Philippians 4:1-9
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women… (vv. 2-3a) I hadn’t mentioned it before when I was posting about Epaphroditus, but apparently he had come from Philippi to see Paul in prison and to bring assistance of some sort from his Philippian brothers and sisters (as we will read tomorrow). So it seems that Epaphroditus also brought word of difficulties between these two women, Euodia and Syntyche. Paul does not write that specifically, but he bids these two women “to agree” about something and he asks a Philippian friend to “help these women”. Paul does not mention the matter in which they need help, but we could readily conclude that it’s the same matter in the previous verse – their “agreement”. One wonders at the topic of their disagreement.
Paul offers another “imitation” verse: What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me… (v. 9a) He must have enormous confidence in his walk with the Lord!
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, … honorable, … just, … pure, … lovely, … commendable, … any excellence, … anything worthy of praise… (v. 8) Breaking out these words/phrases separately gives each of them more visibility. Makes it easier to think on what we should be thinking about…!!
Slava Bohu!
I love this last passage. Focus on Christ and the good. It is tempting to look out at COVID, violence, etc., things that have gone awry in this world, and respond in fear, anger, etc. We shouldn’t bury our heads in the sand, but our inner light must come from our reliance on the Spirit to focus on Christ and the good, and to see how we can make our daily walk to serve others in need.