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Advent Devotional for Tuesday, December 21
Conflict resolution ... our text shows that the Christian household is not exempt from the need for it. Apparently, “Euodia” and “Syntyche” (perhaps two church leaders in Philippi) were at odds with one another and needing to relearn the civility of respectful discourse; to see afresh “the common understanding in the Lord” that is the lifeblood of the household of faith. Sound familiar?
These two names deserve a second look; after all, the names we bear often “mean” something. Onesimus (in Philemon 10) means “useful,” an appropriate name for all householders of faith because of the importance of that conduct in the Kingdom of God. Eutychos (in Acts 20:9) means “fortunate/blessed,” because God’s hand of deliverance prompts thanksgiving, apart from deeds of merit.
Similarly, Euodia connotes “good behavior” while Syntyche connotes “being fortunate.” The competing interests in these two names describe well two views of the Christian life: the inner life we call spirituality and the outward orientation of social action. Recall the struggle of Mary and Martha in Luke 10: adoration and piety and staying busy in the kitchen of practical service!
Then we turn to the mysterious one Paul addresses in Philippi: Syzyge, “genuinely yoked-together One.” The name and the request made of this person blend words that share the language of birthing and intercessory prayer. And all these features create a refined theological image of … who? Can it be any other than the Lord, of v. 1, who in this season in response to our intercessions, yokes us together — in our flawed interest in responsible conduct and in our ineffectual gratitude for undeserved blessing? If so, this One’s yoking presence spawns good reasons for Advent celebration! Amen!
Lord, with whom we are yoked because you tethered our destiny to your Lordship, we offer ourselves to you, in all our flaws of conduct and ineffectual gratitude. We seek assurance and hope for the resolution of our conflicts in the way you constitute the household of our habitation, your church. Amen.
John E. AlsupThe First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, D. Thomason Professor of New Testament Studies
For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.
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