Dealing with conflict at Philippi

The city of Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia, which was named after Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great. It was located on an important trade route between Europe and Asia, which was the main route between Italy and the Middle East. The Egnatian Way was a Roman military highway from the Adriatic Sea (near Italy) to Byzantium (now Istanbul, near the Black Sea). It went 1120 km (696 miles) from modern Albania to modern Turkey.

Paul travelled along The Egnatian Way when he visited Neapolis (now Kavala, Greece), Philippi, and Thessalonica (Acts 16-17). He visited Philippi three times – on his second (once) and third (twice) missionary journeys.

Salvation comes

Philippi was the first European city to be visited by a Christian missionary. On his second missionary journey, Paul led to Christ a number of people who formed the church there (Acts 16:14-34). Some of these were Lydia and her family and the Philippian jailer and his family. Both Lydia and the jailer were hospitable to Paul and Silas.

Paul imprisoned

After Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl, he and Silas were flogged and imprisoned in stocks. Then at “about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25NIV). That’s amazing, they were singing hymns to God at about midnight! Their circumstances didn’t reduce their trust in God. Then there was an earthquake and the jailer thought all the prisoners had escaped. But after Paul assured him that they were all there, the jailer and his family believed that Jesus Christ died for their sins.

This incident illustrates God’s sovereign care over those who do His will (Rom. 8:28).

People in the church

We know the names of more women (Lydia, Euodia, and Syntyche) at the church in Philippi than men (Epaphroditus). Lydia was hospitable, she said, “come and stay at my house” (Acts 16:15) and the church may have met in her house (Acts 16:40).

Epaphroditus took gifts from the church in Philippi to Paul imprisoned in Rome (Phil. 4:18). After Epaphroditus recovered from a serious illness, Paul sent him back to Philippi (Phil. 2:25-30). Paul wrote, “He almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me”. Paul called him a “co-worker and fellow soldier”.

When Paul was in Philippi, Euodia and Syntyche worked hard together as a team to spread the gospel in Macedonia (Phil. 4:2-3). But now they were no longer a team – they were having a disagreement (Phil. 4:2). Their names occur in the Bible because they were troublemakers! They needed to change their attitudes.

Letter to the church

Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi in about AD 62 is a missionary thank-you letter. The church at Philippi was one of the most generous in financial support (Phil. 4:10-16). Paul presented them as a model of giving (2 Cor. 8:1-5) and thanked them for their gift (Phil. 1:5; 4:10-19).

Although the letter was written from house arrest in Rome, the theme of joy is mentioned 17 times in some form. It urges them to imitate Christ, imitate Paul and have unity.

Imitate Christ

They were encouraged to follow the humility of Christ (2:1-11). The application of this plea was to resolve the conflict within the church (2:12-18). They needed to be delivered from division, pride, and selfishness (v.12). This would enable them to “do everything without grumbling or arguing” (v.14). God would enable them to resolve conflict. There are some things we learn to leave in the hands of God via prayer. And Timothy and Epaphroditus were living examples of this selflessness (v.19-30).

Imitate Paul

They were also encouraged to follow Paul’s example (3:4-14). Paul’s ambition was to know Jesus Christ better (v.10) and he was always preparing to meet the Lord in heaven (v.14). The application of this example was to be God-centered and not self-centered (3:15 – 4:1). While living on earth, Christians’ ultimate allegiance and hope lie with Christ.

Unity

Euodia and Syntyche had a disagreement that was destroying the unity of the local church (4:2-3). They were both told to change their attitude to godly attitudes. The application of this plea was to rejoice in the Lord (which leads toward harmony) and pray (4:4-9). Christian joy is independent of circumstance, and it dispels antagonism among believers. And prayer leads to peace with God.

Key verses

When facing danger and uncertainty, Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). Living for Christ was his ambition. And the prospect of death was the beginning of an even greater life “with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8).

With regard to Christ’s example of humility, Paul said, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus ….” (Phil. 2:5). This was a sacrificial and selfless attitude.

When Paul was dealing with disunity in the local church he wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Phil. 4:4). No one can rob us of the Lord; therefore, no one can rob us of our joy. Inner joy contributes to good relationships with other people.

Main point

Even in suffering and difficulty, believers can experience joy and unity by focusing on Christ, imitating His humility, and partnering together in the gospel.

Lessons for us

From events that occurred at Philippi we see that Lydia is a good example of hospitality and Epaphroditus is a good example of dedicated Christian service.

God cares for those who serve Him, like He cared for Paul and Silas (despite hostility in Philippi).

And dealing with conflict requires humility and God-centeredness.

Written, May 2026