We’re continuing our study of the book of Philippians. Paul is now dealing with some final issues before closing this letter.
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:2-3 NIV
Here we see something happening that really grieves the heart of Paul. I think that this passage is overlooked too often. It’s something that we should understand – especially in our generation of the church.
In the Philippian church, there were two women, Euodia and Syntyche. They were both mature believers who were strong in the Lord. They were passionate about their faith.
Both of these women were deeply involved in evangelism. So much so, that they worked with Paul in preaching the Gospel and winning souls into God’s kingdom. What, then, was the problem?
As we see again and again, when people work closely together, sometimes their personalities collide. When we work together, we see each other’s quirks and weaknesses. Sometimes these will begin to annoy us. The important thing is how we handle these situations.
The world’s answer is to separate. Stop working together and go someplace different – start over. However, the world’s opinion is seldom the way things work in God’s kingdom.
What the world doesn’t understand is the concept of “calling”. Unfortunately, it’s been my experience that much of the church doesn’t understand it either.
Paul calls these women fellow workers with him. They were obviously called by God to work together with Paul. The word, plead, in this passage means to call alongside. So, the apostle made it a point to say, “I call alongside Euodia, and I call alongside Syntyche.”
In Paul’s mind, their calling hasn’t changed. It was only their attitude toward each other that was the problem. They needed to deal with the root of the issue.
James understood this and wrote about it.
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?
James 4:1 NIV
James actually says that wars and fights start within us. They’re caused by our own desires that are not lined up with the will of God. When our flesh wants something, that’s when the trouble starts.
I would say that most of our trouble with others is caused by something that we desire. Usually, our problems with others revolve around unmet expectations. Expectation is simply another word for desire. It’s your unmet desires that start the problems.
The fact is, when it comes to God’s calling on my life, my desires have nothing to do with it. When I look at the ministry I’m involved in, and the people I’m called to work alongside, it amazes me. In my fleshly thinking, I would never have chosen to work with some of these people.
But it wasn’t up to me. God does the “hiring and firing”. Because of God’s plan – bringing different people than I would normally be comfortable with – I experience a new level of growth. I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but you can’t experience growth without some discomfort.
Now, having worked with people who are much different than me, we’ve become very close. We’ve gone through spiritual battles together.
Do our personalities always agree? No! But our commitment to the cause of Christ becomes the overriding factor. We’re called alongside each other. That’s a lesson we all need to learn in this modern church age.
Question: What are the different personalities God has called you to work alongside?
© 2023 Nick Zaccardi
The Spirit and the Word 