The Same Mind

Have you ever heard of Euodia and Syntyche? These are two women who had the distinction of being addressed by name in Paul’s letter to the Philippians.

“I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:2-3

There are some very well-known verses in Philippians chapter 4 (I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength; Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, Rejoice; Do not worry about anything but pray; My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory; etc.), but verses 2 and 3 are not among those that are often quoted. At first glance, they seem to be a message specifically for the Philippians, without much relevance to the 2020 church at all.

Over the past month or so, I have been thinking about these ladies and that church a lot. More on that in a bit…

What about the American church in 2020? Everyone uses the word “unprecedented” about this year, initially referring to our global pandemic, but now encompassing an even bigger picture of deep racial division, repeated and devastating natural disasters, and a presidential election and political climate that have created more collective angst than any in the last hundred years. And as believers in Jesus, part of God’s family, we are in this world, struggling to remember we are not of this world. I have seen people leave their churches over mask decisions. I have read social media posts stating if you are a Christian, you must vote for a particular candidate. We find disagreement, often sharp disagreement, in settings where we are used to seeing basically eye-to-eye. Frankly, for me, it feels like a mess.

So what about Euodia and Syntyche? If Paul was urging them to be of the same mind, they must have been needing that reminder. It is safe to say that they were disagreeing, and that it was a big enough disagreement that Paul, in prison in Rome, had heard about it. I love Paul’s tone as he addresses them! He doesn’t take one side or the other. He asks even the “loyal companion,” who doesn’t seem to be involved in the disagreement, to help restore unity. He reminds the church of the way these women have poured themselves into working for Jesus, and done it together with Paul and others. He speaks of their identity as believers, names written in the book of life.

I had these ladies in the back of my mind as I was working on memorizing the opening verses of the letter to the Philippians, Philippians 1:1-8. As I went over and over the verses, trying to get them word perfect, I noticed that there are quite a few repetitions of the phrase “all of you.” I had to work a little harder to remember whether Paul said “you” or “all of you” in a given sentence.

Paul wrote,
“To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, …
“I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, …
“It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, …
“For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.”

Could Paul have been emphasizing that his letter and his advice and his love and his prayers were for all the Philippians? To include both Euodia and Syntyche, and all sides of whatever disagreement was threatening their unity?

In chapter 2, he says, “If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” Philippians 2:1-2. He goes on to talk about humility and putting others ahead of yourself, and the perfect example of that, found in Jesus. In verse 5, he tells them “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,”

Paul’s desire was that Euodia and Syntyche have the same mind, that the Philippian church have the same mind, and he explained that the mind they were to have was the mind of Jesus. That phrase “the same mind” pops up again in chapter 3. “Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you.” Philippians 3:15

This letter to the Philippians has helped me so much as I navigate disagreement and division within my own “tribe,” my brothers and sisters in Jesus.

Whether I am in disagreement with others or just a witness to the disagreement, I can pray for all and be confident that God is at work in all. I can know that all share in God’s grace, and I can have compassion for all. I can live in humility and put others ahead of me, like Jesus did. I can practice thinking like Jesus, who modeled perfect love but also stood strong against hypocrisy and promoted heart change. I can rest in the knowledge that it is not my job to convince others, but that God will reveal truth. Unity starts with my posture and my words and my prayers. Unity doesn’t mean we agree about everything. It means that because of the surpassing greatness of the One who holds us together, we can disagree without being divided. Read His prayer for us, recorded in John 17:21.

May I go out on a limb?

Rephrased for 2020,

“I urge Democratic Christians and I urge Republican Christians to be of the same mind in the Lord.”

“I urge masked Christians and I urge anti-masked Christians to be of the same mind in the Lord.”

Let us focus on the “in the Lord” part and be “all of you” Christians.

God, thank You for Your Word, that can speak to us today. Thank You that You hold us in Your hand, that You are in control of the chaos and division that is swirling around us. Please teach Your people to live in unity, united in Christ, standing firm in Your truth and Your love. Forgive us for all the times we have said and done things that do not honor You. Empower us, lead us. Give us humble hearts. We love You.

“I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:1-6

-Leah