Growing up, I absorbed the idea that in the church, women came after men. So when I read about Euodia and Syntyche, I assumed Paul was telling two quarrelsome women to stop it. I had to see many women honored as leaders to notice what Paul was doing. Paul names these women. In a patriarchal culture, it's significant that they are named. It's not surprising to hear about Epaphroditus and Clement, but it is remarkable to learn about Euodia and Syntyche. He also takes the time to 'parakaleo', or plead, with each of them. He could have commanded them, but instead he respectfully asks them to come alongside him, and help him by resolving their conflict. And he entreats both of them on their own, giving them equal attention. In an honor-shame culture, Paul calls them coworkers. It's the same status he gives to Timothy, Priscilla, Aquila, Titus, and himself (Romans 16:3, 21, 1 Cor 3:9, 2 Cor 8:23). These women are dear friends who served side-by-side with him in preaching the gospel. He has no hesitation in using athletic, even martial terminology to describe their labors. The fourth-century preacher John Chrysostom noted that Paul affirms these women the same way Jesus affirmed his apostles (Luke 10:20). If Jesus wrote their names in the book of life, then Paul can ask them to be of one mind. These women are important enough to Paul that he asks another friend for a favor. Whoever the 'true companion' might be, Paul asks this person to serve as a mediator. As anyone who has attempted to end a conflict knows, this is a costly request. We don't know why these two women were at odds. But we do know that Paul knew they trusted him enough that he could single them out in this letter to the church where they served, and believe this gentle encouragement to be unified would serve its purpose. These women cannot be marginal to the community; their influence must be significant enough that their conflict risks rupturing the church's unity. I once asked some church leaders to help me reconcile with another leader in the church. They listened empathetically, but nothing ever came of it. Perhaps the other leader held too much influence, or I didn't have enough, for it to be worth the effort to repair the relationship. But Euodia and Syntyche are both too important for their conflict to continue. Paul remembers serving alongside them. He cannot let their friendship end. For the sake of Christ, he pleads, be friends again.