Who were Euodia and Syntyche in the Bible?

TL;DR:

Euodia and Syntyche were two women who followed Christ and helped spread the gospel. Euodia and Syntyche faced some conflict and were called to find agreement in Christ.

In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he addresses Euodia and Syntyche, urging them to resolve their disagreement and come to unity "in the Lord." He highlights their vital roles as fellow workers who have labored alongside him in spreading the gospel. Paul's appeal, combined with his request for the community to assist these women, underscores the importance of unity and mutual support within the church. This call for harmony reflects Paul's broader teachings on unity found throughout his letters, where he advises believers to live with humility, patience, forgiveness, and love. By following these principles, modern believers can effectively resolve conflicts, foster unity, and better represent Christ to the world.

from the old testament

Euodia and Syntyche are only mentioned in the New Testament.

from the new testament

Euodia and Syntyche are two women briefly mentioned in Paul's letter to the Philippians. Paul wrote, "I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life" (Philippians 4:2–3).
Paul describes Euodia and Syntyche as fellow believers and "fellow workers" "who have labored side by side with me in the gospel" (Philippians 4:3). Euodia and Syntyche played a vital role in spreading the gospel in Philippi and perhaps elsewhere too. They were obviously faithful women who knew the gospel and loved the Lord.
From Paul's first request that they "agree in the Lord" (Philippians 4:2) and his petition that others "help these women" (Philippians 4:3), we learn that Euodia and Syntyche must have been struggling with a disagreement. This dispute was serious enough that news of it had reached Paul during his imprisonment in Rome (Philippians 1:13). Paul urged each woman to come to agreement with her sister in Christ and coworker in spreading the gospel. He also recognized that Euodia and Syntyche were not likely to be able to come to an agreement without outside help. Thus, he asked that his friend (or perhaps the whole community) help these women.

implications for today

Paul calling Euodia and Syntyche to unity teaches us about living harmoniously, holding on to what unites us, and resolving conflicts. In his other letters, Paul consistently called for unity (1 Corinthians 1:10). He advised the Ephesians to live "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:2–3), and instructed the Colossians that unity is achieved through forgiveness and love, which "binds everything together in perfect harmony" (Colossians 3:13–14). These directives were especially pertinent given the common disagreements and disputes within early church communities. Paul specifically addressed Euodia and Syntyche, urging them to "agree in the Lord." By not taking sides, addressing both women with humility, and calling them to find what they could agree on, Paul acknowledged their autonomy and emphasized their shared identity as sisters in and co-laborers for Christ. This approach encouraged mutual respect and reminded them of their collective mission and shared history. This teaches us valuable lessons about settling conflicts and fostering unity. Disunity, unforgiveness, and unresolved conflict will negatively impact our representation of Christ to the world. But when we choose to recognize who we are in Christ and appreciate our differences in the body of Christ, and when we practice humility, forgiveness, and love, we can work together to spread the gospel and reflect Him to a world that desperately needs Him.

understand

Euodia and Syntyche were two women who labored with Paul, Clement, and others to share the gospel.
Euodia and Syntyche experienced some sort of conflict, and Paul wrote for other believers to help them resolve it.
Paul urged both Euodia and Syntyche to find agreement in the Lord.

reflect

How can I apply Paul's advice for unity and humility in my personal relationships, especially when conflicts arise?
How does recognizing our shared identity in Christ influence our approach to resolving disagreements with fellow believers?
Conflict is not something to constantly seek, but it is also not something we should avoid. Solving conflict in a godly manner has many positive benefits. How does your view of conflict impact the way you handle it?

engage

In what ways can we support others who are experiencing conflicts, following Paul's guidance to help Euodia and Syntyche?
What can we do to see people the way God sees them in order to resolve conflict in a way that honors Him and leads to godly relationship with others?
What factors contribute to healthy, biblical conflict resolution versus ungodly conflict handling?