4:3a

Yes: This particle here is used to strengthen or emphasize Paul’s request. It is not necessary to translate it with the same word you use to indicate agreement (the normal use of the English word Yes). Other English versions have used “indeed” or “moreover.”

you: The word you is singular here. This is the only time in the letter to Philippians that Paul addressed just one person.

my true: This refers to what is true or genuine. Paul was referring to a person who was not false but true to his claim of being a faithful disciple of Christ. People could depend on him.

yokefellow: The Greek word suzugos here means “fellow worker” or “partner.” There are two ways to interpret this term:

(1) It is a common noun, not a name. Paul very likely was referring to someone in the church who could help the two women agree. But Paul did not say who that person was. (Berean Standard Bible, Revised Standard Version, New International Version, NET Bible, Good News Translation, King James Version, New American Standard Bible, Revised English Bible, New Living Translation (2004), New Century Version, Contemporary English Version)

(2) It is a name. The person Paul was talking to was a member of the church at Philippi and his name was Syzygos. Paul was using both the name and its meaning, as he did with the name “Onesimus” in Philemon 11. (New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word)

Interpretation (1) has strong commentary support. Also the name Syzygos is not known elsewhere in Greek literature. So it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

to help these women: In some languages it may be necessary to say explicitly what Paul wanted this man to help the women to do. If you need to do this in your language, you could say “help these women to live in peace with each other” or “…to agree with one another.”

4:3b

who have labored with me for the gospel: Paul reminded his “yokefellow” that Euodia and Syntyche had worked hard with Paul to defend the gospel and to tell people about Christ.

who: The Greek term that the Berean Standard Bible translates as who has been understood in several ways:

(1) It introduces a reason: “for they, since they…” (Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, New Living Translation (2004))

(2) It defines the women: “[the women] who…” (Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, New American Standard Bible, King James Version)

(3) It begins a new clause that comments on the women’s work: “they [contended]…” (NET Bible, God’s Word, New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version)

The first interpretation has the strongest commentary support and is recommended (1).

labored with me: The Greek word that Berean Standard Bible translates as labored is the same word that Paul used in 1:27 (see note on 1:27c–d). It means to join someone else in a struggle to do something. It means to work hard together to overcome something.

for the gospel: This is literally “in the gospel.” You may need to supply a verb such as “spreading” or “defending.”

4:3c

along with Clement: These women were not the only people who had helped Paul to defend and spread the gospel of Christ. Clement and others had also helped Paul in this way.

Clement: This is a man’s name. We know nothing else about him except that he was a believer and a co-worker of Paul’s.

and the rest of my fellow workers: Other believers had also worked with Paul to help people know what was true about Jesus Christ.

So in 4:3, Paul mentioned three groups of people who had helped him spread the gospel: the two women (Euodia and Syntyche), Clement and the rest of his fellow workers.

4:3d

whose names are in the Book of Life: Although this may appear to relate only to the phrase “the rest of my fellow workers,” it does not exclude the other people mentioned in 4:3. The names of Euodia, Syntyche and Clement are also in the book of life.

the Book of Life: The phrase the Book of Life refers to God’s record of true believers who will live forever.

© 2002 by SIL International®
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