John Calvin Commentary Philippians 4:2

"I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in the Lord." — Philippians 4:2 (ASV)

I exhort Euodias and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2). It is an almost universally accepted opinion that Paul desired to settle a quarrel, of what kind I do not know, between those two women. While I am not inclined to dispute this, Paul's words do not provide sufficient grounds for such a conjecture to convince us that this was truly the case.

It appears, from the testimony he gives in their favor, that they were very excellent women, for he honors them so much as to call them fellow-soldiers in the gospel. Therefore, as their agreement was a matter of great importance, and, on the other hand, great danger would accompany their disagreement, he particularly urges them to concord.

We must note, however, that whenever he speaks of agreement, he also adds its bond—in the Lord. For every union will inevitably be cursed if it is apart from the Lord; and, on the other hand, no matter how disjoined anything may be, it ought to be reunited in Christ.