God’s Word and Women

Female drama occurred in the early church just as it occurs in churches today. Paul addressed two women individually in the church at Philippi—Euodia, and Syntyche—and implored them “to be of the same mind in the Lord” (Philippians 4:2, nkjv).

It would have been interesting had Paul provided context for their drama, but he didn’t and that is good. Had Paul given the details, then all women who do not share their particular drama might minimize their own female drama. Paul did, however, explain the root cause of disunity in the body of Christ: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” And he illustrated the remedy in the person of Christ: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:3,5, nkjv).

Could it be, then, that selfish ambition divided Euodia and Syntyche and caused them to take offense against one another?

The psalmist teaches that loving God’s Word more than personal ambition (or anything else, for that matter) squelches the tendency to take up an offense against others who, through word or action, promote themselves and their agenda or prevent our promotion of ourselves and our agenda. Prickly Christians reveal their lack of love for God’s Word.

Peninah did not love God’s Word so she provoked Hannah, but Hannah responded to that pain by prayer and faith to receive the birth of Samuel. Martha took offense at her sister for Mary’s “laziness,” but Jesus rebuked her because Mary had chosen the best part (see Luke 10:38-42). Loving God’s Word requires developing a mind-set focused on Him. Isaiah says, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3, nkjv).

Only heaven will show the source of the quarrel between Euodia and Syntyche, but their conflict marred the unity of the church and marked them for all eternity as quarrelling, divisive women. Loving God’s Word frees women from the tendency to join their tribe.

Father, make me a woman of Your Word. Use the hurts and offenses that come to me as signals to love Your Word more. Amen.