The Practice of Unity (Philippians 1:27-2:4)

Now we come to the main purpose for which this letter to the Philippians was written. It concerns the unity of the church there at Philippi. Someone suggests that the key to this letter is really found in the fourth chapter. You find the key at the back door rather than the front door. It is found in the mention of two women who are odds with one another and threatening the unity and peace of the church. The strife was evidently growing so strong as to threaten the development of the church. The names of the two women were not "Odious" and "Soon-touchy", as we often hear, though that may be suggestive of what the trouble was. They were Euodia and Syntyche.