strife!

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