Euodia and Syntyche - Pt 1

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 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 4:1-3 ESV).

Today is Monday, August 5th. I mention that not that it is a “secret” that I typically write the Morning Devotionals ahead of publishing, but so that you may have a perspective in the next few days as we travel this particular path. I will be examining the issue of conflict resolution according to the Scripture. Recent events in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, have reenergized several seemingly linked issues. The voices from both sides of the issues have already begun to shout their positions across a void of pain and grief. Blame is flying in all directions: easily accessible guns; a mental health crisis; white nationalists spreading hatred; a 24/7 digital culture run amok; and, some even blaming a president who rallies supporters with alleged racist rants, or the opposite of a group of seemingly socialistic legislators who gather more support with the fear-mongering tactics so often surrounding immigration. It looks like two dominant rams squaring off against one another in a show of dominance, butting heads. Nothing is really solved, and the resulting headaches are entirely predictable and preventable. While I have no desire to speak to any of these issues in this format, I do want to address a root problem that has existed since the time of Adam and Eve. We see it most prominently played out in the killing of Abel by his brother, Cain. That scene has been repeated so many times throughout the millennia since as to become incalculable. We simply aren’t good at conflict resolution. In our reading today we are introduced to two women from the Philippian Church, Euodia and Syntyche. It seems they had a disagreement so severe and public the entire church knew about it, and word reached the Apostle Paul (v. 2). These women had once been ministry partners, but now they sat on opposite sides of some issue. They couldn’t resolve their concerns on their own, so Paul employed a third party, his “true companion” (possibly Luke), to lend aid (v. 3). Far from changing the subject, Paul coached his true companion over the next few verses on the process of mediation and reconciliation, providing steps to resolution. We will explore those over the next few days. Today I would encourage you to apply a generous amount of restraint and understanding to those with opposing voices to your own. Believe me, the “headache” from the fight isn’t worth it!