Euodia ("Success") and Syntyche ("Lucky") were evidently two women in the Philippian congregation. Other less acceptable identifications are that they were two men (Theodore of Mopsuestia) or that they were symbols of Jewish and Gentile Christians (the Tbingen school). [source][source][source]
"For the Pauline letters, this is a remarkable moment indeed, since Paul does here what he seldom does elsewhere in "conflict" settings-he names names." [1][source]
God did not reveal the reason for the estrangement that existed between these two women. Regardless of the reason, the will of God for them was to establish a harmonious relationship. Unanimity in the church is not always possible, but unity is. Paul urged each of these two women individually, perhaps so neither would feel that responsibility for healing the breach lay with the other. Urging was all Paul felt he had to do, not commanding (cf. Philippians 1:27 to Philippians 2:4). He assumed they would respond to gentle persuasion. The addition of "in the Lord" would remind them that they were under His authority and had much in common as sisters in Christ. [2][source]
"Having "the same mindset in the Lord" has been specifically spelled out in the preceding paradigmatic narratives, where Christ ( Philippians 2:6-11) has humbled himself by taking the "form of a slave" and thus becoming obedient unto death on a cross, and Paul ( Philippians 3:4-14) has expressed his longing to know Christ, especially through participation in his sufferings so as to be conformed into the same cruciform lifestyle. The ways such a "mindset" takes feet is by humbly "looking out for the interests of others" within the believing community ( Philippians 2:3-4)." [3][source]
Context Summary
Philippians 4:1-9 - Inspiring Exhortations
What a strong and faithful heart was Paul's! Poor and despised though he was, he had both joys and crowns of which no hostile force could deprive him. He lived in the encompassing atmosphere of eternity, as we may. Surely these two Christian women could not have withstood this tender exhortation; and all his fellow-workers must have been heartened by the thought that their names were dear to Christ, and entered in the birthday book of the twice-born.
Joy and peace are the subjects of the next paragraph. How wonderful that these struggling little churches were drinking of springs of which the princes and citizens of Greece and Rome knew nothing. Note the conditions. We must be moderate in our ambitions and gentle in our behavior. We must ever practice the presence of our Lord-He is always at hand. We must turn over all causes of anxiety to the Father's infinite care and leave them with Him. We must thank Him for the past, and count on Him for the future. While we pray, the Angel of Peace will descend to stand as sentry at our heart's door. But we must possess the God of peace as well as the peace of God-the one condition being that we must earnestly pursue all things that are true, just, pure, and lovely. [source]
Chapter Summary: Philippians 4
1From particular admonitions, 4he proceeds to general exhortations, 10showing how he rejoiced at their generosity toward him while in prison 19And so he concludes with prayer and salutations
Greek Commentary for Philippians 4:2
Euodia [Ευοδιαν] This name means literally “prosperous journey” It occurs in the inscriptions. [source]
Syntyche [συντυγχανω] From suntugchanō to meet with and so “pleasant acquaintance” or “good-luck.” Occurs in the inscriptions and identified with Lydia by some. Klopper suggests that each of these rival women had church assemblies in their homes, one a Jewish-Christian church, the other a Gentile-Christian church. Vincent doubts the great influence of women in Macedonia held by Lightfoot who also suggests that these two were ladies of rank or perhaps deaconesses of the church in Philippi. Schinz suggests that in such a pure church even slight bickerings would make a real disturbance. “It may have been accidental friction between two energetic Christian women” (Kennedy). [source]
I beseech Euodias and beseech Syntyche [Εὐωδίαν παρακαλῶ καὶ Συντύχην παρακαλῶ] Euodias is incorrect, the name being feminine, Euodia. According to the Tex. Rec., with the long o, the name means fragrance; but the correct reading is with the short o, the meaning being prosperous journey. Syntyche means happy chance. These were prominent women in the Church, possibly deaconesses. The position of women in Macedonia was exceptional. In Greece, generally, their standing was inferior. The Athenian law prescribed that everything that a man might do by the consent or request of a woman should be null in law. In Macedonia monuments were erected to women by public bodies, and in Macedonian inscriptions records of male proper names are found formed on the mother's name instead of the father's. Macedonian women were permitted to hold property. In the account of Paul's labors in Macedonia there are notices of the addition of women of rank to the church in Thessalonica and Beroea. For beseech, render exhort, and notice the repetition of that word with each name, making the exhortation individual and specific. [source]
To be of the same mind [τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖν] The same expression as in Phlippians 2:2, see note. Compare Romans 12:16. The verb φρονέω tobe minded, occurs eleven times in this epistle, and but seventeen times in the rest of the New Testament. [source]
What do the individual words in Philippians 4:2 mean?
EuodiaI exhortandSyntychethesameto be of mindin[the] Lord
Greek Commentary for Philippians 4:2
This name means literally “prosperous journey” It occurs in the inscriptions. [source]
From suntugchanō to meet with and so “pleasant acquaintance” or “good-luck.” Occurs in the inscriptions and identified with Lydia by some. Klopper suggests that each of these rival women had church assemblies in their homes, one a Jewish-Christian church, the other a Gentile-Christian church. Vincent doubts the great influence of women in Macedonia held by Lightfoot who also suggests that these two were ladies of rank or perhaps deaconesses of the church in Philippi. Schinz suggests that in such a pure church even slight bickerings would make a real disturbance. “It may have been accidental friction between two energetic Christian women” (Kennedy). [source]
Euodias is incorrect, the name being feminine, Euodia. According to the Tex. Rec., with the long o, the name means fragrance; but the correct reading is with the short o, the meaning being prosperous journey. Syntyche means happy chance. These were prominent women in the Church, possibly deaconesses. The position of women in Macedonia was exceptional. In Greece, generally, their standing was inferior. The Athenian law prescribed that everything that a man might do by the consent or request of a woman should be null in law. In Macedonia monuments were erected to women by public bodies, and in Macedonian inscriptions records of male proper names are found formed on the mother's name instead of the father's. Macedonian women were permitted to hold property. In the account of Paul's labors in Macedonia there are notices of the addition of women of rank to the church in Thessalonica and Beroea. For beseech, render exhort, and notice the repetition of that word with each name, making the exhortation individual and specific. [source]
The same expression as in Phlippians 2:2, see note. Compare Romans 12:16. The verb φρονέω tobe minded, occurs eleven times in this epistle, and but seventeen times in the rest of the New Testament. [source]