Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philippians 4:3

"Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers, whose names are in the book of life." — Philippians 4:3 (ASV)

At this point Paul seeks to enlist the aid of a third party, “yokefellow” (likely a proper name, “Syzygus”; GK 5187; see NIV note), whom he challenges to live up to his name and bring these women together. (Another Pauline play on a personal name occurs in Phm 10–11.) Inasmuch as Euodia and Syntyche had once worked side by side with Paul, they should be able to do so again. Perhaps they had been among the original group of converts at Philippi, for women had been Paul’s first hearers there (Acts 16:13–15). Their Christian labors had been in conjunction with Clement and others of Paul’s coworkers. Even though some of these names are not recorded in this letter, Paul knows that their service has not been forgotten, for their names are recorded in the Book of Life, the heavenly register of those who are saved (Revelation 3:5; Revelation 17:8; 20:12, 15; Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:19; cf. Lk 10:20; Hebrews 12:23). Paul’s memory of these happy associations prompted his concern that the present disunity might be ended so that faithful Christian activity could proceed and prosper.