Divine Union: συσταυρόω (Strong’s G4957: sustauroó) Reveals Our Death With Messiah

Strong’s G4957: From sun (with) and stauroó (to crucify), συσταυρόω represents the profound theological concept of being crucified together with the Messiah. This compound verb emphasizes the believer’s complete identification with His death, marking the end of the old life.

U- Unveiling the Word

συσταυρόω powerfully expresses the believer’s mystical union with the Messiah in His crucifixion. As a compound word, it combines the concept of “together with” (σύν) and “crucifixion” (σταυρόω), creating a profound theological truth central to Christian identity. In the New Testament, it appears both in historical contexts describing literal co-crucifixion and in Paul’s theological exposition of the believer’s spiritual identification with the Messiah’s death. The early church fathers extensively used this term to explain the transformative nature of Christian conversion and baptism. Today, it continues to express the radical nature of Christian discipleship and our complete identification with the Messiah’s death.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συσταυρόω, sustauroó, /sü-stou-ro’-ō/
• Pronunciation Guide: “soo-stow-ROH-oh” (stress on third syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn) – prefix meaning “with” or “together”
• σταυρόω (stauroó) – verb meaning “to crucify”
• -ω (-ō) – first person singular present active indicative ending

D – Defining Meanings

• To crucify together with
• To be crucified with another
• To die with Messiah spiritually

For compound words:
σύν (with) combines with σταυρόω (to crucify) to express joint crucifixion, whether literal or spiritual, emphasizing complete identification with the one crucified.

Translation Options:

• “To be crucified with” – Best captures both literal and spiritual aspects
• “To die with” – Emphasizes the spiritual identification aspect
• “To be co-crucified” – Highlights the unified nature of the action

E – Exploring Similar Words

• σταυρόω (stauroó) /stou-ro’-ō/ – to crucify – See G4717
• συνθάπτω (synthaptó) /sün-tha’p-tō/ – to bury with – See G4916
• συναποθνήσκω (synapothnéskó) /sün-ä-po-thnā’-skō/ – to die with – See G4880

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, συσταυρόω exhibits:

• Tense: Present, Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Perfective, Imperfective

For example:

• συσταυροῦμαι – Present passive indicative (I am being crucified with)
• συνεσταυρώθην – Aorist passive indicative (I was crucified with)
• συνεσταυρωμένος – Perfect passive participle (having been crucified with)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes both the literal and figurative meanings, particularly in Pauline theology. Thayer’s highlights the compound nature of the word and its spiritual significance. LSJ notes its rare usage outside biblical literature. Vine’s connects it to the believer’s identification with the Messiah. Strong’s emphasizes the completeness of the action. Moulton and Milligan note its distinctive Christian usage compared to secular Greek.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Matthew 27:44: “In the same way the rebels who were crucified [συσταυρόω] with Him also heaped insults on Him.”

Additional References:

• Mark 15:32
• John 19:32
• Romans 6:6
• Galatians 2:20

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συσταυρόω encapsulates the radical nature of Christian discipleship – complete identification with the Messiah’s death. This word proclaims the good news that through our co-crucifixion with Him, we die to sin and self, enabling us to live in the power of His resurrection. It’s not just about remembering His death, but experiencing its transformative power in our lives.

D – Did You Know?

• συσταυρόω appears in both historical narratives of the crucifixion and theological teachings about Christian identity
• The word influenced early Christian baptismal practices and symbolism
• Paul’s use of συσταυρόω in Galatians 2:20 became a foundational text for Christian mysticism

Strong’s G4957: From sun (with) and stauroó (to crucify), συσταυρόω represents the profound theological concept of being crucified together with the Messiah. This compound verb emphasizes the believer’s complete identification with His death, marking the end of the old life.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: crucifixion, union with Messiah, death to self, spiritual transformation, baptism, discipleship, Paul’s theology, Christian identity, resurrection power, salvation​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​