Brief Overview of συναποθνῄσκω (Strong’s G4880: synapothnēskō)

Strong’s G4880: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ἀποθνῄσκω (to die), meaning to die together with. In NT usage, it expresses both literal willingness to die with the Messiah and the spiritual reality of dying with Him in baptism and sanctification.

U- Unveiling the Word

συναποθνῄσκω represents a profound concept of shared death, both literal and spiritual. As a compound word, it combines togetherness with death, creating a term that describes the ultimate expression of devotion and unity with another. In the New Testament, it appears in Peter’s declaration of loyalty to Jesus and in Paul’s teachings about believers’ identification with the Messiah’s death. The early church understood this term as expressing both martyrdom readiness and the spiritual reality of dying to self. Today, it continues to inform our understanding of discipleship, baptismal identification with the Messiah’s death, and the ongoing process of dying to self.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συναποθνῄσκω, synapothnēskō, /soon-ap-oth-NAY-sko/
• Detailed Pronunciation: soon (as in ‘soon’) + ap (as in ‘up’) + oth (as in ‘both’) + NAY (as in ‘day’) + sko (as in ‘score’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with, together”
• ἀπό (apo): prefix meaning “from, away”
• θνῄσκω (thnēskō): root verb meaning “to die”

D – Defining Meanings

• To die together with
• To die alongside another
• To share in death
• To experience death jointly
• To die to self with others

For compound words:
σύν emphasizes shared experience, while ἀποθνῄσκω contributes the concept of death, creating a word that describes the ultimate shared experience.

Translation Options:

1. “To die with” – Best captures both literal and spiritual meanings
2. “To perish together” – Emphasizes the shared fate
3. “To share in death” – Highlights the participatory aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀποθνῄσκω (apothnēskō) /ap-oth-NAY-sko/ – to die individually. See G599
• συσταυρόω (systauroō) /soo-stow-RO-oh/ – to crucify with. See G4957
• νεκρόω (nekroō) /nek-RO-oh/ – to put to death, mortify. See G3499

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

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

Example morphological changes:

• Present Active: συναποθνῄσκω (I die with)
• Future Active: συναποθανοῦμαι (I will die with)
• Aorist Active: συναπέθανον (I died with)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both literal and metaphorical meanings. Thayer’s notes its use in expressing loyalty unto death. LSJ provides evidence of use in military contexts of shared fate. Vine’s connects it to identification with the Messiah’s death. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature of shared death. LEH notes its use in describing martyrdom. Moulton and Milligan find evidence of its use in describing sacrificial loyalty.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

Mark 14:31: “But he spoke more vehemently, ‘If I have to die with [συναποθανεῖν] You, I will not deny You!’ And they all said likewise.”

Additional References:
2 Corinthians 7:3, 2 Timothy 2:11

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συναποθνῄσκω powerfully illustrates the depth of Christian commitment and identification with the Messiah. The good news of King Jesus invites us not just to live for Him but to die with Him – both in the spiritual sense of dying to self and potentially in literal martyrdom. This word reminds us that following Jesus involves complete identification with His death, leading to resurrection life.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was commonly used in military contexts to describe soldiers dying with their leaders
2. Early martyrs often quoted Peter’s use of this word when facing death
3. Paul uses this term to connect baptism with participation in the Messiah’s death

Strong’s G4880: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ἀποθνῄσκω (to die), meaning to die together with. In NT usage, it expresses both literal willingness to die with the Messiah and the spiritual reality of dying with Him in baptism and sanctification.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: death, martyrdom, sacrifice, loyalty, discipleship, baptism, identification with Messiah, dying to self, spiritual death, shared death, commitment, Christian devotion​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​