Redeemed Failures, Day 22: Euodia and Syntyche – When Co-Laborers Become Combatants
The story of Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2–3) shows how gospel partners can fall into conflict, and how Christ calls His people to reconciliation grounded in humility.
Philippians 4:2–3
Paul's letter to the Philippians overflows with joy and partnership in the gospel. Yet near its close, we encounter a concerning note: "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord" (Phil. 4:2). These women weren't peripheral members of the ministry in Philippi, but faithful co-laborers who "labored side by side with [Paul] in the gospel" (v. 3). Their names were written in the book of life. Even so, their fellowship fractured.
Paul's verb choice is telling. Phronein ("to be of the same mind") echoes his earlier exhortation in 2:2: "be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord." More significantly, it recalls 2:5: "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." In other words, their quarrel was more than interpersonal friction. For Paul, it represented a failure to reflect Christ's own mindset of humility that "counts others more significant than oneself" (Phil. 2:3–8).
The Call to Reconciliation
Paul takes no sides and rehearses no grievances. Instead, he pleads equally with both women to find unity "in the Lord." He also calls upon a "true companion" (syzygus, maybe a personal name, but also maybe a veiled reference to someone mutually respected) to intervene. In either case, Paul shows Christian reconciliation isn't always a private matter. It's the community's shared responsibility.
Jesus established this principle clearly: reconciliation with a brother or sister takes priority even over worship (Matt. 5:23–24). Unity among believers isn't optional. It's our apologetic to the watching world. As Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). When the church fractures, its witness falters.
The Grace That Grounds Us
Remarkably, even amid their conflict, Paul affirms both women's standing in Christ: "their names are in the book of life" (Phil. 4:3). He doesn't cancel them; he reminds them who they are. In this approach, Paul shows the gospel neither excuses sin nor erases grace. Their hope for reconciliation lay not in minimizing the offense but in magnifying the Savior who had already secured their salvation.
Most church conflicts aren't theological but personal: hurt feelings, perceived slights (real and imagined), insecurities, wounded pride, clashing preferences, and more. We should see ourselves in these women. We've all felt the sting of harsh words, dug in when slighted, let our insecurities erode our confidence, fall victim to petty jealousies, fomented fearful rivalries, and – in all these ways and more —found ourselves estranged from fellow laborers in Christ.
Yet Christ doesn't leave us there. He calls us back to His mindset: the humility of the cross. He surrounds us with fellow believers to guide our reconciliation. And He anchors us with this truth: our names are written not in our own record of righteousness but in His book of life.
An Encouragement
Euodia and Syntyche remind us that redeemed people can still wound one another, that gospel laborers can become combatants. But they also testify that Christ is stronger than our quarrels. His blood reconciles us not only to God but to each other.
The same Lord who humbled Himself unto death now calls His people to humble themselves for love's sake. When we do, the world witnesses something inexplicable: fractured people made one in Christ.
Enjoy all 31 devotionals in the Redeemed Failures series here —stories of grace, second chances, and the God who still restores.