Philippians 4:2

“I exhort Euodia, and. exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord”

“I exhort”: Pay careful attention to the double use of the word "exhort" in this passage. Paul exhorted both Christians. God expects both parties to seek reconciliation (Matthew 5:23). “Euodia”: The name is. woman's name. Pronounced “you OH dih uh”, and meaning “good journey”. “And. exhort”: Both needed to act like Christians, and both had the mutual obligation to work things out. There are to be no one-sided relationships in Christianity (Romans 12:18). Paul would not be impressed with the professed Christian that everybody must tip-toe around or is easily offended. “Syntyche”: Is another female Christian. Pronounced “SIN tih keh”, and the name means “fortunate”, “happy chance” or “good luck”. “To be of the same mind”: Compare with Philippians 2:2. The phrase means “Live in harmony as fellow-Christians” (TCNT), “To agree in the Lord” (Mof), “To make up your differences as Christians should” (Phi), “Be in agreement, live in harmony as sisters in Christ” (Jackson p. 77), “Is to live harmoniously together. way of life that is fit and proper for all who claim to have placed themselves under the Lordship of Christ” (Hawthorne p. 178). “In the Lord”: “The desired agreement should be sought on the highest ground and from the loftiest motives. They should remember their common relation to Christ and to his church” (Erdman p. 133).

As previously mentioned both of these Christians were women, and they were very hard workers for the cause of Christ (Philippians 4:3), therefore how much more needful it was that they get along. Working hard for God does not excuse. bad attitude toward our brethren. That's why Jesus stressed reconciliation to. brother, as coming ahead of even worship (Matthew 5:23). Not being on right terms with our brethren can threaten our salvation (1 John 3:15). We are not told what the "real problem" was between these two sisters in Christ. Obviously, it was not. disagreement concerning some essential point of doctrine, for the apostles had no tolerance for the false teacher (2 John 1:9; Galatians 1:6; Revelation 2:20).

Paul names the specific individuals. If we are not living right, if our attitude is bad and our conduct beneath. child of God, then we do not have any right to complain when our name is mentioned among Christians as someone about whom they are concerned. In naming these two Christian women, Paul had not humiliated them. Their own bad attitude had already accomplished that much. “There can be no unity unless it is in Christ. Their loyalty to each other depends entirely on their loyalty to Him” (p. 71).