Monday Devotional: October 9, 2023

Bible Reading: Philippians 4:1-3 (NRSVUE)

¹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. ² I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.

Euodia and Syntyche are at odds with each other, so much so that news of their conflict reaches Paul in Rome. Clearly, their disagreement is not minor, and apparently, it has been unresolved for some time. Fellow Christians in Philippi have contacted Paul, asking him to intervene even from a distance. In his letter to the Philippians, he includes this problem in his writing and exhorts his two coworkers in ministry to “come to an agreement in the Lord” and recruit a loyal friend in Philippi to be a mediator toward that end.

God’s people can get it wrong in ways that rupture relationships among us and erode the common life of the Christian community. Paul knows this firsthand. He and Barnabas have separated over their sharp disagreement about John Mark’s usefulness (see Acts 15:36-41). From what little we know, it seems that Paul comes to realize he is mistaken: He later asks Timothy to have Mark visit him because he had been a big help to him in the ministry (see 2 Timothy 4:11) Paul’s exhortation to Euodia and Syntyche carries not only a note of urgency but also his belief that reconciliation can happen.

We live in a day when God’s people get it wrong in our disagreements and need to be reconciled to each other. Sadly, we often stay in our bunkers and settle for animosity and division. When we do this, we weaken our life together, and we diminish our witness in the world. Just as Paul knows the problems have to be addressed, we can pray for a similar conviction when believers are unable to get along with one another.

Prayer

Dear God, keep me from escalating my disagreement with other Christians to the point where animosity wins over agape. As you see fit, help me be a reconciler when there are divisions in the body of Christ. Amen.

By Steve Harper, The Upper Room Disciplines 2020, page 339.