“I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.”
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord — parakalēō (I appeal/exhort) is earnest but not authoritarian. Two women leaders are named (unusual in Paul) in public disagreement. 'To agree in the Lord' (idem phroneō en kyriō, to think the same in the Lord) echoes 2:2: unity is the issue. The repetition of 'I entreat' (two verbs) shows Paul's earnestness. Their dispute threatens the community's witness. Their reconciliation is Paul's priority.
Church Fathers on Philippians 4:2
“I exhort Euodia, and exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yea, I beseech you 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.” Do you see how great a testimony he bears to their virtue? For as Christ says to…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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