4:2,3
We are not given any information about Euodia and Syntyche. They may well have been involved in church leadership in some form, possibly as deacons. However, this is speculation. What is clear from Acts and Paul’s writings is that women (and the gospels, for that matter) played an important role in the early church. Debates on women and leadership tend to focus on what women must not do, or what women must be allowed to do, depending upon which side of the argument one is coming from. I think this is unhelpful, and not a particularly Biblical approach. It seems that there was some sort of disagreement between the two of them. Paul affirms the two women, and urges. Whoever the “true companion” is, he is urged to help the two women sort out their differences.
4:4
“Rejoice” has been a recurring theme in the letter. They are urged to rejoice in the Lord always. It is not just something to be done in the good times. The church was experiencing increasing opposition, in the midst of these circumstances the church was told to rejoice.
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