Brief Overview of συμπάσχω (Strong’s G4841: sympascho)

Strong’s G4841: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and πάσχω (to suffer), meaning “to suffer together with, to share in suffering.” Used theologically to describe believers’ participation in the Messiah’s sufferings and their shared experiences of persecution and trials.

U- Unveiling the Word

συμπάσχω embodies the profound concept of shared suffering in the Christian life. As a compound word, it combines togetherness (συν-) with suffering (πάσχω) to express deep identification with both the Messiah’s sufferings and the trials of fellow believers. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts describing both our participation in the Messiah’s sufferings and the mutual sharing of hardships within the body of believers. The early church saw this term as fundamental to Christian identity and community, understanding that suffering with the Messiah and His people was an integral part of discipleship. Today, it continues to remind us that Christian suffering is neither solitary nor meaningless but is shared with both the Messiah and His body.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμπάσχω, sympascho, /soom-pas-kho/
• Detailed pronunciation: soom (unstressed) – PAS (stressed) – kho
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Prefix: συν-/συμ- (syn-/sym-) meaning “with, together”
• Root word: πάσχω (pascho) meaning “to suffer, experience”
• Related to noun πάθος (pathos) meaning “suffering”
• Base meaning: “to suffer together”

D – Defining Meanings

• To suffer together with
• To share in affliction
• To experience hardship jointly

For compound words:
The prefix συν- indicates shared experience
The root πάσχω contributes the concept of suffering
Together they express mutual participation in suffering

Translation Options:

1. To suffer with – Most direct translation
2. To share in suffering – Emphasizes the participatory aspect
3. To experience affliction together – Stresses the communal nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πάσχω (pascho) /pas-kho/ – to suffer – See G3958
• συμπαθέω (sympatheo) /soom-path-eh-o/ – to sympathize – See G4834
• κακοπαθέω (kakopatheo) /kak-op-ath-eh-o/ – to suffer hardship – See G2553

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous (Present), Punctiliar (Aorist)

Example English morphing:
Present: suffer with
Future: will suffer with
Past: suffered with
Participle: suffering with

• Cross-references include the noun συμπάθεια (sympathy) and πάθημα (suffering)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its theological significance in relation to the Messiah’s sufferings. Thayer’s highlights both its Messianic and communal aspects. LSJ notes its use in contexts of shared hardship. Vine’s connects it to the believer’s union with the Messiah. Strong’s emphasizes the completeness of the shared suffering. Moulton and Milligan document its use in describing solidarity in trials.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with the Messiah, if indeed we [συμπάσχω] suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. Romans 8:17

Additional References:
1 Corinthians 12:26

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συμπάσχω powerfully expresses our union with the Messiah and His body in suffering. It proclaims the good news that our sufferings are not meaningless but are shared with King Jesus Himself and His people. This word reminds us that in our trials, we are never alone but are participating in the Messiah’s sufferings and sharing in the fellowship of His body.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word appears at crucial points discussing both union with the Messiah and church unity.
2. Early martyrs saw their sufferings as a direct participation in the Messiah’s passion through this concept.
3. The term influenced early Christian understanding of the church as a suffering yet unified body.

Strong’s G4841: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and πάσχω (to suffer), meaning “to suffer together with, to share in suffering.” Used theologically to describe believers’ participation in the Messiah’s sufferings and their shared experiences of persecution and trials.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: suffering, persecution, union-with-christ, fellowship, trials, martyrdom, solidarity, church-unity, affliction, shared-experience, discipleship, body-of-christ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​