This is what we see in Philippians 4 - Paul calls on Euodia and Syntyche to stop fighting with each other (incidentally the only mention of them in scripture). Since he didn't mention the actual argument, or take sides, I'm guessing it wasn't very important (if it was a matter of faith or theology, he'd probably pick a side or set them straight). What was important, was that their behavior was creating a distraction within the church in Philippi. Of course, Paul being Paul, handles this with tact. He urges them to agree in the Lord, asking a yokefellow (awesome...) to assist in mending the rift.
When I was young, I was of the opinion that disagreements within the church body was to be avoided, since we're meant to love each other aren't we? However, the more I observe fellowships and church folk, the more I realize that disagreements are a natural part of any community, churched or not (yes, we're still meant to love each other). We are a community made up of people of all different lifestyles, experiences, temperaments, etc. With these differences, there is bound to be friction. I feel Paul is pointing these two ladies toward commonalities rather than differences. The next verse changes direction, extolling the two to rejoice in the Lord. He points them to the joy we have in Jesus Christ and the peace of God which will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus. In view of the joys we have in Jesus, the petty disagreements (whatever they may be) don't seem as big. Finally, in one of the most oft quoted passages in Philippians, Paul exhorts the church to focus on the good:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)In the midst of prepping for this study on Phil. 4, I've started a new book called Team of Rivals (Doris Goodwin), which dives into the background behind Abraham Lincoln and the men that make up Lincoln's cabinet, particularly William Seward (secretary of state), Salmon Chase (secretary of treasury), Edwin Stanton (secretary of war), and Edward Bates (attorney general), all accomplished men in their own right. It's fascinating to note that these men that Lincoln chose to surround himself with, the ones that are to become among his closest friends and most trusted advisors, were all his political rivals only a few months before their appointments. Seward, Chase, and Bates all ran for the 1860 republican presidential nomination, and were all expected to place above the dark horse Lincoln. Set during Lincoln's presidency, the book focuses on Lincoln's process for reconciling conflicts and bringing together these men and their political differences as the country is thrown into the midst of the Civil War. The book brings out the internal friction within the administration, and the growing pains that occured in order for them to function together in running the country.
I see similarities in how Lincoln resolved the conflicts among these men and how Paul resolved the conflicts in the early churches. He holds together the group of men (and their personalities) by soothing egos, appealing to their sense of duty, and dealing with the numerous challenges to his leadership, all for the sake of the greater good. I'm still on the earlier chapters of the book (it's a looonngggg book), but I look forward to finding out more about how he dealt with conflict internally while dealing with the larger conflict that threatened to pull the country apart.
This post is a bit of a mish-mash of random thoughts, which help me go through the frustrations of prepping for the study (shameless plug: tomorrow - 7:30pm at dccc), especially in dealing with the tyranny of the blank page. Hopefully I'll have a sheet filled with questions, a general direction to follow, and a keen sense of timing (i'm horrible at keeping track of time). We'll see how it goes!
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