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How Every Conflict Can Be Solved…

Church/Assembly

5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

– Philippians 2:5
(NASB® © 2020)

There are tensions in the still-young church/assembly in Philippi. Two squabblers – Euodias and Syntyche – are at loggerheads.

Pastor Paul writes a letter in which he also deals with this situation. How does he proceed? Surely, he would address the reason for the conflict, listen to both sides, weigh up the arguments, and propose a pragmatic solution that is acceptable to everyone, right? No, not at all. Surprisingly, none of that.

He starts by giving some pointers on how living together as brothers and sisters should generally be organized: “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4).

And then the key of how this can be possible: The highlight of Paul’s letter to the Philippians may well be the verses that follow, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5), upon which Paul presents the infinitely deep humility of the Lord Jesus.

Does Paul possibly want to pass on the following? This one: Whatever conflict there is, whatever disputes arise, whatever bitterness eats into the community, the only solution is: humility. If both parties to the conflict take the lower road and respect the other more highly, this takes the wind out of the sails of any dispute.

A very interesting approach by Paul. But if we think about it seriously, we have to realize: Without this attitude of heart, conflicts can never be resolved. Whether Euodias and Syntyche almost 2000 years ago or us today – we need the humility of Christ to be able to be at peace and to love one another and to resolve (possibly old) disputes.

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