Paul’s letters to churches like the one at Philippi were probably first read aloud at a worship gathering. So in Philippi one day, do you suppose Euodia and Syntyche got embarrassed at this point, hearing their names read in connection with a conflict?

For some reason they had had a falling out, and everyone knew about it. Perhaps these two had not spoken to each other in a while, and they tended to avoid each other. Even if they were not talking, others likely were talking about them—so it’s no surprise that Paul himself had heard about it.

Most congregations have a scenario or two in which some members nurse a grudge against one another. Sadly, in some situations people conclude that there’s no fixing it, so they resolve to put up with it. “I’m not stepping into the middle of that one!” we might say, or, “I wouldn’t touch that one with a ten-foot pole!”

But Paul stepped in. We cannot be united in Christ and yet be at odds with one another. Strained relationships may not be easy to repair. But we are called to try.

As Paul puts it, it’s not just about having the same mind but having the same mind “in the Lord.” The Lord himself is involved with our disagreements, and we need to resolve them for his sake.