Lives of Scripture

Euodia appears in Paul's letter to the Philippians, named alongside another woman, Syntyche, in a direct pastoral appeal: "I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life" (Philippians 4:2-3). Paul's description of Euodia as one who "shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel" indicates she was not a peripheral figure but an active, respected coworker in the church's founding and early ministry -- likely one of the women converted under Paul's ministry at Philippi (see Acts 16:13-15, though not cited among this entry's references). The specific nature of her disagreement with Syntyche is never detailed, only that it was significant enough for Paul to name both women individually in a letter meant to be read aloud to the whole congregation, and to ask a "true companion" -- possibly the letter's carrier or a church leader -- to help reconcile them. Paul's appeal is notably gentle rather than accusatory, urging harmony "in the Lord" rather than assigning blame to either woman.