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Syntyche

Συντύχη/SIN-tih-kee/

“Fortunate”

Summary

A Christian woman in the church at Philippi whom Paul urged to be reconciled with her fellow believer Euodia.

☩Identity and Conflict

Syntyche was a female member of the church at Philippi mentioned along with another woman named Euodia. Paul's injunction to these two women was that they should 'be of the same mind in the Lord,' from which we infer they had fallen into some kind of disagreement. The apostle besought them separately and with great earnestness, recognizing that such discord among prominent believers could harm the church.

Key verses:Philippians 4:2-3

☩Service and Ministry

Both women had rendered significant service to the cause of the gospel in Philippi. Paul describes them as having 'labored with me in the gospel'—a term signifying that they 'joined with me in my struggle.' This probably refers to the critical times of danger and suffering which Paul and his companions encountered when they first brought the gospel to Philippi. They may have served as deaconesses or held other prominent positions in the church.

Key verses:Philippians 4:3

☩Significance

This passage illustrates what the Gospel accomplished for women and what women contributed to the early church. Philippi was the first church Paul founded in Europe, and its first convert was Lydia. Some have speculated that one of these women may have been Lydia herself, since 'Lydia' could be a geographical designation meaning 'the Lydian woman' rather than a personal name.

Key verses:Acts 16:12-15

Related Verses1 mention

Philippians· 1 verse

4:2

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Syntyche," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.James Orr (ed.), "Syntyche," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  3. 3.James Orr (ed.), "Syntyche," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  4. 4.James Orr (ed.), "Syntyche," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  5. 5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Syntyche," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  6. 6.John McClintock and James Strong, "Syntyche," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  7. 7.James Hastings (ed.), "Syntyche," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).