Philippians #063 - Learn the Bible Broadcast - Philippians 4:2-3
Pastor Andrew B. Ray

Antioch Baptist Church
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Knoxville, TN 37918
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Philippians #063 - Learn the Bible Broadcast
Philippians 4:2-3 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

B. The Admonition for Unity (Philippians 4:2-3)

1. The recipients of the admonition (Philippians 4:2-3)
a. Euodias (Philippians 4:2)
b. Syntyche (Philippians 4:2)
c. True yokefellow (Philippians 4:3)
d. Note: The conflicting viewpoints
(1) Euodias and Syntyche; thought to be:
a) Two women in the church at Philippi
b) Two deaconesses in the church at Philippi
c) A husband and wife in the church at Philippi (some have suggested the jailer and his wife—see Acts 16:25-34)
d) Two prominent individuals in the church at Philippi
e) What saith the scriptures?
i) Neither is addressed in other passages unless under a different name. This would not be uncommon.
ii) It is not possible the two were deaconesses, because scripture makes no such allowance (1 Timothy 3:12).
iii) That being said, it is a possibility that Euodias and Syntyche were two ladies and that they were identified as such in Philippians 4:3 where the Bible says, “help those women.”
iv) If this is the case, the following can be determined
(a) They laboured in the gospel
(i) With Paul
(ii) With Clement (maybe Clement of Rome)
(iii) With other of Paul’s fellowlabourers
(iv) As further evidence that these were not women preachers/deacons, they always laboured “with” the men. They were not leading the ministries. They were supporting the ministers of the gospel (1 Timothy 2:12). Most likely, these ladies helped an unmarried Paul (1 Corinthians 7:8) specifically in the area of teaching and reaching other women (Titus 2:3-5).
(b) Their names were in the book of life
(2) The true yokefellow; thought to be:
a) Timothy
b) Epaphroditus
c) Paul’s wife (Paul was unmarried.)
d) A prominent man in the church at Philippi
e) What saith the scriptures?
i) The verse is addressed to a person which can be ascertained by the use of the singular “thee.” At times, “thee” can be used when speaking to a group of believers as “one body.” This is not the case in this passage as can be seen by the context.
ii) As to the identity of the person, it cannot be determined for certain. It is, however, likely that Epaphroditus would be charged with this task seeing how he was Paul’s “companion in labour, and fellowsoldier,” and the Philippians’ “messenger” (Philippians 2:25).
iii) Note: Consider also the standard practice of Paul dictating the epistles.
(a) The Lord gave the words to Paul.
(b) Paul spoke the words to the man who would pen the epistle (2 Peter 1:21; with Romans 16:22 contrasted with Galatians 6:11).
(c) As Paul was speaking the words to Epaphroditus, he said, “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women” (Philippians 4:3).
2. The content of the admonition—“be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2)
a. A possible conflict
(1) Paul, for some reason, felt strongly that Euodias and Syntyche needed to be beseeched to be of the same mind.
(2) It seems feasible that Euodias and Syntyche had some sort of dispute which was of enough importance that Paul felt the need to have it addressed publicly.
(3) Paul made it a practice to stop divisions or contentions at the earliest possible time (see 1 Corinthians 1:10-11).
b. The solution
(1) “That they be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2)
(2) “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” (Philippians 2:2)
(3) “Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” (Philippians 3:16)
(4) “Be of the same mind one toward another” (Romans 12:16)
(5) “Now I beseech you...that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
(6) “Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus;” (Romans 15:5)
(7) “Finally, brethren...be of one mind” (2 Corinthians 13:11)