I urge (exhort, encourage) Evodia [whose name means "safe journey"] and I urge (exhort, encourage) Syntyche [whose name means "pleasant acquaintance"] to be of the same mind (be of one accord; to agree) in the Lord.
[These two women, along with Lydia, were probably part of the group of women who were present when Paul first came to Philippi, see . The Greek word for exhort (parakaleo – to appeal to someone, to call close) is used twice in this verse, once after each name, making Paul's appeal individual. The conflict was not about doctrine or faith (they were both written in the book of life, see ). If they could not resolve the conflict themselves, Paul now urges a third party, probably one of the leaders of the church, to mediate. See also .]
