In the final chapter of his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul made a personal appeal to two specific members in the church. In a departure from his typical style of addressing the church in general, Paul identified two Christian ladies by name and encouraged them to be reconciled.

“I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2). Apart from this mention, neither of these Christian ladies are referenced by name anywhere else in the New Testament record. The two ladies were apparently members of the assembly in Philippi. Paul’s exhortation to them seems to indicate that they had some disagreement or misunderstanding that needed to be resolved.

In Greek, Euodias means “a sweet smelling savor.” Syntyche literally means “an accident” or “it was fate.” For some unknown reason, these two ladies, Euodias and Syntyche, were at odds with one another.

It should come as no surprise that disagreements arise among believers. Even during the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus, the twelve disciples often disputed with one another. According to Acts 6, a disagreement arose between the Hellenistic (Greek-speaking) widows and the Hebrew widows about the distribution of charity. Even Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement over the inclusion or exclusion of John Mark from the second missionary journey.

Disputes among Christians will arise in a fallen world. In the case of Euodias and Syntyche, Paul made an exhortation to these ladies that they can and ought to be reconciled. He specifically urged them “that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”

Undoubtedly, Paul was building upon his fuller discussion of like-mindedness that he had given two chapters earlier in Philippians 2:1–4. “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

What Paul had encouraged in chapter 2 on a general level, he now encouraged that same spirit of like-mindedness two chapters later in this specific case. Paul even used the same language and the same phrases.

As in all things, our ultimate example is the Lord Jesus. Paul continued his exhortation. According to the next four verses of Philippians 2, he wrote: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (verses 5–8).

According to Proverbs 13:10, “Only by pride cometh contention.” If pride is the root sin behind disagreement, then humility is the key to becoming like-minded. We are first to be like-minded with the Lord Jesus, and as we grow more and more like Him, we can then grow in like-mindedness with fellow believers.

Euodias and Syntyche needed to be like-minded “in the Lord.” Only then could they be reconciled with one another. Whenever disagreements arise in our own lives, such as arguments between husbands and wives, misunderstandings between parents and children, or even church splits or angry family rifts, we should all remember that humility is the key to reconciliation. Only as we imitate the humility of our Lord can we reconcile among ourselves or bring about reconciliation among others that we love.

It is noteworthy that Paul did not stop there in his direct words to these two ladies in his beseeching them to be reconciled. He also included a neutral third party: “And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel” (Philippians 4:3).

This reference to Paul’s “true yokefellow” has given rise to much discussion among Bible scholars. Some assert that Paul was giving a title of endearment to a specific fellow-laborer in the church at Philippi, perhaps the pastor of the church. Others suggest that Paul was encouraging any Christian who was able and willing to help bring about the reconciliation between the ladies. Still others assert that “yokefellow” is a proper name, and should be rendered Synzuge, as a reference to a third person who might assist Euodius and Syntyche in coming to an agreement in the Lord. Still others say that this was Paul’s reference to Lydia, the first convert in Philippi.

Whatever or whomever Paul’s yokefellow might have been, this individual was encouraged to help in the work of reconciliation. This verse also reveals that Euodias and Syntyche were Godly women who labored with Paul in the Gospel.

Our application from this passage is twofold. First, if you are at odds with a fellow believer, whether it be a spouse, child, sibling, co-worker, or even someone in your church that you are ministering alongside, take heed to Paul’s words here. Don’t allow petty disagreements to hinder the work of the Lord. Be reconciled. Let the mind of Christ be in you. Humble yourself and ask forgiveness. Be of the same mind in the Lord.

Second, if you observe two Christians who have a strained or broken relationship, remember that you, like Paul’s yokefellow, have an important role in the matter. Encourage others toward reconciliation. Point them to Philippians 2:1–8. Remind them that “in lowliness of mind” they are to “esteem” each other as better than themselves. There is no greater or more Christlike work than the work of reconciliation.