Creation’s Cry: συνωδίνω (Strong’s G4944: synōdinō) Reveals Redemption’s Birth

Strong’s G4944: A compound verb joining σύν (with) and ὠδίνω (to travail), meaning “to suffer birth pains together.” Used in Romans to describe creation’s collective groaning, anticipating redemption through the Messiah’s work.

U- Unveiling the Word

συνωδίνω powerfully captures the shared experience of creation’s painful longing for redemption. As a compound word, it combines σύν (with, together) and ὠδίνω (to experience birth pains), creating a vivid image of collective travail. In Romans, Paul uses it to describe how all creation groans together, awaiting liberation from corruption. The early church saw this word as expressing the universal impact of sin and the cosmic scope of redemption. Today, it reminds us that salvation in the Messiah extends beyond humanity to all creation.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συνωδίνω, synōdinō, soon-oh-DEE-no
• Pronunciation Guide: ‘soon’ as in ‘soon’, ‘oh’ as in ‘go’, ‘dee’ as in ‘deed’, ‘no’ as in ‘no’
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn) – prefix meaning “with” or “together”
• ὠδίνω (ōdinō) – root verb meaning “to experience birth pains”
• The prefix σύν emphasizes collective experience
• The root ὠδίνω indicates painful labor toward new life

D – Defining Meanings

• To suffer birth pains together
• To groan collectively
• To travail in unity
• To experience shared anguish
• To labor together toward birth

For compound words:
σύν adds the concept of shared experience to ὠδίνω’s basic meaning of birth pains, creating a word that emphasizes collective suffering toward new life.

Translation Options:

1. “To travail together” – Best captures both pain and purpose
2. “To groan collectively” – Emphasizes shared experience
3. “To suffer birth pangs together” – Most literal translation

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ὠδίνω (ōdinō, oh-DEE-no) – to travail in birth – See G5605
• στενάζω (stenazō, sten-AD-zo) – to groan – See G4727
• συστενάζω (systenazō, soo-sten-AD-zo) – to groan together – See G4959

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, συνωδίνω exhibits these features:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative
• Person: Third
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Imperfective (Present)

The word would morph in English as follows:

• Present: I travail together, you travail together, he/she/it travails together
• Past: I travailed together, you travailed together, he/she/it travailed together
• Perfect: I have travailed together, you have travailed together, he/she/it has travailed together

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes συνωδίνω’s use in describing creation’s collective suffering. Thayer’s notes its unique application to universal groaning. LSJ documents usage in contexts of shared pain. Vine’s connects it to birth imagery. Strong’s highlights the compound nature suggesting unified experience. LEH traces similar concepts in prophetic literature. Moulton and Milligan find it rare but significant in religious contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
For we know that the whole creation [συνωδίνω] groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. Romans 8:22

Additional References:
None – This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συνωδίνω powerfully illustrates how all creation participates in the story of redemption. Through this word, we see that the Messiah’s work extends beyond human salvation to cosmic restoration. It reminds us that our hope in Jesus includes the renewal of all things, as creation itself awaits His glorious return.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was used in ancient midwifery texts describing communal birthing practices
2. Early church fathers used it to describe the church’s role in creation’s redemption
3. It appears in ancient agricultural texts describing synchronized animal birthing

Strong’s G4944: A compound verb joining σύν (with) and ὠδίνω (to travail), meaning “to suffer birth pains together.” Used in Romans to describe creation’s collective groaning, anticipating redemption through the Messiah’s work.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: creation, redemption, suffering, birth-pangs, hope, renewal, Paul, Romans, cosmic restoration, new creation​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​