Brief Overview of συναντιλαμβάνομαι (Strong’s G4878: synantilambanomai)

Strong’s G4878: A compound verb combining σύν (with), ἀντί (over against), and λαμβάνω (to take), meaning to take hold together against, to help jointly, to assist. In NT usage, it describes both practical assistance and spiritual help, particularly the Holy Spirit’s aid in prayer.

U- Unveiling the Word

συναντιλαμβάνομαι represents a powerful concept of mutual support and divine assistance. As a compound word, it combines the ideas of togetherness, reciprocal action, and taking hold, creating a term that describes active, collaborative help. In the New Testament, it appears in two significant contexts: Martha’s request for help with service and the Holy Spirit’s assistance in our weakness. The early church understood this term as expressing both practical Christian service and divine enablement. Today, it continues to inform our understanding of mutual support in the body of the Messiah and the Holy Spirit’s role in empowering believers.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συναντιλαμβάνομαι, synantilambanomai, /soon-an-tee-lam-BAN-oh-my/
• Detailed Pronunciation: soon (as in ‘soon’) + an (as in ‘on’) + tee + lam (as in ‘lamb’) + BAN (as in ‘ban’) + oh + my (as in ‘my’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with, together”
• ἀντί (anti): prefix meaning “over against, in return”
• λαμβάνω (lambanō): root verb meaning “to take, grasp”
• -ομαι (-omai): middle voice ending indicating personal involvement

D – Defining Meanings

• To help jointly
• To assist together
• To take hold alongside
• To support mutually
• To come to the aid of

For compound words:
σύν indicates joint action, ἀντί suggests reciprocal effort, and λαμβάνω contributes the concept of taking hold, while the middle voice ending emphasizes personal involvement.

Translation Options:

1. “To help together” – Best captures the collaborative aspect
2. “To join in supporting” – Emphasizes mutual participation
3. “To assist actively” – Highlights the practical nature of the help

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀντιλαμβάνομαι (antilambanomai) /an-tee-lam-BAN-oh-my/ – to help or support individually. See G482
• βοηθέω (boētheō) /bo-ay-THEH-oh/ – to come to the aid of. See G997
• συνεργέω (synergeō) /soon-er-GEH-oh/ – to work together with. See G4903

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

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

Example morphological changes:

• Present Middle: συναντιλαμβάνομαι (I help together)
• Aorist Middle: συναντελαβόμην (I helped together)
• Present Subjunctive: συναντιλαμβάνωμαι (I might help together)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both practical and spiritual assistance. Thayer’s notes its use in describing active support. LSJ provides evidence of use in describing mutual aid. Vine’s connects it to the Holy Spirit’s ministry. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature of joint help. LEH notes its use in describing divine assistance. Moulton and Milligan find evidence of its use in describing practical aid.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

Luke 10:40: “But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help [συναντιλάβηται] me.'”

Additional References:
Romans 8:26

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συναντιλαμβάνομαι beautifully captures both human collaboration and divine assistance in the kingdom of God. The good news of King Jesus includes not only salvation but also the promise of the Holy Spirit’s help in our weakness. This word reminds us that we are neither meant to serve alone nor pray alone, but to experience both mutual support in the body of the Messiah and the Holy Spirit’s enabling presence.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears only twice in the NT but in two theologically significant contexts
2. It combines three different Greek words to create a rich picture of mutual support
3. Early church fathers used this term to describe both practical ministry and prayer support

Strong’s G4878: A compound verb combining σύν (with), ἀντί (over against), and λαμβάνω (to take), meaning to take hold together against, to help jointly, to assist. In NT usage, it describes both practical assistance and spiritual help, particularly the Holy Spirit’s aid in prayer.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: help, assistance, support, mutual aid, Holy Spirit, prayer, service, collaboration, divine help, Christian service, spiritual aid, practical support​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​