TUESDAY-THURSDAY STUDIES Philippians 4:1-23
by Dr. Lloyd T. Anderson
I T FREQUENTLY HAPPENS when a symphony nears its end that the lis tener will be reminded of themes al ready developed in preceding move ments, phrases of which are woven into the finale, which in the case of Philippians, instead of building up to a mighty crescendo, flows into the calm of heavenly harmony. Many truths which have already been ex pressed in this letter will come up again, and we shall find that some of them can be developed more fittingly here than in earlier passages. We have seen that this epistle can be considered in three sections: the Love Passage (1:1-41), the Joy Pass age (1:12 to 3:21), and the Peace Passage (4:1-23). From the very na ture of these emotions—love, joy, and peace — we shall not be surprised to find love and joy overflowing in the peace section of the epistle. The apostle pauses in verse 1 both to repeat the old refrain of love and joy and to link the bright hope of the Christian, which he has just de scribed, with the responsibilities of the present in a most practical sort of way. The “wherefore” is characteris tic of Paul’s practice of relating the thought of Christ’s return to the task immediately at hand. If in that day they are to be His “crown” as they are now His “joy,” they must keep the resolute stand in the Lord which they have taken. Love and longing, pride and joy, add their warmth to the logic of this appeal (v. 1). 1. Careful Impartiality (v. 2) The next two verses fairly throb with human interest. We know noth ing about Euodia and Syntyche ex cept what is told us here. They were two good women who had shown splendid teamwork (the word trans lated “labored” is the same as that I. E uodia and S yntyche (vv. 1-3)
translated “strive” in Philippians 1:27. The picture is that of an ath lete playing his part on a team.) In the gospel with Paul and others whom he classed as his “fellow-workers.” The meaning of their names is inter esting, though wholly i n c i d e n t a l . “Euodia” me a n s “fragrant.” The same word is translated in verse 18 as “sweet smell” : “an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God” (ASV). “Syntyche” has the idea of our “good luck,” “for tunate.” We can but wonder about the dis agreement between these two wom en. Whatever its nature, it was well known in the church at Philippi, for Paul felt no hesitancy in dealing with it publicly. Perhaps a certain amount of jealousy was involved, as is fre quently the case in feuds which mar the fellowship of a church. At any rate Paul proceeds with careful im partiality: “Euodia I exhort, and Syntyche I exhort, be thinking the same thing in the Lord” (v. 2). He goes back again to Christ-mindedness, which is the answer to every rift that may occur among Christians. In a church it is as with an orchestra where the instruments are in tune one with another only because each has been first tuned to standard pitch. Reconciliation among church mem bers takes place quickly enough when each becomes attuned to Christ. Getting right and keeping right with Him is the Christian’s first business always. 2. An Interesting Aside (v. 3) In a lecture to a class on Philip pians, the late Dr. W. Hersey Davis made the suggestion that Paul turned aside as he dictated this letter to ad dress either Timothy or Epaphroditus as “true yokefellow,” and to charge him to “help these women.” Then the amanuensis, or secretary, incorporat ed this side remark with the letter it- 30
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