Philippians 4:2-3
I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. [NASB1995®]
In these verses, Paul makes reference to some problem, or difference, between two women in the church, Euodia and Syntyche. Both were faithful servants in Christ’s cause, but for some reason a rift had grown between them.
Sometimes the same thing happens to us, when a gesture, a word, unmet expectations, misunderstandings, disagreements, different ways of seeing things can all cause division among brothers in Christ. We can’t avoid this happening, but we can try to keep it from becoming something damaging, for those involved and for the church.
Two pieces of advice from Paul for this situation, and how they could be used:
1. For those directly involved: seek to live in harmony “in the Lord.” Who is your Lord? Who had mercy on you? Who justifies? May those who have had a problem with someone let go of their pride and seek to live in harmony with their brother in Christ in mercy. Let them recognize their own faults, treating the other in love as a brother in Christ because the same love has been poured out over our lives. Do not let bitterness take root.
2. For the rest: sow peace among those that are in conflict; as the saying goes, “don’t add fuel to the fire.” Instead, seek to bring peace, help, be imparcial, love those on both sides of the conflict, and with that love, try to restore the relationship that has been affected.
Meditate: One of the most evident examples of spiritual maturity is how we handle our relationships, especially the conflicts. The Christian can go before his brother in Christ and recognize his own faults, ask for forgiveness, and be sincere about what he feels. Both people involved can mutually resolve the issue, always remembering that God has forgiven us much, and that it is His Holy Spirit at work in our lives.
Although we know it isn’t easy, may God help us remember these things each day. God bless you!
Scripture quotation taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Translation By: Emily Stader
