Euodias and Syntyche

I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2 KJV)

There were no graphics specific for Euodis or Syntyche.  No painter was shown as selecting them as subjects.  In searching for something “appropriate”, I ran across this vase, Greek in origin, centuries earlier in time, but to me it carried the story of two women, set apart, not hearing each other, frozen there across time.

Paul prayed for them and asked others to help them.

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. (Philippians 4:3 KJV)

I had an uncle who was a deacon in a church for many years. He and his wife had served the Lord well, and their children grew up active in the church.  One son did not invite another deacon’s daughter to a school event.  It should have been a minor detail, but the mothers became involved, taking sides as though there had been an obvious slight.  Of course, the subject matter differed from children, as did the ensuring arguments between the deacons in board meetings.  Within a year, that church split.  Because mothers were not of the same mind in the Lord. Neither were the fathers, within a short time.  And neither was the church.

When we see fellow Christians as our adversaries, we tend to forget the one who consistently is our adversary:

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9 KJV)

Why let him into our family, God's family, our brothers and sisters in Christ?

We are given no clue as to the division between Euodias and Syntyche, and I appreciate that.  The example can then be used in any divisive situation within a congregation.  We need to be reminded that as Christians we do hold the same mind in the Lord, for His body is not divided.  We do not all have the same talent nor the same job, but we do have the same goal – to glorify God. 

We should remember that when we close the Lord’s prayer:

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:13 KJV)

Jesus told us to do good works simply to glorify God:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 KJV)

Paul, in his letter to the Romans, explained a bit more:

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6 KJV)

There it is again one mind -- and the reason for it is is given -- to glorify God. Thus should Christian brothers and sisters put aside differences between themselves.  While they may agree to disagree on non-biblical matters, God’s word not only requires that they be of one mind, but that others in the congregation work with them toward that end.  The differences should not be ignored, they should be cleared and all parties glorify God and move forward.