Podcast: Download (17.4MB)
Agree in the Lord
Philippians 4:2-3
Introduction: As mentioned in previous lessons, Paul began this final section of his letter in 3:1 with “Rejoice in the Lord.” He ends this section in 4:4-7 with the same words, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I will say, rejoice.” The emphasis is not simply rejoicing, but “in the Lord.” It is the Lord we rejoice in and the reason we are able to rejoice.
But for this rejoicing to take place, Paul has stressed the need to press toward the goal of the upward call of God by “sharing in his sufferings, by becoming like him in his death. This has been a repeated theme throughout Paul’s letter.
However, what seems to be surprising to everyone is Paul’s sudden personal urging of two women in the congregation who are not getting along. Normally Paul would leave personal messages to the very end of his letters, but this entreaty is given in a section about rejoicing in the Lord. Therefore, we can first draw a simple conclusion: agreement in the Lord must be a part of being able to rejoice in the Lord.
Feeling the Admonition
We often do not feel the words of a NT letter so that it impacts us like it did the original recipients. Its difficult because we are not personally present at the reading of the letter.
Therefore, imagine this letter being read publicly to the Philippian church and then suddenly Euodia and Syntyche are called out to solve the differences between them and come to unity. Now, how are you going to respond if you are one of these two women?
Our first thought is, these two must have been quite mature to be able to handle such a public rebuke and encouragement to solve a problem that had certainly been going on for quite awhile (Paul had to receive a report and then send this letter back).
Second, when even two people in the local body are not united, especially two significant workers for the Lord, it is going to infect the rest of the church. And when that happens, the whole goal of God’s work will be stopped and eventually destroyed.
In fact, the importance of this unity for the faith of the gospel was introduced back in 1:27 and is the overarching theme of the letter. Paul has been warning the Philippians about self-serving and instead seeing the promotion of the gospel as of more value than any earthly goal. Just to make sure you see this emphasis, Paul was very direct in 2:14, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing…”
Agree in the Lord
Let’s focus on this phrase, “agree in the Lord” (ESV). The NIV translates, “of the same mind,” which are the same Greek words as was also urged in 2:1-4. Note in this text that Paul prefaces his “same mind” admonition with the words, “complete my joy.” Being able to rejoice in the Lord and have joy is dependent on being of the same mind. Paul commanded the same thing to the Corinthians. But what does that mean?
In order to get a better understanding we need to go back to 1:27-30 and what Paul said to introduce his command to be of the same mind. This verse has a military connotation in which soldiers are standing side by side and waging war against their opponents. They have one goal: “the faith of the gospel,” for which they will “suffer for his sake” (29), and are “engaged in the same conflict” as Paul (30).
When we read those words and connect them with the following verses we can easily understand the “same mindedness” that Paul is urging. 2:1 begins with the word “so,” or as in the NIV, “therefore,” in which Paul goes on to tell us to have the same mind as Christ. In fact, 2:5, “Have this mind among yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.” Therefore, what does Paul mean by having the same mind? It is that we are in a battle to promote the faith of the gospel. We stand side by side for it, we suffer for it, and we give our lives up for it. That’s the mind Jesus had and that is the goal Jesus had.
When our soldiers go into battle, they stand side by side. They defend one another, sacrifice for one another, and protect one another. They have one goal, to defeat the enemy and promote the cause of freedom. That is one mind. Personal differences are so insignificant in comparison with the battle, they are not allowed to interfere with the goal of liberty. Thus, one mind does not mean perfect understanding and agreement on every biblical text; but it is one mind on our goal and what we are going to practice together.
Proof of this is seen in 1:9-10 and Paul’s urging that they “abound more and more with all knowledge and discernment. “Knowledge” is something we all grow in, and attaining the “unity of the faith” is something we “strive for” so that we are always promoting truth and can “walk worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
I grew up as many did with the idea that unity couldn’t happen unless we all believed and understood scripture exactly the same. The weird part of that is that no one thought unity included believing everything exactly the same. No, believing the same only included certain hand-picked subjects, but not all subjects. Of course, as you might imagine, that sounds a bit like a creed. (Example: someone asked, “What is doctrine?”, with the intent of getting a list of important “doctrines.”)
What we see in the NT, and specifically illustrated in the letters to the 7 churches, is unity threatened when one of two broad principles are violated:
- A belief that would affect a Christian’s sole trust and faith in God and his word (the doctrine of the Nicolaitans or Christ is not your first love).
- A practice that defiled the church (adultery; teaching of Balaam [idolatry]; “I have not found your works complete.” By the way, how many Christians get really upset because there are Christians who violate the Ephesus or Sardis failures?
The point is, I’m always surprised at which doctrines are worthy of division especially when there is no promotion of something sinful nor a practice of something sinful. We are growing and striving for the knowledge of the truth and unity.
Two passages in 1 Timothy will help us with this:
- 1 Tim. 1:3-6 The “aim/goal” is love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.”
- 1 Tim. 6:3-5 “a craving for controversy and quarrels.”
For example, when disaster hits a community or neighborhood, whether flooding, tornado, etc., everyone comes together saving one another and giving themselves up for one another. No one is discussing political views, racial profiles, or anything else that seemed so important the day before the disaster. Each person is striving side by side, and in so doing, become friends forever. That is one-mindedness – united on the practice & the goal. When we know the battle, all else pales in comparison! The problem is, sometimes Christians just don’t know the battle. We have an enemy, and it isn’t us!
Just to add further motivation, please notice the words, “Agree in the Lord.” That phrase should be the ultimate solution. If these women were “outside the Lord,” they would probably never come to a solution. But when we are in the Lord, we can come to a solution because we are doing it for the Lord’s sake. If the Lord died on the cross to bring peace (in Isaiah’s words, bring “wolves and lambs” together), we can certainly find peace and agree in the Lord. Are we no better than those “outside the Lord?”
Next, I want you to notice this “true companion” whom Paul has urged to help these women. You will notice that the marginal reading is “loyal Syzygus.” Translators struggle with whether to translate the word or see it as a name of a person. Since Paul names everyone in this text, it would seem logical that Syzygus is the name of a Christian in Philippi. However, the importance of this person is that when there are problems between Christians, people like Syzygus can be a tremendous help. Those on the outside of a controversy usually have better insights into how the problem can be solved. It is important that we open to such help!
In conclusion on this point, how do you think these two women reacted at the end of the reading of Paul’s letter? When their dear friend, companion, and imprisoned apostle so boldly urged them, what a strong motivation they had to come together. It should be just as strong a motivation for us!
Fellow Workers
Now I want you to also consider a side note on Euodia and Syntyche. These two women were so significant in the work of the Philippians church that their lack of unity was going to affect the whole church. This was not a couple of cantankerous ladies who had some personal quarrel. These were strong, faithful women who played a major role in the church.
We should be impressed with this simply because of what it tells us about the work of women in a local church and in the Lord’s kingdom as a whole. We tend to read passages that warn against women teaching or usurping authority over a man and then conclude that a woman’s role is limited to what she does in the home or in providing meals for the needy. Nothing could be further from the truth. These women labored side by side with Paul in the gospel. They were considered “fellow workers” and mentioned in the same sentence with men like Clement. This is not an “exception to the rule,” this was the norm and we get numerous hints of the significant roles women played in God’s work.
Phoebe was so notable that Paul urged the church in Rome to “help her in whatever way she may have need.” In fact, she was described as “a servant of the church at Cenchreae.”
Philip, the evangelist, had four single daughters who prophesied. That means they were teaching people and miraculously revealing God’s word.
Conclusion: Whether male or female, we are charged to “stand side by side in the gospel” as “fellow workers whose names are written the book of life.”
Berry Kercheville