Men and women are one in the work of the Gospel of Christ

Philippians 4:1-5

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“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” Philippians 4:1-4

The letters of the Bible, such as Paul’s letter to the Philippians, are written for us Christians today. This is why we can just read the verses with no commentary whatsoever; except we like to know some of the background, to grow in our knowledge from passage to passage, and to be inspired beyond the letter. For example, Euodia and Syntyche were women who worked with Paul as evangelists, prophets, teachers, etc. to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to whoever would listen. They also worked with Clement, a male leader of the Church. Paul was expressing his joy and pride in the Christians of Philippi, encouraging them to remain faithful in Jesus Christ, encouraging the women to express their equality in the ministry with the men, and to encourage the men to encourage the women to continue their work in the Lord.

The names of our fellow workers in the Gospel of Christ are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, something we should always be joyful about, not joy in the flesh but in Christ. As Christians we should always be gentle towards others and not use harsh words and actions. The return of our Lord Jesus is at hand.

We can always put the words of Paul into our own words and hopefully speak those words from sincerity and truth. For example, we could say, I love and miss you my friends in the body of Christ, you are my pride and joy [not of emotions of the flesh but in the Spirit of God]. I hope you all are keeping faithful to Jesus Christ by embracing the presence of the Holy Spirit. I encourage women and men both to be equal in Jesus Christ and that you help one another to stand in the Gospel. Our names are all written in the Book of Life to ensure our place in the eternal New Jerusalem. Jesus Christ is coming back. Always be joyful in the Lord, not emotional and fleshly joy but stable and lasting joy. Be gentle to others.

“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11