The Early Christians of Philippi

The Whole Group

I like to imagine Epaphroditus returning from his visit with Paul to Philippi and receiving a joyous welcome-back from Lydia, the slave girl, the jailer, Euodia, Syntyche, Clement, their families and others . . . all gathered at Lydia’s house church. It is intriguing to picture them asking Epaphroditus all sorts of questions -- about his health, his trip, and about Paul -- and then reading each and every word in Paul’s letter that Epaphroditus brought with him. I see them smiling, discussing, feeling a sense of renewal. And, I like to think that the rift between Euodia and Syntyche began to dissolve. Thanks to these good and generous people, the faith was able to take root and spread further into Europe.

* Nowadays “Macedonia” can refer to one of three things: 1) a country north of Greece, also called the “Republic of Macedonia” or “The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”; 2) a region in northern Greece (which shares a border with the Republic of Macedonia); 3) a larger geographical region that spans the northern area of the Balkan Peninsula. Macedonia in the days of Paul’s travels was a Roman province that covered roughly the same area as the three current Macedonias put together.

Theresa Doyle-Nelson is the author of Saints of the Bible (Our Sunday Visitor). Her second book, More Saints of the Bible, will be in print soon. You can contact Theresa through her website at www.TheresaDoyle-Nelson.com. This article first appeared at The Catholic Exchange and is reprinted with permission.