Syntyche
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Topical Encyclopedia
Syntyche is a Christian woman mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians. Her name appears in Philippians 4:2, where Paul addresses a conflict between her and another woman named Euodia. The passage reads: "I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord" (Philippians 4:2). This brief mention provides insight into the early Christian community and the role of women within it.

Context and Background

The letter to the Philippians is one of Paul's prison epistles, written during his imprisonment, traditionally believed to be in Rome around A.D. 60-62. Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia, and the church there was one of the first Christian communities established in Europe. The church had a special place in Paul's heart, as evidenced by his affectionate tone throughout the letter.

Role in the Philippian Church

Syntyche, along with Euodia, is believed to have been a prominent member of the Philippian church. The fact that Paul addresses them directly and urges them to reconcile suggests that their disagreement was significant enough to affect the broader community. It also indicates that these women held positions of influence within the church, as their conflict warranted apostolic intervention.

Paul's Appeal for Unity

Paul's appeal to Syntyche and Euodia to "agree in the Lord" underscores the importance of unity within the body of Christ. The phrase "in the Lord" suggests that their reconciliation should be grounded in their shared faith and commitment to Christ. Paul emphasizes the need for harmony and cooperation among believers, which is a recurring theme in his epistles.

Co-laborers in the Gospel

In the following verse, Paul refers to both women as having "contended at my side in the cause of the gospel" (Philippians 4:3). This acknowledgment highlights their active participation in the missionary work and their dedication to spreading the Christian message. It is a testament to the significant roles women played in the early church, contributing to its growth and development.

Theological Implications

Syntyche's mention in the New Testament, though brief, carries theological implications regarding the nature of Christian fellowship and the resolution of conflicts. It serves as a reminder that disagreements can arise even among devoted believers, but reconciliation is possible and necessary through Christ. The passage also reflects the egalitarian nature of the early church, where women were recognized as valuable contributors to the ministry.

Legacy

While little is known about Syntyche beyond this passage, her inclusion in Paul's letter has left a lasting legacy. Her account is a reminder of the human element within the church and the ongoing need for unity and cooperation among believers. Through her example, Christians are encouraged to seek reconciliation and to work together for the advancement of the gospel.
Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary
Syntyche

that speaks or discourses

Smith's Bible Dictionary
Syntyche

(with fate), a female member of the church of Philippi. (Philemon 4:2,3) (A.D.57).

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Fortunate; affable, a female member of the church at Philippi, whom Paul beseeches to be of one mind with Euodias (Philippians 4:2, 3).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SYNTYCHE

sin'-ti-ke (Suntuche, literally, "fortunate" (Philippians 4:2)): A Christian woman in the church at Philippi; She and Euodia, who had some quarrel or cause of difference between them, are mentioned by name by Paul, and are besought separately: "I beseech Euodia, and I beseech Syntyche" (the King James Version) to be reconciled to one another, to be "of the same mind in the Lord." The apostle also entreats an unnamed Christian at Philippi, whom he terms "true yokefellow," to "help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel." What he means is that he asks the true yokefellow to help Euodia and Syntyche, each of whom had labored with Paul.

This refers to the visit which he, in company with Silas and Luke and Timothy, paid to Philippi (Acts 16:12), and which resulted in the gospel being introduced to that city and the church being formed there. Euodia and Syntyche had been among the first converts and had proved helpful in carrying on the work. The word used for "labored" signifies "they joined with me in my struggle," and probably refers to something more than ordinary labor, for those were critical times of danger and suffering, which the apostle and his companions and fellow-workers then encountered at Philippi.

That workers so enthusiastic and so honored should have quarreled, was very sad. Paul, therefore, entreats them to be reconciled. Doubtless his request was given heed to, especially in view of his promised visit to Philippi.

See EUODIA; YOKE-FELLOW.

John Rutherfurd

Greek
4941. Suntuche -- "happy event," Syntyche, a Christian woman at ...
... 4940, 4941. Suntuche. 4942 . "happy event," Syntyche, a Christian woman at
Philippi. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Suntuche Phonetic Spelling ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4941.htm - 6k
Library

Purity and Peace in the Present Lord
... Euodia and Syntyche"Conditions to unanimity"Great uses of small occasions"Connexion
to the paragraphs"The fortress and the sentinel"A golden chain of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/moule/philippian studies/chapter xi purity and peace.htm

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
... Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, are exhorted to be "of the same mind." A true
yokefellow of the apostle, possibly Epaphroditus, and a certain Clement, possibly ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xvi the epistle of.htm

Paul at Philippi
... embalmed in the memory of the world for ever. Everybody will know Euodia
and Syntyche. Your city will be forgotten, although a battle ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/paul at philippi.htm

The Epistle to the Philippians
... which it sets forth is not that of Paul; and that the Epistle aims at reconciling
the opposing parties of the second century, typified by Euodia and Syntyche. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to the philippians.htm

Philippians iii. 18-21
... [666]. Ver.2, 3. "I exhort Euodia, and exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in
the Lord. Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women.". ...
/.../homily xiii philippians iii 18-21.htm

Quartus a Brother
... some of the other people in the New Testament would have been if they had known
that their passing faults"the quarrel of Euodia and Syntyche for instance ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/quartus a brother.htm

The Women of the Apostolic Age
... Euodias and Syntyche, who are mentioned in the Epistle to the Philippians, were,
there is every reason to believe, in this same order of the ministry. ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/ii the women of the.htm

The Collection for St Paul: the Farewell
... for 'Philippians,' as we too enter, late or soon, into that world where the Apostle,
and Timotheus, and Epaphroditus, and Euodia, and Syntyche, and Clement ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter xii the collection for.htm

Paul Before his Conversion.
... conjux), since it is not likely that he would have omitted her when he mentioned,
in the preceding verse, two deaconesses otherwise unknown, Euodia and Syntyche ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 30 paul before his.htm

Joy, a Duty
... 2. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in
the Lord. These two good women had fallen out with one another. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/joy a duty.htm

Thesaurus
Syntyche (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SYNTYCHE. ... Euodia and Syntyche had been among the
first converts and had proved helpful in carrying on the work. ...
/s/syntyche.htm - 8k

Euodia (1 Occurrence)
... Philippi. She and Syntyche, who is named in the same verse, were evidently
persons of note, prominent in the work of the church there. ...
/e/euodia.htm - 10k

Euodias (1 Occurrence)
... He exhorts her to be of one mind with Syntyche (Philippians 4:2). From this it seems
they had been at variance with each other. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/e/euodias.htm - 7k

Syn'tyche (1 Occurrence)
Syn'tyche. Syntyche, Syn'tyche. Synzygus . ... Philippians 4:2 Euodia I exhort,
and Syntyche I exhort, to be of the same mind in the Lord; (See RSV). ...
/s/syn'tyche.htm - 6k

Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... Euodia and Syntyche are mentioned in the epistle, two women who were fellow-laborers
with Paul in the gospel, for both of whom he has great respect, of both of ...
/p/philippians.htm - 42k

Yoke-fellow (1 Occurrence)
... The names of Euodia and Syntyche are mentioned immediately before, and that
of Clement follows immediately after the true yoke-fellow. ...
/y/yoke-fellow.htm - 9k

Yokefellow
... The names of Euodia and Syntyche are mentioned immediately before, and that
of Clement follows immediately after the true yoke-fellow. ...
/y/yokefellow.htm - 9k

Urge (34 Occurrences)
... with me. (See NAS). Philippians 4:2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche,
to think the same way in the Lord. (See NAS). 1 Thessalonians ...
/u/urge.htm - 15k

Exhort (37 Occurrences)
... called, (DBY). Philippians 4:2 I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think
the same way in the Lord. (WEB ASV DBY YLT). 1 Thessalonians ...
/e/exhort.htm - 17k

Eu-o'dia (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Eu-o'dia (1 Occurrence). Philippians 4:2 I exhort Euodia,
and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. (See RSV). ...
/e/eu-o'dia.htm - 6k

Resources
Who were Euodia and Syntyche in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about a contentious or quarrelsome woman? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about idleness/being idle? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Syntyche (1 Occurrence)

Philippians 4:2
I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Syntyche

Syntyche and Euodias

Syntyche: A Christian Woman in Philippi

Related Terms

Syntyche (1 Occurrence)

Synzygus

Synoptic
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