Rivalry and Selfish Ambition

With every letter in the New Testament, there is always an occasion for writing. Given the themes and discourses in Philippians, it would seem the purpose for writing this letter centers on one particular problem taking place in the church; a battle between two members named Euodia and Syntyche. Even though Paul’s mention of them is brief (4:2), comparing what he says regarding them and what the theme of the letter focuses on bears strong evidence that the fighting of these two were what Paul had in mind when he put pen to paper. The strongest argument for this centers on a particular Greek word Paul chose when writing.

4:2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

The word I am focusing on is the word translated “to agree.” This word is elsewhere translated in Philippians as “being of the same mind” or “being like-minded”. It seems these two women had such an argument, such a disagreement that it was affecting the Church. This was no small dispute either, for it reached the ears of Paul who was miles away in a prison. These two women were butting heads, and their dispute was such that it required Paul to even tell the rest of the church to step in and assist them in reconciling their differences in 4:3.

But back to this word. Consider the other passages where Paul uses it.

1:7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

3:5 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.

These verses show a great concern for the church to have a deep consideration of one another, but to go deeper, I want to quote extensively from Philippians 2 and then make some observations about the text. Here I shall depart from my normal usage of the ESV and quote from the NASV.

2:1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
2:2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
2:4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
2:5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,…

Notice the four “if” clauses in verse one. These clauses are presented as “ifs” for the purpose of making a point. Of course these things should be true of a church. Paul is wanting to emphasize these aspects of the Christian life in order to make his point in the next verse. It is because of the existence of these four “ifs” that not only is Paul’s request in verse 2 possible, but is even expected. There is a missing word in verse 2, which is understood, it is the completion of the “ifs” in verse one and the word is “then.” Paul is saying “if these things exist (which they should and do), then make my joy complete.”

In verse two the first thing to notice is the goal of unity. Same mind, same love, united, and oneness of purpose are all geared toward a group who is functioning as a single unit or body. To use one of Paul’s illustrations – imagine two feet of the same body not working together with the same purpose – walking. Could that body ever get anywhere? Maybe if the hands dragged the body across the ground, but would that be the best way or the most appealing to those watching? The real question is how this is supposed to be accomplished and Paul is kind enough to give us a few clues in the next few verses.

Go back to our purpose for writing the letter – two women fighting. What they were fighting for is irrelevant, the fact is they were fighting and the nature of any fight is two or more people arguing for their own position or desires in regards to a particular issue. Neither is willing to give, neither is willing to consider the other person. Instead, they are only concerned for their own convictions and passions and quite possibly even blinded by those passions.

The ESV translates the verse as “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” Rivalry, it could be argued, is one form of unchecked, selfish ambition. See how the quest for significance enters into this discussion? It is our own quest for significance that blinds us to the needs, desires, and passions of others around us.

This is why I like so much verse four. Read it carefully. It is not saying we cannot be concerned about our own desires and passions, our own ambitions, but we must keep them in check and also look out for the interests, desires, passions, and ambitions of others around us.

It would seem that if we could learn to champion this practical concern for not just our own ambitions, but also those of others, peace could truly be found in the church. Thankfully we are not without an example of just how this is done, and our next posting will look to unpack that example.