Bearing the Yoke

24) Strength in Suffering Series

I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord.

Philippians 4:2

Paul uses the same word, exhort, when speaking of Euodia and Syntyche. These are women’s names, and he is telling these women the same thing. The word “exhort” is from the original parakaleo. Para means to come beside or around, and kaleo means to invite or call by their name. Paul is calling these women out of a number of blessed individuals who are, as we read last time, his joy and crown in God. He has specific instruction for them; they are to be of the same mind. His admonition naturally implies that they were not being of the same mind about something. This was not a fleeting issue that would go away on its own because Paul sees the need to address it in the letter to the church. He doesn’t specify what Euodia and Syntyche are not of the same mind about. And that is probably a good thing because there are many issues that come up between sisters when we are not on the same page about something. Whatever it is on which sisters disagree, Paul warns it can go too far.

So, when can a disagreement go too far? Paul shows his reader that being of the same mind occurs “in the Lord.” There are situations where the Church misses their focus. When serving God loses the real reason for serving, that’s the point at which a disagreement goes too far. Is God’s work no longer being done for God? Has it taken on a different meaning so that the people serving have forgotten the point? Second, Paul is addressing these women in a letter to the whole church. When a matter is known to the congregation, then the issue ceases to be a private disagreement.

This is such a short statement, but it depicts human nature. Disagreements are going to happen, and it’s not in the nature of God to just ignore it. He expects His people to see the problem and work toward a solution…in the Lord. These two women are not meant to take offense that Paul called them out, nor are any of the other Philippian Christians expected to take offense. We all need to be called out. Adults “get on” to us when we are children, so is it strange that we would need correcting when we are in the process of learning to be children of God? (Yes, that’s a lifetime process.) Unless children are badly trained, they react well to admonition. First, they are saddened by the correction, but they come to accept the exhortation to change. When you’re not getting along with someone, keep in mind that you have a part to play in the conflict. The ultimate goal is not to figure out who’s to blame but to find a way to be of the same mind in the Lord.

Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, 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. Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.

Philippians 4:3-4

Paul addresses the person who spreads the gospel as “true yokefellow.” This invites the image of two beasts of burden paired up by having a plow-yoke placed on the neck and over the shoulders. Christians are committed to the work of the gospel, and they share the work by supporting each other. Paul does not admonish Euodia and Syntyche and move on. Rather, he asks their brothers and sisters to help them. These are women Paul knows and has high regard for. They are not troublemakers; they have worked alongside Paul in the past. They have hearts that want to please God and have proven this by taking up the yoke of the gospel.

When you take up the yoke of speaking the good news of salvation in Christ, the devil will try to stop you. The adversary will place obstacles to stop people from hearing the truth, and he will also find ways to break up the team doing the teaching. He will cause the disagreements to fester, and he will feed the negative discourse in both your words and in your thoughts. Paul points out that though Christian siblings will have disagreements, they are still part of the team. You are a much beloved part of the team, a crown and joy to your Heavenly Father! Don’t let the devil tell you that your brothers and sisters have given up on you. Be ready to let bygones be bygones and return to the real focus of what the Lord is trying to accomplish through you and those working beside you. God does not want you to go into this work without support. He wants His people to be ready to share in this labor, and He isn’t leaving this up to men only. Women are needed to bear the burden, too.

Lastly, as Paul names those who have been with him in the trenches, so to speak, he makes it clear that hard issues and situations that arise among Christians are not being tallied up on God’s “bad behavior” list. God knows the outcome of all His faithful. Regardless of the tiffs and struggles that occur as we work together, He sees that we are still His precious possession through it all. Knowing this, Christians have the unique ability to look past the conflict in the moment with assurance that we all have a future home, life eternal, waiting for us. This unique ability is not granted to every team or organization or relationship on this earth. In the middle of that heated situation, remember that your godly sibling is bearing the yoke, too. They are on your team. The devil is the real culprit. He will distract you from keeping in mind the heart of the situation. At the heart of every confrontation and discussion is the knowledge that you have found life everlasting, and so have your Christian siblings. That’s worth a lifetime supply of rejoicing!

Next, Paul writes more about rejoicing and how suffering plays a part in our joy.