Brief Overview of συναθλέω (Strong’s G4866: sunathleō)

Strong’s G4866: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ἀθλέω (to compete, wrestle), meaning to strive together as athletes, to contend alongside others. In NT usage, it metaphorically describes Christians laboring together for the faith, emphasizing unified effort in spiritual contests.

U- Unveiling the Word

συναθλέω draws from the world of athletic competition to illustrate spiritual truth. As a compound word, it combines the concept of togetherness with athletic contest, creating a powerful image of believers striving side by side as teammates in a spiritual competition. In the New Testament, Paul uses this athletic metaphor to emphasize the cooperative nature of Christian ministry and the mutual support needed in defending and promoting the gospel. The early church understood this term as a call to unity in spiritual endeavors, seeing themselves as spiritual athletes training and competing together. Today, it continues to remind us that the Christian life is both a team sport and a spiritual contest requiring mutual support, shared effort, and unified purpose.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συναθλέω, sunathleō, /soon-ath-LEH-oh/
• Detailed Pronunciation: soon (as in ‘soon’) + ath (as in ‘path’) + LEH (as in ‘lay’) + oh (as in ‘go’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with, together”
• ἀθλέω (athleō): root verb meaning “to compete as an athlete, to contend for a prize”
• The root ἆθλος (athlos) means “contest” or “feat”

D – Defining Meanings

• To strive together as athletes
• To cooperate vigorously
• To contend alongside others
• To labor together toward a common goal
• To fight together in spiritual battle

For compound words:
σύν emphasizes joint participation, while ἀθλέω contributes the concept of athletic struggle or contest, creating a word that describes coordinated effort in challenging circumstances.

Translation Options:

1. “To contend together” – Best captures both athletic and cooperative aspects
2. “To struggle alongside” – Emphasizes partnership in difficulty
3. “To strive as teammates” – Highlights the athletic team metaphor

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀθλέω (athleō) /ath-LEH-oh/ – to compete or struggle individually. See G118
• συναγωνίζομαι (sunagōnizomai) /soon-ag-oh-NEE-zoh-my/ – to strive together in general. See G4865
• συνεργέω (synergeō) /soon-er-GEH-oh/ – to work together. See G4903

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

• Tense: Present, Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Imperfective (present), Perfective (aorist)

Example morphological changes:

• Present Active: συναθλέω (I contend together)
• Aorist Active: συνήθλησα (I contended together)
• Present Active Participle: συναθλοῦντες (contending together)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the athletic metaphor and its application to spiritual struggle. Thayer’s highlights the cooperative aspect in defending the faith. LSJ provides evidence of use in athletic contexts and military alliances. Vine’s connects it to the concept of Christian fellowship in adversity. Strong’s emphasizes the intensified meaning through the compound form. LEH notes its rare usage in religious contexts. Moulton and Milligan find evidence of its use in describing civic cooperation.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

Philippians 1:27: “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of the Messiah, that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together [συναθλοῦντες] for the faith of the gospel.”

Additional References:
Philippians 4:3

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συναθλέω beautifully illustrates the cooperative nature of Christian faith and ministry. Through this athletic metaphor, we see that following King Jesus is not a solo sport but a team effort requiring mutual support and unified purpose. The good news is that we’re not called to strive alone – Jesus has given us fellow believers to train with, struggle alongside, and support in the great contest of faith. This word encourages us to see ourselves as spiritual athletes on the same team, working together for the gospel’s advance.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in Philippians
2. Ancient Greek athletic training often involved pairs of athletes training together
3. Early Christian writers used this term to describe martyrs encouraging each other

Strong’s G4866: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ἀθλέω (to compete, wrestle), meaning to strive together as athletes, to contend alongside others. In NT usage, it metaphorically describes Christians laboring together for the faith, emphasizing unified effort in spiritual contests.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: athletics, teamwork, struggle, unity, competition, spiritual warfare, cooperation, contest, faith, partnership, Christian fellowship, spiritual athletics​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​