Naming and shaming? Between women in Philippians 4:2-3
Loading...
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State, Faculty of Theology
Abstract
At face value, Philippians 4:2-3 may come across as Paul (the authority) talking down on Euodia and Syntyche. Παραχαλέω is often translated as "rebuke" or "plead", especially in Afrikaans translations (see 1933, 1953, 1983, 2020; Direkte vertaling, the word "vermaan" is used). According to Silva (1988:221), παραχαλέω is "an express and unquestionable rebuke, telling us a great deal about the seriousness of the Philippian problem". Naming these two women may be shaming them, since Paul refers to the "guilty" in the text. Should Philippians 4:2-3 be interpreted as violent, or is it a mere reflection of the reality of the church in Philippi? Into this dynamic, we bring the element of spatiality within the question of power dynamics, arguing that this method brings another lens onto this pericope. Space replicates power in societies. Accordingly, this article explores power dynamics and violence in Philippians 4:2-3 through the lens of spatial theory.
Description
Keywords
Euodia and Syntyche, Euodia en Sintige, Spatiality, Ruimtelikheid, Philippi, Filippi, Conflict, Konflik
Sustainable Development Goals
None
Citation
Potgieter, A., & du Plessis, J. (2025). Naming and shaming? Exploring space(s) between women in Philippians 4:2-3. Acta Theologica, 45(1), 183–198. https://doi.org/10.38140/at.v45i1.8623.