Main idea:
Paul writes to the Philippians to thank them for their financial gift. Paul tells them to live as citizens of heaven, with conduct suitable to God's kingdom. He relates a poem (chapter 2:6-11) which affirms the story of Jesus, as Messiah, God in the flesh, his death and resurrection. He gives a number of examples showing how to live as Jesus lived (1).
Who wrote it?
The letter's greeting appears to say the letter is from Paul and Timothy. Paul's authentic letters are Galatians, Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Philemon, Philippians, and 1 Thessalonians. Timothy was with Paul, and expects to visit Philippi soon.
Who delivered it?
This letter to the Philippians was carried and delivered or presented by Epaphroditus, who was a member of the Philippian church and returned to them after delivering their financial gift to Paul while Paul was in prison. Paul calls Epaphroditus a brother and co-worker.
When was it written?
Paul wrote this letter when he was in prison. He received the financial gift from the Philippians, delivered by Epaphroditurs, and sends Epaphroditus back with this thank you letter. It appears Paul wrote it in approximately 58-61 AD while in prison, likely prison in Rome (Acts 28:14-31). I provide a timeline of Paul's letters in my post on Galatians.
Who is the audience?
The brothers and sisters in Christ in Philippi, including the overseers and the deacons. Who were the overseers and deacons in Philippi? Those named in Philippi include Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, and the bearer of the letter, Epaphroditus. Lydia is not named in the letter to the Philippians, but we know she lives there and hosts a congregation in her home (Acts 16). Lydia was an independent businesswoman with wealthy clients and appears to be a patron and leader of a congregation. The Philippian church included wealthy women patrons and benefactors of Paul who are comparable to Phoebe, a deacon in Cenchrea and a wealthy female patron and benefactor of Paul who delivers Paul's letter in Rome.
Philippi was a city in Macedonia, designated as a Roman colony which made it exempt from many Roman taxes and home to many wealthy and privileged citizens. They were loyal to Rome, worshipped the Roman Emperor, and opposed seeing Jesus as another King.
Philippians 1:1-11 Thank you
Paul thanks the Philippians for their generosity and expresses confidence that God is working in them to bring them to completion or perfection, to produce good fruit for Christ.
"God began doing a good work in you, and I am ·sure [confident; persuaded] he will continue it until it is ·finished [completed; perfected] ·when Jesus Christ comes again..." Philippians 1:6 EXB (2)
Philippians 1:12-26 The Bright Side
Though Paul is in prison, he is grateful because:
everyone there, including the whole palace guard, knows he is in chains because of his belief in Christ
his imprisonment has made the local believers confident to boldly speak God's message
he has learned to rejoice and will be content whether he lives or dies; if he lives, it will be to bear fruit for Christ; if he dies he will be with Christ.
Philippians 1:27-2:18 United and Like-Minded.
Paul wants the whole congregation to live worthy of the gospel, sharing one Spirit, being likeminded, agreeing with one another, loving one another, working together with one mind and one purpose for the Gospel. Paul tells them to be likeminded with Jesus.
"... that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel" Philippians 1:27 NKJV (3)
Philippians 2:6-11 Sing and Praise Together
Paul seems to quote an early hymn about how Jesus humbled himself and then was honoured:
First verse: 2:6-8 Jesus was God but did not use his equality with God for personal advantage. Instead, he took on the form of a servant by becoming a human, and humbled himself to the point of death, even a shameful death on a cross.
Second verse: 2:9-11 Jesus rose from the dead and God exalted Jesus to the highest place, gave him the name above all names, and all creatures on heaven and earth will acknowledge Jesus as Lord. These lyrics quote the prophecy that all creation will recognize Christ as Lord (Isaiah 45:23).
The Bible Project (2) asserts that this poem expresses the belief in Jesus as the Messiah and offers Jesus as an example for all to follow:
Jesus equal with God > becomes human > humbles himself as a servant > shame of the cross > resurrected > elevated to the highest honour
The Bible Project seems to say that if we follow this pattern of humbling ourselves, serving one another, washing one another's feet, loving one another, then God will exalt, reward, or honour us on the final day.
Philippians 2:12-17 Jesus is Paul's Example
Paul acknowledges the Philippians obeyed God when Paul was with them, and encourages them to "Keep on working to complete [Continue working out] your salvation with ·fear [awe; reverence] and trembling, because God is working in you ·to help you want to do and be able to do [L both to will/desire and to work] what pleases him.
Philippians 2:12-13 EXB
I see this verse saying that we each have to work out or develop our beliefs by thinking through the details, assembling the puzzle of what we believe about God, and what that means for how we should live. Then we can be assured that God is working in us and will bring the work to completion and perfection to produce good fruit.
Rebecca Davis (4) states that this "working" is not our own effort or self-discipline. Working out our salvation means to accomplish or produce naturally, the way seeds produce fruit. The second "working" means that God is energizing you to work for God's pleasure.
Craig Keener (5) points out that Adam, being a human, sought divinity (Geneses 3:5), while Jesus, being a deity, relinquished his privileged position and became and took the form of a servant (a human). Those in the Roman colony of Philippi, would have seen the parallel with Emperor Nero, who sought divinity and encouraged the imperial cult and worship of the Roman emperor. While philosophers encouraged being of one mind with the gods, aspiring to be a deity, Paul encourages them to be likeminded with Christ, becoming humble and taking the form of a servant.
Craig Keener also points out that when Paul encourages the Philippians to avoid murmuring, grumbling, and arguing, he is describing the Israelites' behaviour in the wilderness. Paul quotes the "crooked and perverse generation" (Deuteronomy 32:5) which shows the rebellious Israelites as degenerate or illegitimate children in contrast to the Philippians who live as God's children, shining as lights or stars in the dark sky.
Paul says if the Philippians live as children of God, he has not run his race in vain, comparing his efforts to those of an athlete in training. He also compares his efforts to those of a woman with labour pains, saying he has not laboured in vain to give birth to their spiritual lives. Paul shows how he is following Jesus's example, becoming humble in a prison, training for a competitive race, labouring to give birth to spiritual children, and willing to be poured out like a sacrifice, to produce good fruit in the spiritual lives of the Philippians (2:17).
Philippians 2:19-30 Jesus is the Model for Timothy and Epaphroditus
Paul gives examples of two more people who show us how to follow Jesus's example.
Timothy shows concern for your welfare and serves as Paul's spiritual son, Paul's co-worker in the work of the gospel. Paul says he hopes to send Timothy to them soon so that Timothy can return to Paul with good news from them.
For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. Philippians 2:20 NKJV
Epaphroditus serves as Paul's brother, Paul's co-worker, and fellow soldier who was their messenger and takes care of Paul's needs. Ephaphroditus was ill or injured and almost died, but God had mercy on him and Paul is eager to send Epaphroditus to them so they can see that he is well.
Philippians 3:1-11 Avoid the Legalists
Craig Keener states that the section from 3:1 to 4:1 is a digression inserted into the middle of the letter's main message of thanks and imitating Jesus. This digression repeats some of the messages of Paul's other letters about salvation by faith, not the law. Keener says Paul is using repetition as a rhetorical device to emphasize a point (3:2):
beware of the dogs (those who are vulgar, unclean, immoral)
beware of the evil workers
beware of those who insist on circumcision
Keener points out that the Jewish community in Philippi is very small, so these people to beware of are likely travelling teachers who insist on circumcision and converting to Jews in order to be saved by Christ, the Jewish Messiah.
Paul repeats the message his presents so strongly in his letter to the Galatians: we put our confidence in Jesus Christ, not in the flesh. Paul could have confidence in worldly things, being circumcised, of the bloodline of Benjamin, a Pharisee, zealous in obeying the Jewish laws. But he has no confidence in them. He counts them as lost for worldly privilege can get in the way of putting confidence in Christ. He says he puts these things behind him for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus. Righteousness does not come from obeying the law but from faith in Christ. Paul wants to imitate Jesus, serve and suffer as Jesus did, to know and experience the power of the resurrection (3:10-11).
Philippians 3:12-4:1 Keep Your Eyes on the Prize
Paul finishes the digression of warnings about legalists and false teachings and returns to the topic of following the example of Christ,
Paul presses on towards the goal of being like Christ. Paul imitated Jesus by giving up privilege and status to become a servant, to love sacrificially, for the good of others. Paul uses the illustration of a runner to compare it to a spiritual journey, forgetting what is behind, the worldly accolades, your past errors, straining to be like Christ, pressing forward toward the prize from God.
As we mature in the faith, we may be like-minded with Jesus, aiming towards the same goal. Our citizenship is in heaven and God will transform our bodies as God transformed Jesus and God will work in us to bring us to completion or perfection. We will produce good fruit if we are like-minded with Christ.
"Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. Philippians 3:15-16 NKJV
Philippians 4:2-3 Jesus is the Model for Euodia and Syntyche
Just as Paul previously honoured Timothy as a spiritual son and Epaphroditus as a spiritual brother, Paul now as Paul honours Euodia and entreats Syntyche as Paul's spiritual sisters, Paul's co-workers in the work of the Gospel. Paul addresses each woman individually to be like-minded in the Lord,
"I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life." Philippians 4:2-3 NKJV
Many Bible translations add the idea that the women are arguing or need to work out a disagreement or iron out their differences. This seems to be a human interpretation worked into the biblical translation or paraphrase.
When Paul says the Philippians need to be like-minded, with one mind (1:27) it is not because the Philippians are working out a disagreement. When Paul says he has no one as like-minded as Timothy (2:20), he is commending him, not referring to a dispute being resolved. Paul repeats the idea that being mature is being like-minded (3:15-16). Similarly, when Paul implores, encourages, urges, or prays that Euodia be likeminded and then entreats, beseeches, exhorts, that Syntyche be likeminded, there is no indication that he is telling them to be like-minded with each other. All of Paul's previous references to being likeminded are exhortations that the believers be like-minded with Christ.
Theologian Marg Mowczko (6) points out that Paul urgest Euodia and Syntyche "to think the same thing" in the Lord. Paul's language is positive and edifying, not critical of them. It is possible that Paul simply wanted to encourage the two women to have the same thinking as Jesus. Paul addresses and names each woman directly and individually and asks the congregation to assist or support them, indicating that Euodia and Syntyche were prominent in the congregation. Mowczko points out that Paul also encourages the Corinthians to "be of the same mind" (2 Corinthians 13:11) and the Romans to have "the same attitude of mind" (Romans 15:5-6).
Mowczko (7) also reminds us that Philippi was the chief city of Macedonia and that Macedonian women enjoyed greater freedoms, rights, and powers than many other women of the time. The wealthy women of Berea, another city of Macedonia, are also seen as influential (Acts 17:4, 12) Macedonian women were active in business, received envoys, built temples, hired guards, and acted as rulers. It is very possible that Euodia and Syntyche were overseers, deacons, pastors, or other types of ministry leaders in Philippi. The 4th-century archbishop of Constantinople, John Chrysostom, believed Euodia and Syntyche were leaders in the Philippian church, and he compared them to Phoebe, the deacon in Cenchrea who was a wealthy, independent female patron and benefactor of Paul.
In fact, according to Mowczko (8), John Chrysostom says nothing about a quarrel between the two women but only notes their virtue. He regarded them as "the chief" of the church, the principal or leading members of the church.
The text gives no indication of criticism or calling out the women for bad behaviour. On the contrary, the text commends and praises Euodia and Syntyche and asks the congregation to support them because they have been Paul's co-workers in the gospel. Euodia and Syntyche are two women whom Paul calls coworkers, the same title he applies to Timothy and Epaphroditus. Paul says they served with him in the Gospel, a description comparable to how Timothy served with Paul in the gospel. It seems likely that he names them specifically because they are the leaders or deacons of the congregation in Philippi.
Who Does Paul Ask to Assist Euodias and Syntyche?
After Paul urges these two female leaders to be like-minded with Jesus, he urges help from a specific individual, Syzygus. Here, Paul is not asking Jesus Christ to help the women; Paul is addressing a specific person. Depending on the translation, this individual is called Paul's "true yokefellow", "true companion", "genuine yokefellow", "true partner", "loyal friend", "genuine comrade", and "loyal companion". This phrase is not used to describe any other person in Paul's letters. He urges this individual to support or assist these women who are Paul's co-workers in the gospel, along with Clement and other co-workers (4:3). Ancient writers believed this was a reference to a bishop, Clement of Rome.
Paul is petitioning someone who is an equal level to himself to encourage and assist Euodia and Syntyche. Perhaps their leadership is being threatened and they could use a strong advocate.
Who is the true yokefellow?
Timothy: It is unlikely that the letter asks Timothy to help the women, since Timothy is listed as a co-writer of the letter, not a recipient. Timothy travelled with Paul and Silas to Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea, and Timothy pastored in several places.
Epaphroditus: Epaphroditus was with Paul and Timothy when they wrote the letter, so if Paul had instructions for Epaphroditus, he would have said so without writing it in a letter to other people; Epaphroditus is delivering the letter's contents, so it is unlikely he would deliver instructions to himself.
Paul's wife: There is a possibility that Paul was married before he was converted, and that he became unmarried, separated, or widowed once he began his ministry. Clement of Alexandria thought that Paul was referring to his own wife when he said his "true companion".
Luke: Since Luke travels with Paul up to Acts 16 when Lydia becomes a believer, and then Paul travels on without Luke in Acts 17, Luke may have remained for a time in Philippi.
Silas: Silas travelled with Paul from Philippi to Thessalonica and Berea, then remained there as the believers helped Paul escape to Athens. It's possible Paul's previous mission companion remained somewhere in Macedonia.
Lydia: Paul not greet Lydia or mention her by name in his letter to the Philippians. She was a God-fearer, a Greek who worshipped the God of Israel and led a prayer broup by the riverside. Lydia was an independent business woman dealing in purple cloth, a cloth affordable only for wealthy clients, and having a large enough home to host a congregation and sufficient funds to have household servants. After Paul's preaching, Lydia was baptized, and became Paul's first convert in all of Europe, and her whole household followed her example in being baptized. She was a pataron who hosted Paul and Silas at her home (Acts 16:13-15). After Paul and Silas were released, the city magistrates escorted them out of prison and they went to Lydia's house where the brothers andn sisters were meeting for prayer and worship (Acts 16:40).
Were Euodia and Syntyche a Couple?
As I show above, these two individuals were possibly leaders, overseers, deacons, or pastors of a congregation in Philippi.
Many Roman households had a female head of the house. Church leaders in the first century were generally wealthy enough to host a congregation in their large home. Philippi contained many retired Roman military, and there were many wealthy Roman widows. It is possible these two women each hosted a congregation, but it seems that the Christian community in Philippi was relatively small, the city being dominated by those worshipping the Roman Imperial cult.
Some historians tried to claim Euodia was a man and Syntyche was his wife, but modern scholars reject this idea. Since they are confirmed to be two women, the idea of them as a common-law couple has been discounted.
However, It is possible that these two women were a couple, living together, hosting a congregation in their home. Perhaps they were a missionary couple active in the early church (9)
Paul says nothing to indicate they are arguing, to criticize them, or to indicate that they are living immorally. It is possible that they were living together and being faithful to one another and faithful to God. They may be a missionary pair similar to Prisca and Aquila or Andronicus and Junia.
"there is a significant body of evidence showing that early Christians, including early church leaders, did not condemn same-sex love. On the contrary, from Paul – the ostensible “founder” of Christianity – into the Byzantine era the church had a tolerant attitude, if not an outright celebratory one. (10)
Philippians 4:4-9 Live Like Christ
Rejoice, be gentle and kind to all people. Give your anxieties to God and accept the peace of God, which exceeds all understanding. Paul tells sisters and brothers to think about anything that is excellent, admirable, true, holy, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:10-23 Final Thanks and Greetings
Paul repeats his thanks for the gift they sent Paul through Epaphroditus. He reassures them not to worry about him because he has learned to be content in any circumstance. God gives him the strength to endure hard things, and as he suffers, God will reward him.
They have done well to share in his distress and send him help. No other church supported Paul's ministry like the Philippian church. Philippians sent Paul help more than once. 4:15-16. In other cities, Paul supported himself financially. Your gifts are like a sacrifice poured out to help me and to please God. God will meet your every need.
Greet all God's people there. The brothers and sisters with me send you their greeting, especially those of Caesar's household, which may be important to Philippians who remain loyal to the Roman Emperor Caesar.
Application for Today
Live like Christ, Follow or imitate the example of Jesus, humblinlg yourself, loving sacrificially, trusting God will reward you. Live by faith, not by the law. Be like-minded with Christ; be like-minded with Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Euodias and Syntyche. Remember you are united by one Spirit.
Elaine Ricker Kelly AUthor
Elaine Ricker Kelly Author is empowering women with historical fiction about women in the Bible and early church and Christian blogs about women in leadership, church history and doctrine. Her books include:
Forgotten Followers from Broken to Bold, Book 1 (2022)
The Sword A Fun Way to Engage in Healthy Debate on What the Bible Says About a Woman's Role (2023)
Because She Was Called: from Broken to Bold, Book 2, A Novel of the Early Church, imagines Mary Magdalene's trip to testify before the emperor (2024)
Walk with Mara on Her Healing Journey: 21 Steps to Emotional Resilience (2024)
Sources:
(1) Miller, Stephen M. The Complete Guide to the Bible. Barbour Pub, 2007.
(2) EXB: Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright ©2011 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
(2) "Book of Philippians Summary: A Complete Animated Overview", BibleProject, November 15, 2016 https://youtu.be/oE9qqW1-BkU?si=lcPgFbV6XBDDkSIi
(3) NKJV: Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
(4) Davis, Rebecca, Untwisting Scriptures to Find Freedom and Joy in Jesus Christ (Book 6 Striving, dying to Self, and Life), New Morning Press, 2024
(5) Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Second Edition), IVP Press, 2014
(6) Mowczko, Marg, "What were Euodia and Syntyche thinking?!" Marg Mowczko, July 11, 2018, https://margmowczko.com/euodia-syntyche-philippians-quarrelling/
(7) Mowczko, Marg, "Euodia and Syntyche: Women Church Leaders at Philippi", Marg Mowczko, August 4, 2011, https://margmowczko.com/euodia-and-syntyche-church-leaders-at-philippi/
(8) Mowczko, Marg, "Chrysostom on 5 Women Church Leaders in the NT", Marg Mowczko, June 10, 2020, https://margmowczko.com/chrysostom-new-testament-women-leaders/
(9) Weldon, Terence "Gay Lovers in Church History" Queering the Church (towards a reality-based theology), February 14 2009 https://queeringthechurch.wordpress.com/2009/02/14/gay-lovers-in-the-church-history/
(10) Abrahamsen, Valerie, "Franklin Graham, the Bible and the Gay Issue, Part II: Scholarly Evidence for Same-Sex Relationships, Wisdom Words PPF, May 24, 2019, https://www.wisdomwordsppf.org/2019/05/24/franklin-graham-the-bible-and-the-gay-issue-part-ii-scholarly-evidence-for-same-sex-relationships/
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