Conflicts in Relationship

Bible Passage: Philippians 4:2-3; 2:1-11

1. Facts about Euodia and Syntyche (4:2-3)

(a) Longtime friends
(b) Well-known members of the Philippian Church
(c) Companions (true) in Paul’s ministry
(d) Probably, core members of the church along with Clement
(e) Conflict—not having the “same mind” (verse 2)
(f) Consequently, the entire church family was divided

2. Cause of the conflict

(a) Bifocal vision (1:27, 2:1-2)—27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my-absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel; 2:1-2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind
(b) Not having a common goal—not concentrating together on one thing (2:2)
(c) Selfish ambition (2:3) and vain conceit (empty)—Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit
(d) Personal agenda (2:4)—egocentric priorities, obsession on self

3. Solution to the conflict

(a) Regard others better than yourself (2:3)
(b) Not looking to your own interest, but the interest of others (2:4)
(c) Humility in relationship (2:4)
(c1) Jesus provides us the model (2:5-8)
(c2) God the Father provides the real exaltation, which all followers of Jesus must seek after-(2:9-11)

Take Away

Take up Jesus’ model to avoid conflicts in relationships