Brief Overview of συμφωνέω (Strong’s G4856: symphoneo)

Strong’s G4856: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and φωνή (sound, voice), meaning “to harmonize, agree together.” Used in spiritual contexts to describe unity in prayer and purpose among believers, as well as in practical contexts for reaching agreements and making arrangements.

U- Unveiling the Word

συμφωνέω represents the concept of harmonious agreement and unity. As a compound word, it combines togetherness (συν-) with sound/voice (φωνή) to express agreement that resonates like musical harmony. In the New Testament, it appears in both spiritual contexts regarding unified prayer and practical contexts of making agreements. The early church saw this term as significant for understanding both spiritual unity in prayer and proper conduct in agreements. Today, it continues to inform our understanding of Christian unity and ethical business practices.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμφωνέω, symphoneo, /soom-fo-neh-o/
• Detailed pronunciation: soom (unstressed) – FO (stressed) – neh – o
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Prefix: συν-/συμ- (syn-/sym-) meaning “with, together”
• Root word: φωνή (phone) meaning “sound, voice”
• Verbal suffix: -έω (-eo) indicating continuous action
• Base meaning: “to sound together”

D – Defining Meanings

• To agree together
• To harmonize
• To make an arrangement with

For compound words:
The prefix συν- indicates joint action
The root φωνή contributes the concept of unified sound
Together they express harmonious agreement

Translation Options:

1. To agree with – Most common translation
2. To be in harmony – Emphasizes unity aspect
3. To come to terms – Stresses practical agreements

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ὁμολογέω (homologeo) /hom-ol-og-eh-o/ – to confess, agree – See G3670
• συναινέω (synaino) /soon-ay-neh-o/ – to consent – See G4852
• συγκατατίθημι (synkatatithemai) /soong-kat-at-ith-em-ahee/ – to agree with – See G4784

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

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

Example English morphing:
Present: agree
Future: will agree
Past: agreed
Participle: agreeing

• Cross-references include the noun συμφώνησις (agreement) and συμφωνία (harmony)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both spiritual and practical applications. Thayer’s highlights the harmony aspect. LSJ notes its use in musical contexts. Vine’s connects it to unity in prayer. Strong’s emphasizes the completeness of agreement. Moulton and Milligan document its use in business contracts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

Again I say to you that if two of you [συμφωνέω] agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19

Additional References:
Matthew 20:2, Luke 5:36, Acts 5:9, Acts 15:15

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συμφωνέω beautifully captures both the spiritual and practical dimensions of Christian unity. It proclaims the good news that King Jesus brings His people into harmony with both God and each other. This word reminds us that true spiritual unity manifests in both prayer and practical arrangements.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word gives us our English word “symphony,” emphasizing harmonious unity.
2. It appears in contexts ranging from prayer to business agreements.
3. Early church writers saw it as expressing both divine-human and human-human harmony.

Strong’s G4856: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and φωνή (sound, voice), meaning “to harmonize, agree together.” Used in spiritual contexts to describe unity in prayer and purpose among believers, as well as in practical contexts for reaching agreements and making arrangements.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: agreement, harmony, unity, prayer, contracts, business-ethics, spiritual-unity, consensus, accord, cooperation, musical-metaphor, joint-purpose​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​