Philippians 4:2
in Philippians 4I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord.
KJV
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
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This verse in Philippians 4
Commentary
12 notes on this verseI beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche - These were two pious women, as it is generally supposed, who were deaconesses in the Church at Philippi, and who in some points of doctrine and discipline had disagreed. He exhorts them to be of the same mind, that is, to compose their differences; and, if they could not perfectly agree to think and let think, and to avoid all public opposition, as their dissension would strengthen the hands of the common enemy, and stumble those who were weak.
This site's exposition
I beseech Euodias
on Philippians 4:2-3
Two named women receive the letter's mind-appeal in person, be of the same mind in the Lord, and the naming measures both the rift's seriousness and their standing. Paul's account of them is honor: they laboured with me in the gospel, the athlete's word sunethlesan, they contended at my side, with Clement and the rest whose names are in the book of life. The register named here runs from Exodus 32:32 through Revelation, and the true yokefellow asked to help them is unnamed, the candidates many and the verse silent.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers3 voices
He asks that these women should seek a common understanding in the Lord. Out of their belief in Christ, they should think and understand what the gospel says about Christ. But he says "I ask," implying that this will be to their benefit. "I do …
A commentator
Ignatius of AntiochEpistle of Pseudo-Ignatius to the Antiochians · Written before 108.
proposed
Ye have been the disciples of Paul and Peter; do not lose what was committed to your trust. Keep in remembrance Euodias, your deservedly-blessed pastor, into whose hands the government over you was first entrusted by the apostles. Let us not bring disgrace upon our Father. Let us prove ourselves His true-born children, and not bastards. Ye know after what manner I have acted among you. The things which, when present, I spoke to you, these same, when absent, I now write to you. "If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema."
"I exhort Euodia, and exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women." Some say Paul here exhorts his own wife; but it is not so, but some other woman, or the husband of one of them. "Help these women, for they labored with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers whose names are in the book of life." Seest thou how great a testimony he beareth to their virtue? For as Christ saith to his Apostles, "Rejoice not that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in the book of life"; so Paul testifieth to them, saying, "whose names are in the book of life." These women seem to me to be the chief of the Church which was there, and he commendeth them to some notable man whom he calls his "yokefellow," to whom perchance he was wont to commend them, as to a fellow-worker, and fellow-soldier, and brother, and companion, as he doth in the Epistle to the Romans, when he saith, "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, who is a servant of the Church that is at Cenchrea." "Yokefellow;" either some brother of theirs, or a husband of hers; as if he had said, Now thou art a true brother, now a true husband, because thou hast become a Member. "For they labored with me in the Gospel." This protection came from home, not from friendship, but for good deeds. "Labored with me." What sayest thou? Did women labor with thee? Yes, he answereth, they too contributed no small portion. Although many were they who wrought together with him, yet these women also acted with him amongst the many. The Churches then were no little edified, for many good ends are gained where they who are approved, be they men, or be they women, enjoy from the rest such honor. […]
The Medieval Church2 voices
It seems to me that these women held a prominent position in the local Church. Therefore he entrusts them to a certain wonderful man, who was either the brother of one of them, or her husband. Perhaps he was the jailer in Philippi (Acts 16:23–40). …
Then when he says, I entreat Euodia, he gives the individual exhortations: first, in regard to concord; secondly, in regard to solicitude in helping (4:3). These two women, Euodia and Syntyche, ministered to the saints in Philippi, and perhaps there was some strife between them. …
5 more voices on this verse
The Reformation1 voice
I exhort Euodias and Syntyche It is an almost universally received opinion that Paul was desirous to settle a quarrel, I know not of what sort, between those two women. While I am not inclined to contend as to this, the words of Paul do not afford ground enough for such a conjecture to satisfy us that it really was so.
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
): I beseech Euodias and Syntyche that they be of the same mind in the Lord. This is directed to some particular persons. Sometimes there is need of applying the general precepts of the gospel to particular persons and cases.
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche,....
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
Euodia and Syntyche were two women who seem to have been at variance; probably deaconesses of the church. He repeats, "I beseech," as if he would admonish each separately, and with the utmost impartiality. in the Lord--the true element of Christian union; for those "in the Lord" by faith to be at variance, is an utter inconsistency.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche - These are doubtless the names of females. The name Syntyche is sometimes the name of a man; but, if these persons are referred to in Php 4:3, there can be no doubt that they were females. Nothing more is known of them than is here mentioned. It has been commonly supposed that they were deaconesses, who preached the gospel to those of their own sex; but there is no certain evidence of this. All that is known is, that there was some disagreement between them, and the apostle entreats them to be reconciled to each other. That they be of the same mind - That they be united, or reconciled. Whether the difference related to doctrine, or to something else, we cannot determine from this phrase. The language is such as would properly relate to any difference. In the Lord - In their Christian walk and plans. They were doubtless professing Christians, and the apostle exhorts them to make the Lord the great object of their affections, and in their regard for him, to bury all their petty differences and animosities.
The words behind it
10 Greek wordsEvery Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Greek | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Εὐοδίαν | euodian | Euodia | G2136 → | |
| παρακαλῶ | parakalo | I exhort | G3870 → | |
| καὶ | kai | and | G2532 → | 9120 times |
| Συντύχην | suntuchen | Syntyche | G4941 → | |
| παρακαλῶ | parakalo | I exhort | G3870 → | |
| τὸ | to | the | G3588 → | 19766 times |
| αὐτὸ | auto | same | G846 → | 5565 times |
| φρονεῖν | phronein | to be of mind | G5426 → | 26 times |
| ἐν | en | in | G1722 → | 2738 times |
| κυρίῳ· | kurio | [the] Lord; | G2962 → | 711 times |
ΕὐοδίανEuodia
euodianG2136 →
παρακαλῶI exhort
parakaloG3870 →
καὶand
kaiG2532 →9120 times
ΣυντύχηνSyntyche
suntuchenG4941 →
παρακαλῶI exhort
parakaloG3870 →
τὸthe
toG3588 →19766 times
αὐτὸsame
autoG846 →5565 times
φρονεῖνto be of mind
phroneinG5426 →26 times
ἐνin
enG1722 →2738 times
κυρίῳ·[the] Lord;
kurioG2962 →711 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Hebrews 12:14Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
it leads to
- Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- 2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
- 1 Peter 1:15–16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.
- Matthew 5:8–9
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
- Romans 12:18
Through
1 Corinthians 1:10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united…
it leads to
- Philippians 2:1–4
Therefore if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
- Ephesians 4:1–7
As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:
- 1 Corinthians 12:25
so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another.
- Philippians 2:1–4
About Philippians
Who and where
2 names in this verse with a page on the site.
This page draws on 13 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Gaius Marius Victorinus, EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS 4.2; Ignatius of Antioch, Epistle of Pseudo-Ignatius to the Antiochians; J. B. Lightfoot, Saint Paul's Epistle to the Philippians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentaries; John Chrysostom, Homily on Philippians 13; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on Philippians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on Philippians.