Philippians 4:1-3 NIV
[1] “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends! [2] I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. [3] Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

Paul’s “therefore’s” always formed the bridge between faith and practice. How believers lived their lives was firmly anchored in what they were taught and what they believed. It was imperative for them, then, to build their lives on the solid foundation of truth.

In this final section of his letter, Paul urged his readers to stand firm on what he has taught them of the faith, which was all about Jesus. As Jesus Himself had counseled His disciples in the Upper Room, “Remain in me.”

Staying in union with Jesus was the safeguard against thinking and doing things that would endanger their lives together as a family. This partnership they enjoyed in all its various facets would only work if they guarded their unity by sticking to everything he taught them, as well as to their personal commitment to their church family.

There was a weak place in their ranks…two women who were allowing self to intrude. Paul doesn’t give us details. Details weren’t important. These women disgreed about some issue which had sent ripples through the whole group.

Since he was stuck in prison in Rome, Paul called on an unnamed faithful co-worker to step in to sort out the problem. Paul knew he could trust this partner to help restore unity which was the real issue.

Paul’s example of “conflict management” is a shining light for leaders in today’s church families to follow. He didn’t urge his fellow worker to find out who was right and who was wrong, to “name and shame” the guilty party. This conflict was not about WHO was right but about WHAT was right.

Can you understand the real issue in most of the conflicts between individuals in the body of Christ? Usually, conflicts happen over minor issues. When leaders focus on who is right, they play one person against another. The winner goes up in his/her own estimation, the loser goes down…and the rift is deepened.

If the leader zooms in on the disunity the argument has caused, he deals with the root cause…pride. Someone’s pride is boosted, another’s is offended. Since pride is always “the spanner in the works”, as the saying goes, the conflict can become a war zone if left to fester.

Paul was quick to value the contribution Euodia and Syntyche had made to the spread of the gospel. He would not allow a small difference of opinion to spoil their ministry together in the church. All they needed was another perspective to help them identify and correct the real issue.

So precious was unity, based on love in the body of Christ, that Paul used a strong word to appeal to these ladies. “I PLEAD with you…” Whatever else was at stake, unity was never to be sacrificed on the altar of non-essentials.

Ephesians 4:2-6 NLT
[2] “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. [3] Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. [4] For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. [5] There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”

Do you see the pattern? Love and unity…leading to peace… the two most important qualities in the family of God, and the only guarantee of a powerful witness for Jesus in a rotten world, was under attack.

Jesus said that we are to be salt and light, standing apart as different from the world, preserving society from total decay and piercing its darkness with His light. Nothing must be permitted to corrupt the salt and dim the light, least of all pride, the poison that kills unity.

So Paul, helpless to step in himself, calls in a partner to help close ranks in this family of God’s people. His example here, his tactics expressed to his unnamed true partner, leads the way for church leaders today to treasure and preserve unity in the body whenever it is threatened. The way to deal with issues is to identify and deal with the real issue.