Have you ever read a passage and wondered where it was hidden all along? What about when it counters ‘truths’ learned for years? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat one such text.
Philippians 4:3 NIV
[3] Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of Life.
They have Contended at my Side
Siblings, all along, I read ‘contented’ as ‘fought against each other’. It, therefore, didn’t surprise me when this text about Euodia and Synteche was used to justify women’s silence in church. In selecting this Nougat, however, I was struck by the fact that they were defending (i.e., fighting for) the Gospel alongside Paul!
Siblings, it transforms the entire meaning of the Nougat. For, it tells us that those two women were Paul’s colleagues in evangelism, who had a difference of opinion. It was strong enough to be cause for concern. It could be that their fight was affecting believers as well as onlookers.
Self-Check
Are non-believers or other believers negatively affected by our behaviour in public spaces? If yes, how do we shift that perception?
Application
Verse 2 offers the clue that these two women were at odds with each other to the extent that it affected their ministry. So much so that Paul urged reconciliation or mediation. He asked that they work in harmony in the Lord, which I interpret as, ‘for God’s sake’.
We don’t know what their argument was about. Yet, we might recall that Paul and his colleague Barnabbas’ conflict was such that they parted company. Paul did not recommend separation for Euodia and Synteche. Rather, by proposing mediation, Paul alludes that there was scope for a resolution. Could we have misjudged the extent of the disagreement?
Further, Paul names Euodia and Synteche as co-labourers along with Clement, a male believer. While some believe that this Clement became the Bishop of Rome at a later point; at that time, he was Paul’s faithful and zealous coworker. Synteche and Euodia were his peers, at the very least. Those women were active labourers for Christ. They were engaged in active ministry of some sort. If it is true that that Clement became Clement of Rome, those might have been very influential women even at the time of their disagreement.
So here lies a word of wisdom for us all. Persons in our spheres will have disagreements. Our task, according to Paul’s message, is to ensure that it doesn’t get out of hand. We may offer mediation or encourage them to resolve their differences amicably by God’s grace. It doesn’t necessarily mean that we prevent persons resembling Euodia and Synteche from participating in ministry. Nor does it mean that we ignore them when there’s an issue.
Siblings, the struggle is real. That struggle sometimes becomes open conflict. Co-labourers deserve the opportunity to receive support, even if they’re in the wrong. May we offer grace instead of condemnation.
Point to Ponder
How does Paul’s proposal influence our treatment of others.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
