We Loved to be Included: An Afro-Feminist Reading of Philippians 4:2-3 in the Context of Female Leadership

Abstract

Philippians 4:2-3, when interpreted literally, could pose a serious threat to the cause of women's inclusion in leadership, especially in a society where patriarchy still holds sway. This is due to its purported teaching on the conflict between Euodia and Syntyche, which seems to overshadow their prominent leadership roles. This study re-reads Phil. 4:2-3 in the light of female leadership within African ecclesial settings, where selective interpretations of some biblical texts are employed to justify women’s exclusion from church leadership. Drawing on an Afro-feminist lens, particularly feminist cultural hermeneutics by Kanyoro (2002), we argue that Phil. 4:2-3 goes beyond a mere conflict resolution narrative to: 1) embody a theology of women's empowerment that validates women’s leadership capacity, and 2) demonstrate that effective ministry comes through collaborative leadership rather than gender exclusion. Such a reading challenges patriarchal perceptions of women's capabilities. It also contributes to scholarly discussions on SDG 5.