Friendship -Help Settle Disputes

Help Settle Disputes ( Philippians 4:1-3 )

In the letters that Paul wrote to churches, he served many roles. In some, he was a teacher and in others a cheerleader of sorts. At times, he said some tough things that needed to be said, which is truly a mark of a friend.

Why did he help to correct things? Was it because he was on some sort of power trip? No. It is clear in verse 1 of this passage - my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown. He loved these people.

True friendship will help to solve problems, as in this case where Paul called out a couple of people by name. At times, I think I'd like to have my name in the Bible, but then it hits me - most likely it would be in a case like these women - being called out for something I had done. I can only imagine as Paul's letter was being read, how people must have listened with open ears, thriving on everything they heard.


Euodias and Syntyche (common names today, right?) were apparently two women who were at odds with one another. We're not clued in to the actual issue, but we do know there was a problem. Paul encouraged them to put these things behind them and be of the same mind in the Lord.


There will be disputes that arise from time to time among believers, but we need to realize that many of these are issues that we need to get over and move along. Paul spoke to their common foundation - being of the same mind in the Lord. This is where we, as believers, need to be able to come together. We each have our own independent minds, and if that is the focus of everything we are, we will never resolve issues. When we focus on the Lord, everything else becomes less of an issue.


It is noteworthy that he didn't just call out these two women, but in the following verse, he encouraged the other believers to become involved. There are no Lone Rangers in a church. We need to be about encouraging one another.