Euodia and Syntyche were two women mentioned in the New Testament book of Philippians. The apostle Paul refers to them in Philippians 4:2-3:
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.
From this passage, we can gather some key details about Euodia and Syntyche:
- They were members of the church in Philippi that Paul established on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:11-40).
- They had “labored side by side” with Paul in spreading the gospel message.
- They evidently had some kind of dispute between them that prompted Paul to appeal for them to “agree in the Lord.”
- Paul refers to an unnamed “true companion” and asks them to help Euodia and Syntyche resolve their disagreement.
- Clement and other fellow workers are mentioned in connection with Euodia and Syntyche, suggesting they were active in ministry together.
From the context, it seems Euodia and Syntyche were leaders and key workers in the Philippian church. Paul appeals to them directly to work out their differences, underscoring how important unity was to the health of that local congregation. While we don’t know the exact nature of their dispute, Paul urges them to find common ground in Christ.
Some key lessons we can take away about Euodia and Syntyche include:
- Women played important roles in the early church, even as leaders and evangelists.
- Disagreements and conflict can arise even among mature Christians active in ministry.
- Restoring broken relationships requires humility and finding unity in Christ.
- Leaders have a duty to model unity and reconciliation to the wider church.
Background on Philippi
To better understand Euodia and Syntyche, it helps to know about the background of the church in Philippi that they belonged to:
- Philippi was a prominent Roman colony in Macedonia (northern Greece).
- Paul founded the church on his second missionary journey around 49-50 AD (Acts 16:11-40).
- Paul’s first convert was Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman who then offered her home to the fledgling church (Acts 16:13-15).
- The church also included former slaves, wealthy patrons, and Roman citizens (Acts 16:16-40, Philippians 4:22).
- Women seem to have played a prominent role in leading and supporting the church.
- Epaphroditus was sent from the Philippian church to minister to Paul and bring him financial gifts (Philippians 2:25-30).
So the church in Philippi seems to have been a vibrant, diverse congregation with varied social backgrounds. They generously supported Paul and took ownership of the gospel’s advancement. Within this active church, Euodia and Syntyche had clearly emerged as leaders and partners with Paul in spreading the faith.
Euodia and Syntyche’s Ministry
While their mention in Scripture is brief, Paul provides clues about the ministry of Euodia and Syntyche in the Philippian church:
- They “labored side by side” with Paul in the work of the gospel – they were active evangelists and teachers of the faith, potentially involved in founding the church. They continued those efforts after Paul left Philippi.
- They may have been house church leaders – churches initially met in homes of wealthier patrons. Given their means, either Euodia or Syntyche could have hosted one of the home congregations.
- They likely exhorted, taught, served, and organized – as prominent church members, they probably used their gifts in a variety of ways from preaching to mundane administration tasks.
- They were respected leaders – Paul singles them out and appeals to them directly, underscoring that the Philippian believers respected their position and influence.
- They were models of Christian work and sacrifice – that Paul commends them along with his other fellow workers suggests they were exemplary in their dedication to serving the church.
So while we don’t have detailed information, the strong implication is that Euodia and Syntyche were hard-working, devoted Christian leaders within the Philippian congregation.
Euodia and Syntyche’s Dispute
The main thing we know about Euodia and Syntyche was the dispute Paul implores them to resolve:
- Paul directly addresses them, evidence this was a serious issue requiring apostolic intervention.
- He calls them to “agree in the Lord” – implying the dispute was causing disunity in the body of Christ.
- Paul urges an unnamed “companion” to help them reconcile – even mature believers need help resolving conflicts.
- He doesn’t address the specific disagreement – it may have been personal or theological.
- His approach is pastoral – he seeks reconciliation and oneness between these influential women.
While the nature of the disagreement is uncertain, commentators speculate it may have related to:
- Theology – differing doctrinal convictions on disputed matters.
- Ministry philosophy – disagreements on how to run the church or conduct missions.
- Personal rivalry – competition between gifted leaders vying for influence.
- Patronage – Euodia and Syntyche were wealthy patrons in a culture where that mattered.
- Ethnic tension – one was Jewish, the other Gentile, in a mixed church.
But Paul does not dwell on the reasons for their dispute. His chief concern is that two influential women find a way to work together in Christ for the sake of unity among the diverse congregation in Philippi.
Lessons from Euodia and Syntyche
While we don’t know the full story, the brief mention of Euodia and Syntyche is instructive for believers today:
- Women are equally gifted for ministry – like Paul’s other female coworkers, Euodia and Syntyche show that God uses women to powerfully advance the gospel.
- Leaders sometimes disagree – even experienced, godly leaders can have serious disputes based on gifting, convictions, or personalities.
- Conflict resolution matters – allowing rifts to divide the church cripples our larger mission in the world.
- Humility enables unity – willingness to listen, empathize, understand brings reconciliation.
- Christ transcends differences – fixing our eyes on Jesus provides a common purpose bigger than our disagreements.
Euodia and Syntyche offer a brief but insightful model of both ministering faithfully in the early church and the importance of maintaining gospel-centered unity even amidst conflict.
Later Church Traditions About Euodia and Syntyche
While the New Testament contains the only inspired, authoritative information about Euodia and Syntyche, later church traditions embellished their story:
- Some traditions claim they were sisters, or mother and daughter.
- Later texts paint them as martyrs who reconciled before their death under Emperor Nero.
- Some traditions say they freed slaves Onesimus and Philemon who then joined the church.
- One tradition claims their disagreement was over whether clergy should marry, with Syntyche denying marriage.
- Eastern Orthodox tradition lists Euodia as one of the seventy disciples Jesus appointed and sent out to preach (Luke 10:1-20).
These extra-biblical traditions may contain interesting legends, but the Scriptural text itself gives the only divinely inspired testimony about Euodia and Syntyche’s ministry and conflict in Philippi. The Bible alone is our source of doctrine and models of faith to follow.
Significance Today
While just two verses, Euodia and Syntyche’s story remains relevant for the church today:
- Church unity still requires effort – it doesn’t come automatically and must be fought for across differences that divide.
- Reconciliation is hard but essential work – we should prioritize mending broken relationships whenever possible through grace and humility.
- Women continue serving crucially – we must keep recognizing that the Holy Spirit gifts women and men equally for building up the church.
- Leaders must model unity – pastors, elders, ministers, and teachers have a special responsibility to demonstrate reconciliation.
- Disputes happen but gospel matters most – petty differences and personal slights must not distract from advancing Christ’s mission.
The timeless principles embodied in Paul’s urgent appeal to Euodia and Syntyche continue to guide and instruct Christians today, for the glory of God and the sake of His Church.