A.T. Robertson Commentary Philippians 4

Longed for (επιποθητο). Late and rare verbal adjective (here alone in N.T.) from επιποθεω.

So stand fast (ουτο στηκετε). Present active imperative of στηκω (late present from perfect εστηκα from ιστημ). See 1:27. They were tempted to defection. Standing firm is difficult when a panic starts.

Euodia (Ευοδιαν). This name means literally "prosperous journey" (ευ, οδος). It occurs in the inscriptions.

Syntyche (Συντυχην). From συντυγχανω, to meet with and so "pleasant acquaintance" or "good-luck." Occurs in the inscriptions and identified with Lydia by some. Klopper suggests that each of these rival women had church assemblies in their homes, one a Jewish-Christian church, the other a Gentile-Christian church. Vincent doubts the great influence of women in Macedonia held by Lightfoot who also suggests that these two were ladies of rank or perhaps deaconesses of the church in Philippi. Schinz suggests that in such a pure church even slight bickerings would make a real disturbance. "It may have been accidental friction between two energetic Christian women" (Kennedy).

True yokefellow (γνησιε συνζυγε). All sorts of suggestions have been made here, one that it was Lydia who is termed Paul's wife by the word συνζυγε. Unfortunately for that view γνησιε is masculine vocative singular. Some have suggested it as a proper name though it is not found in the inscriptions, but the word does occur as an appellative in one. Lightfoot even proposes Epaphroditus, the bearer of the Epistle, certainly a curious turn to take to address him. After all it matters little that we do not know who the peacemaker was.

Help these women (συνλαμβανου αυταις). Present middle imperative of συνλαμβανω, to seize (Matthew 26:55), to conceive (Luke 1:24), then to take hold together with one (associative instrumental case), to help as here (Luke 5:7). "Take hold with them."

They laboured with me (συνηθλησαν μο). First aorist active indicative of συναθλεω with associative instrumental case (μο).

With Clement also (μετα κα Κλημεντος). There is no evidence that he was Clement of Rome as the name is common.

In the book of life (εν βιβλω ζωης). The only instance of this expression in the N.T. outside of the Apocalypse (3:5; 13:8; 17:8, etc.). Hence real Christians in spite of their bickerings.

Again I will say (παλιν ερω). Future active indicative of defective verb ειπον.

Rejoice (χαιρετε). Present active imperative as in 3:1, repeated for emphasis in spite of discouragements. Not in the sense of "Farewell" here.

Your forbearance (το επιεικες υμων). "Your gentleness," "your sweet reasonableness" (Matthew Arnold), "your moderation." Old adjective (επι, εικος) as in Jas 3:17; 1 Timothy 3:3. Article and neuter singular here= η επιεικεια (Acts 24:4; 2 Corinthians 10:1) like to χρηστον in Ro 2:4.

The Lord is at hand (ο κυριος εγγυς). "The Apostle's watchword" (Lightfoot), as in 1 Corinthians 16:22 (Μαραν αθα, Aramaic equivalent, Our Lord cometh). Unless, indeed, εγγυς here means near in space instead of

nigh in time.