Becoming (Like) Syzygus
I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn’t want his children holding grudges.
And, oh, yes, Syzygus, since you’re right there to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the Message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans—worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the Book of Life.
Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!"
-Apostle Paul writing to the first church in Philippi, 1st century
Philippians 4:1-5
[This is the 14th message of this series]
Spinoff
This lesson is birthed out of a message on the Do Not Be Like Them Series.
Incidentally this whole series (Becoming (Like) Them Series) was a spin off from that series (this is supposed to be its counterpart).
Syzygus
So we have discussed about Euodia and Syntyche being the ones we shouldn't be like (from this lesson).
Syzygus
So we have discussed about Euodia and Syntyche being the ones we shouldn't be like (from this lesson).
Now we will move on to talk about who we should be more like -- Syzygus. All the more now that the Lord is coming back for His church soon. And He will be looking to find them ready and waiting, not a group of people fighting with one another.
There is no other mention of the name Syzygus (or Syzugus) anywhere else in the bible. Bible scholars do not even know if it was a real name as this word translates to:
true companion, faithful colleague, loyal yokefellow, true helper, faithful friend, true partner and other similar terms. So it could be an endearing name of the person Paul was referring to.
True Companion
What we do know is that Syzygus is in the church in Philippi (like Queen Esther was in Persia, for such a time as this, Esther 4:14). Syzygus was at the right place at the right time as worked out by God in advance. Same as in the case of Joseph in Egypt, Genesis 45:5).
And we know that Syzygus has been called out and instructed by Paul to be the go-between, the mediator, arbiter and the middleman between these two ladies who needs to get back together and be reconciled for their own sake, the Philippi church and of the gospel. It was no accident that he was there at that point in time.
Clement
Another person named by Paul was Clement. He was among those who were in ministry with Paul, these ladies and the other pioneers of this church and he was specifically mentioned by Paul.
This could be a hint to have him come in and help out as well to resolve this conflict. This issue may very well be personal between these two leaders of this church but is obviously very public and most probably greatly affecting this church and the advancement of the gospel.
Becoming Like Syzygus
There is no other mention of the name Syzygus (or Syzugus) anywhere else in the bible. Bible scholars do not even know if it was a real name as this word translates to:
true companion, faithful colleague, loyal yokefellow, true helper, faithful friend, true partner and other similar terms. So it could be an endearing name of the person Paul was referring to.
True Companion
What we do know is that Syzygus is in the church in Philippi (like Queen Esther was in Persia, for such a time as this, Esther 4:14). Syzygus was at the right place at the right time as worked out by God in advance. Same as in the case of Joseph in Egypt, Genesis 45:5).
And we know that Syzygus has been called out and instructed by Paul to be the go-between, the mediator, arbiter and the middleman between these two ladies who needs to get back together and be reconciled for their own sake, the Philippi church and of the gospel. It was no accident that he was there at that point in time.
Clement
Another person named by Paul was Clement. He was among those who were in ministry with Paul, these ladies and the other pioneers of this church and he was specifically mentioned by Paul.
This could be a hint to have him come in and help out as well to resolve this conflict. This issue may very well be personal between these two leaders of this church but is obviously very public and most probably greatly affecting this church and the advancement of the gospel.
Becoming Like Syzygus
Becoming like Syzygus is what every believer should be aspiring for, and that is to be a peacemaker (moderator, intercessor and solid source of Godly wisdom and advice). And not to be a busybody.
For we do have to be careful that we do not meddle in affairs that do not concern us, until we are brought into it, like how the Apostle Paul brought in Syzygus into this matter. Otherwise, if we walk in the flesh as opposed to the Spirit of God, we could make matters worse.
And when we are brought in, be sure to be of the same mind of Christ and the same Spirit (testing those spirits as the bible instructs us to -- 1 John 4:1).
Love and Unity
We are One Flesh, One Body, One Spirit and have One Heavenly Father. If we continue to fight among ourselves or be the source of discord and disagreements then how are we different from the world around us?
God loves the church. He loves all believers, they may and will have differences but nothing that God's love cannot handle. God's love conquers all. Believer's love one another because God loved them first.
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