Useful Bible Studies > Philippians Commentary > chapter 4
Acts 16:12-40 gives a brief account of how Paul established the church at Philippi. Philippians 4:2-3 shows that Paul actually worked with several other people to do that. That is probably true at many of the other places where Paul established churches too.
Probably, most of the people who helped Paul had only just become Christians. They did not allow their lack of experience to stop them. Rather, their deep love for Christ, and their grateful attitude towards him, made them eager to work for him.
They worked for God in any way that they could. Perhaps Euodia and Syntyche, the two women in Philippi, organised meetings in their homes. Perhaps in conversation, they spoke to people about Christ. Perhaps they prayed with people who wanted to become Christians. Perhaps they helped in practical ways. They may have suffered for Christ too. Some men divorced their wives when they (the wives) became Christians (compare 1 Corinthians 7:15). Perhaps that is why there is no mention of their husbands here.
About 10 years may have passed since Paul established the church at Philippi. Euodia and Syntyche had plenty of knowledge and experience now. Sadly, they no longer worked together for Christ. They were still both Christians, but a serious argument had caused them to separate from each other. Paul urged them to find agreement, not by discussion and argument, but in their relationship with Christ. Their different opinions were unimportant; what Christ had done in both their lives gave them plenty of things that they could agree about. In the strength of their relationship with Christ, they could agree – and then they would be able to work together again for Christ.
Next part: Syzygus and Clement (Philippians 4:3)
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