Brief Overview of συγχαίρω (Strong’s G4796: sugchairo)

Strong’s G4796: A compound verb meaning “to rejoice together with, to share in joy.” From σύν (with) and χαίρω (to rejoice). Used in both communal celebration contexts and spiritual rejoicing, particularly in moments of divine blessing, salvation, and restoration.

U- Unveiling the Word

Συγχαίρω expresses shared joy and communal celebration, appearing in contexts ranging from the birth of John the Baptist to the parables of finding what was lost. In the New Testament, it represents both human fellowship in joy and divine celebration over redemption. The early church saw this word as particularly significant in understanding the communal nature of Christian joy and heaven’s response to salvation. Today, it reminds us that genuine Christian joy is meant to be shared and that our celebrations should reflect heaven’s rejoicing over redemption.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συγχαίρω, sugchairo, /soong-khah’-ee-ro/
• Detailed pronunciation: SOONG (as in “soon”) – KHI (as in “high”) – ro
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (sun) prefix meaning “with, together”
• χαίρω (chairo) meaning “to rejoice”
• Combined meaning: “to rejoice together with”

D – Defining Meanings

• To rejoice together
• To share in joy
• To celebrate with others

For compound words:

• σύν emphasizes shared experience
• χαίρω provides the emotional content
• Combined stresses communal celebration

Translation Options:

• “To rejoice with” – Emphasizes shared emotion
• “To celebrate together” – Stresses communal aspect
• “To share in joy” – Highlights mutual participation

E – Exploring Similar Words

• χαίρω (chairo) /khah’-ee-ro/ – to rejoice See G5463
• συνήδομαι (sunedomai) /soon-ay’-dom-ahee/ – to delight with See G4913
• ἀγαλλιάω (agalliao) /ag-al-lee-ah’-o/ – to exult See G21

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb:

• Tense: Present, Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Imperative, Infinitive
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous (Present), Punctiliar (Aorist)

Examples:

• Present Active: συγχαίρω (I rejoice with)
• Aorist Active: συνεχάρην (I rejoiced with)
• Present Imperative: συγχαίρετε (rejoice together!)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in communal celebration. Thayer’s notes both human and divine joy contexts. LSJ traces its usage in classical Greek for shared festivities. Vine’s highlights its significance in Luke’s gospel. Strong’s connects it to mutual rejoicing. LEH notes its use in the Septuagint for corporate celebration. Moulton and Milligan show its use in congratulatory letters.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Luke 1:58: “And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with [συγχαίρω] her.”

Additional References:
Luke 15:6
Luke 15:9
Philippians 2:17
Philippians 2:18
1 Corinthians 12:26
1 Corinthians 13:6

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Συγχαίρω beautifully illustrates the communal nature of Christian joy. Through this word, we see that the good news of King Jesus creates a community that shares in both earthly and heavenly celebrations, reflecting God’s own joy over redemption and restoration.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appears in all three parables of the lost being found in Luke 15
• It was commonly used in ancient congratulatory letters
• Early church liturgies used it to describe heavenly rejoicing

Strong’s G4796: A compound verb meaning “to rejoice together with, to share in joy.” From σύν (with) and χαίρω (to rejoice). Used in both communal celebration contexts and spiritual rejoicing, particularly in moments of divine blessing, salvation, and restoration.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: joy, celebration, communal-rejoicing, shared-joy, luke, parables, heavenly-joy, redemption, biblical-greek, new-testament-greek, fellowship​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​