The term "yokefellow" appears in the New Testament, specifically in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians. In Philippians 4:3, Paul writes, "Yes, and I ask you, true yokefellow, help these women who have labored with me in the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life" . The Greek word used here is "σύζυγος" (syzygos), which can be translated as "yokefellow," "companion," or "partner."

Context and Meaning

In the context of Philippians 4, Paul is addressing the church at Philippi, urging unity and cooperation among its members. The term "yokefellow" is used metaphorically to describe someone who shares in the labor and burden of the gospel ministry. The imagery of a yoke, a wooden beam used to pair animals together for plowing, suggests a partnership in work and purpose. This reflects the biblical principle of mutual support and shared responsibility within the Christian community.

Identity of the Yokefellow

The identity of the "true yokefellow" mentioned by Paul is not explicitly stated in the text, leading to various interpretations. Some scholars suggest that it could be a specific individual known to the Philippians, possibly a leader or elder in the church. Others propose that "yokefellow" might be a proper name, Syzygus, although this is less commonly accepted. Regardless of the specific identity, the call to assist Euodia and Syntyche, two women who have labored alongside Paul, emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and cooperation in the church.

Theological Significance

The concept of a yokefellow highlights the communal and cooperative nature of the Christian faith. It underscores the idea that believers are called to work together in harmony, supporting one another in the mission of spreading the gospel. This aligns with other New Testament teachings on the body of Christ, where each member has a role to play and is interdependent on others (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

Practical Application

In practical terms, being a yokefellow involves actively participating in the life of the church, offering support, encouragement, and assistance to fellow believers. It calls for a spirit of humility and service, recognizing that the work of the gospel is a shared endeavor. Christians are encouraged to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to strive for unity and peace within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:3).

Conclusion

While the specific identity of the "true yokefellow" in Philippians 4:3 remains uncertain, the broader message is clear: Christians are called to be yokefellows, working together in the service of the gospel. This partnership is essential for the health and growth of the church, reflecting the unity and love that Christ desires for His followers.(Philippians 4:3), one of the apostle's fellow-labourers. Some have conjectured that Epaphroditus is meant. Wyckliffe renders the phrase "the german felowe", i.e., "thee, germane [=genuine] comrade." (n.) An associate or companion in, or as in; a mate; a fellow; especially, a partner in marriage.YOKE-FELLOW

yok'-fel-o (sunzugos, "yoked together"): The word is used by Greek writers of those united by any bond, such as marriage, relationship, office, labor, study or business; hence, a yoke-fellow, consort, comrade, colleague or partner.

(1) In the New Testament it occurs once only (Philippians 4:3): "I beseech thee also, true yoke-fellow." Most interpreters hold that Paul here addresses some particular but unnamed person, who had formerly been associated with him in the work of the gospel in Philippi. Many guesses have been made in regard to the identity of the unnamed "yoke-fellow," and these names have been suggested: Luke, Lydia, Epaphroditus, each of whom had in one way or another some connection with Philippi.

(2) Renan has suggested that yoke-fellow means Lydia (Acts 16:14, 15, 40), and that she had been married to Paul. But the fact that the adjective gnesios, "true," qualifying "yoke-fellow" is masculine and not feminine shows that it is not a woman but a man who is referred to. Renan's suggestion is an unworthy one, and is quite devoid of proof. It is a mere fanciful and unsupported creation of the Frenchman's brain. Renan's idea is a modification of an opinion which is as old as Clement of Alexandria, that Paul here referred to his own wife. But this conjecture is contradicted by the statement of the apostle himself, that he had not a wife (1 Corinthians 7:8; 1 Corinthians 9:5).

(3) There is still another way of interpreting "yoke-fellow," and probably it is the right one. Some expositors take the word as a proper name. Among these Westcott and Hort print "Sunzuge," in the margin. In favor of this interpretation there is much to be said, especially the fact that the word is found in the very midst of the names of other persons. The names of Euodia and Syntyche are mentioned immediately before, and that of Clement follows immediately after the true yoke-fellow. The meaning therefore is probably, "I beseech thee also, true Synzygos," i.e. I beseech thee, who art a genuine Synzygos, a colleague rightly so called, a colleague in fact as well as in name. It is obvious to compare the way in which the apostle plays upon the name Onesimus, in Philemon 1:11.

John Rutherfurd

4805. suzugos -- a yokefellow
... a yokefellow. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: suzugos Phonetic Spelling:
(sood'-zoo-gos) Short Definition: a yoke-fellow, colleague Definition: a yoke ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4805.htm - 6k

The Life Here Spoken of is the Higher Life, that of Reason.
... How can life, in their system, the yokefellow of the Word, derive his origin
from his yokefellow? For "what was made in Him," he ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/19 the life here spoken.htm

Philippians iii. 18-21
... [666]. Ver.2, 3. "I exhort Euodia, and exhort Syntyche, to be of the same mind in
the Lord. Yea, I beseech thee also, true yokefellow, help these women.". ...
/.../homily xiii philippians iii 18-21.htm

A Sketch of the Life of S. Gregory of Nyssa.
... by death, ie of "Theosebeia, the fairest, the most lustrous even amidst such beauty
of the adelphoi; Theosebeia, the true priestess, the yokefellow and the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter i a sketch of the.htm

Yoked Service.
... Ah, the old Rhode Island farmer had found the whole simple philosophy of
the true life. Our Yokefellow is always there alongside. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/yoked service.htm

Still Another Triplet
... sends the earnest exhortation 'to be of the same mind in the Lord,' and prays one
whom we only know by his loving designation of 'a true yokefellow,' to help ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/still another triplet 2.htm

The Longbeards' Saga. AD 400
... they wear it. Give them the victory, First have they greeted thee; Give
them the victory, Yokefellow mine! Maidens and wives are ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the longbeards saga a d 400.htm

A Strain of Sodom.
... come, Lot! arise,. And take thy yokefellow and daughters twain,. 120 And hence,
beyond the boundaries be gone,. Preventing [1228] Sodom's penalties!" And eke. ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/2 a strain of sodom.htm

Ordination and Duties of the Clergy.
... But if she has lately lost her yokefellow, let her not be believed, but let her
youth be judged of by the time; for the affections do sometimes grow aged with ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii ordination and duties of.htm

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians
... Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, are exhorted to be "of the same mind." A true
yokefellow of the apostle, possibly Epaphroditus, and a certain Clement, possibly ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xvi the epistle of.htm

On Admonition and Repentance.
... Count thyself rebuked first of all by the beasts and birds, how that every kind
cleaves to its kind; and so agree thou with thy yokefellow. ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/on admonition and repentance.htm

Yokefellow

/y/yokefellow.htm - 9k

Euodia (1 Occurrence)
... 4. The True Yokefellow: Paul proceeds to ask a certain person, unnamed, but whom
he terms "true yokefellow" to assist them, that is, to assist Euodia and ...
/e/euodia.htm - 10k

Syntyche (1 Occurrence)
... to one another, to be "of the same mind in the Lord." The apostle also entreats
an unnamed Christian at Philippi, whom he terms "true yokefellow," to "help ...
/s/syntyche.htm - 8k

Yoked (10 Occurrences)

/y/yoked.htm - 9k

Yoke-fellow (1 Occurrence)
Yoke-fellow. Yokefellow, Yoke-fellow. Yokes . Easton's Bible Dictionary ... (WEY
WBS YLT). Yokefellow, Yoke-fellow. Yokes . Reference Bible.
/y/yoke-fellow.htm - 9k

Fellow (166 Occurrences)
... Fellow-citizen, Fellow-disciple, Fellow-heirs, Yokefellow, etc. In composition,
"fellow" always means partner or companion. WL Walker. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/fellow.htm - 42k

Labored (35 Occurrences)
... Philippians 4:3 Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they
labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow ...
/l/labored.htm - 17k

Labourers (11 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Philippians 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women
which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my ...
/l/labourers.htm - 9k

Loyal (15 Occurrences)
... Philippians 4:3 Yes, I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they
labored with me in the Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow ...
/l/loyal.htm - 11k

What is a yokefellow in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Topical: Biblical Culture ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Topical: Analogies ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Yokefellow: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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