Women In Conflict

Or Building Unity or How to Resolve Conflicts

Read Philippians 2:1-8 and 3:20 - 4:9 and Chapter 9 in Women of the New Testament by Phyllis J. LePeau

The story of Euodia(Eu-oh'-dee-a) and Syntyche (Sin'-tyke-e) is about all of these things!

I urge you to live with these passages and the study questions this week.  It is a short reading, but there is much to consider and learn.  Writing down your answers in your study guide or a journal will help you delve deeper into applying the lessons to your own life. 

In Philippians 4:2-3 we hear that there is a conflict between these two women, how important they are to the church and to Paul, and the good work that they have done in the past.  Does this sound like a familiar situation?  It's one that has probably been repeated many times since those early years in Philipi, all the way down to the 21st Century.  Perhaps you have been a witness to or involved in a similar situation.  Paul doesn't go into the details of their conflict, but instead urges them to settle their disagreement.  And he doesn't just tell them to stop fighting, but gives them (and us) ways to resolve conflicts and build unity.

When I first read this story I wanted to know: why are these women fighting, were they friends to begin with, was one of them wrong, did they ever resolve their conflict?  I'm a detail oriented person, so the lack of information can be a hang-up for me.  However, I also recognize that the nature of their conflict is not important.  Paul urges both of them to settle the disagreement and asks that others help these women (Phil 4:3).  The who, what, why, when, and how are wholly unimportant.  The lack of detail makes this a universal case study of conflict resolution.  Regardless of why I'm fighting with someone or who it is, I can take Paul's advice to not be selfish, to be humble, to pray about everything.

The important message is the resolution - the settlement - the building of unity!  This isn't about pointing fingers or 'who was right and who was wrong', it's about living with Christ's attitude (Phil 2:5).  As you read through the passages, notice all the ways Paul tells the church to live in unity, using Jesus as our model.  It's not an easy model to follow; I know I struggle with it daily!  But I think the reward is worth it,  "If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand." (Phil 4:7).

In the comments below, share some specific ways you see yourself growing more like Jesus and / or steps you want to take to live out being a person of Christlike unity.

Your Faithful Partner in Ministry,
Shelly