Philippians 4:2 kjv
I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Philippians 4:2 nkjv
I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Philippians 4:2 niv
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.
Philippians 4:2 esv
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
Philippians 4:2 nlt
Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.
Philippians 4 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Phil 2:2 | "...have the same mind, being united in spirit and in purpose." | Call for unity in mind and spirit. |
| Rom 12:16 | "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the humble. Never be wise in your own sight." | Encouragement for mutual harmony and humility. |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with each other in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." | Plea for unity of speech and thought, against divisions. |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | Unity in Christ transcends social and ethnic differences. |
| Eph 4:2-3 | "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." | Instructions on how to maintain the unity of the Spirit. |
| Col 3:12-13 | "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Col 3:13 ... forgive as the Lord forgave you." | Exhortation to virtuous qualities that foster unity and forgiveness. |
| 1 Peter 3:8 | "Finally, all of you should be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble." | Encouragement to be like-minded and practice brotherly love. |
| Heb 12:14 | "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." | Emphasis on pursuing peace with all. |
| Phil 3:15-16 | "All of us, then, who are mature should take this attitude. And if you think differently about something, God will reveal it also to you. But let us hold on to whatever truth we have already attained." | Attitude of maturity towards differing perspectives, holding to truth. |
| Mark 9:50 | "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other." | The importance of saltiness leading to peace among believers. |
| Luke 17:3-4 | "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you saying 'I repent,' forgive him." | Jesus' teaching on confronting sin and the necessity of forgiveness. |
| Acts 15:39 | "The disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus," | Example of sharp disagreement within early Christian ministry. |
| Rom 15:5-6 | "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." | Prayer for unity in mind and voice to glorify God. |
| Phil 4:1 | "Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way." | Direct precursor, setting the tone for steadfastness in the Lord. |
| Rom 16:17 | "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching that you have learned. Keep away from them." | Warning against those causing divisions and opposing doctrine. |
| John 13:35 | "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." | Jesus' command for mutual love as the identifier of His disciples. |
| 1 Thes 5:13 | "...live in peace with each other." | A simple exhortation to live at peace. |
| 2 Cor 13:11 | "Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." | Exhortation for restoration, encouragement, one mind, and peace. |
| 1 Tim 5:1 | "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as you would your own father. Treat younger men as your brothers." | Instruction on how to approach relationships within the church community. |
| Phil 2:1 | "If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, holding the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." | Similar plea for unity based on shared spiritual experiences. |
Philippians 4 verses
Philippians 4 2 Meaning
This verse calls for unity and peace within the church, specifically addressing two women, Euodia and Syntyche, who were evidently in disagreement. Paul urges them to be of the same mind in the Lord, emphasizing reconciliation and shared purpose in their Christian walk. It highlights the importance of harmony among believers, even when personal differences exist.
Philippians 4 2 Context
Philippians chapter 4 follows Paul's encouragement to stand firm in the Lord (Phil 4:1). This specific verse directly addresses a division within the Philippian church. The apostle Paul, imprisoned, writes to this beloved church with profound pastoral care. His intention is to foster unity and harmony among the believers, highlighting that personal disputes, especially between prominent figures, can disrupt the peace and witness of the church. The specific context is that two women, identified by name, who had labored with Paul in the gospel, were now in a disagreement. This is a very practical and human aspect of church life, showing that even in close-knit Christian communities, interpersonal conflicts can arise.
Philippians 4 2 Word Analysis
- Parakalo (παρακαλῶ): "I urge," "I beseech," "I exhort." A strong but loving appeal, conveying a deep desire.
- Euodian (Εὐοδίαν): "Good journey," "Prosperous passage." A female given name. It suggests a person known for guidance or progress in ministry.
- Kai (καὶ): "And." Connects the two individuals named, showing they are both subjects of the appeal.
- Syntychen (Συντύχην): "Fragrant," "Co-inclined." Another female given name, possibly indicating a similar role or quality.
- Hen (ἓν): "One." Emphasizes singularity, the aim of their reconciliation.
- Phronein (φρονεῖν): "To think," "To be of one mind," "To have the same attitude," "To be of the same disposition." This is a key term emphasizing a shared perspective and alignment of inner thought and purpose. It’s more than just agreement; it's about sharing a common outlook originating from Christ.
- En (ἐν): "In." Denotes the sphere or ground in which this unity of mind should exist.
- Kuriō (Κυρίῳ): "Lord." Specifically, the Lord Jesus Christ. This indicates that their unity is to be found and expressed within their shared relationship and devotion to Christ.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "I urge Euodia and Syntyche": This phrasing indicates a direct address to these two specific women. The imperative "parakalo" (I urge) shows Paul's gentle but firm instruction to them, implying that their contention was known to him and needed addressing for the sake of the church.
- "to be of the same mind in the Lord": This is the core of the admonition. It doesn't necessarily mean identical opinions on every minor issue, but rather a shared mindset, purpose, and affection grounded in their mutual relationship with Christ. "En Kuriō" establishes the basis and arena for this unity – their shared faith and identity in Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4 2 Bonus Section
The mention of these two women by name is significant. It indicates that they were likely influential or known figures within the Philippian church, perhaps even fellow workers with Paul in ministry, making their discord particularly impactful. This verse also highlights Paul's understanding of interpersonal dynamics within the body of Christ. He doesn't shy away from addressing personal conflicts but provides a solution rooted in their common faith in the Lord, underscoring the supremacy of Christ's cause over personal grievances. It reminds us that spiritual maturity involves actively pursuing reconciliation and harmony, reflecting the love and unity modeled by Christ himself.
Philippians 4 2 Commentary
Paul's appeal to Euodia and Syntyche is a powerful illustration of the practical challenges faced by the early church in maintaining unity. Their dispute, though not detailed, clearly required Paul's intervention because it affected the community. The instruction to "be of the same mind in the Lord" is foundational to Christian fellowship. It's not about enforcing uniformity of personality or thought, but about cultivating a shared devotion to Christ that supersedes personal differences. This implies mutual respect, empathy, and a willingness to subordinate individual preferences for the sake of the collective testimony and peace of the church. The effectiveness of this instruction is predicated on the shared foundation of faith in the Lord.