Brief Overview of συμπορεύομαι (Strong’s G4848: symporeuomai)

Strong’s G4848: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and πορεύομαι (to journey), meaning “to journey together with, to travel in company with.” Used to describe shared journeys, particularly emphasizing the communal aspect of following the Messiah and learning from Him along the way.

U- Unveiling the Word

συμπορεύομαι represents the profound concept of journeying together in faith. As a compound word, it combines togetherness (συν-) with journeying (πορεύομαι) to express shared spiritual pilgrimage. In the New Testament, it appears in contexts where people travel with the Messiah or gather to Him, emphasizing the communal nature of discipleship. The early church understood this term as significant for describing the Christian life as a shared journey with both the Messiah and fellow believers. Today, it continues to remind us that following Jesus is not a solitary path but a communal journey of faith.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμπορεύομαι, symporeuomai, /soom-por-yoo-om-ahee/
• Detailed pronunciation: soom (unstressed) – por (stressed) – YOO – om – ahee
• Part of Speech: Verb (Deponent)

Etymology:

• Prefix: συν-/συμ- (syn-/sym-) meaning “with, together”
• Root word: πορεύομαι (poreuomai) meaning “to journey, travel”
• From πόρος (poros) meaning “passage, way”
• Deponent middle/passive form

D – Defining Meanings

• To journey together
• To travel in company with
• To gather together toward

For compound words:
The prefix συν- indicates shared action
The root πορεύομαι contributes the concept of journeying
Together they express communal travel or gathering

Translation Options:

1. To journey together – Emphasizes the shared travel aspect
2. To gather with – Highlights the coming together aspect
3. To accompany on the way – Stresses the companionship aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πορεύομαι (poreuomai) /por-yoo-om-ahee/ – to journey – See G4198
• συνέρχομαι (sunerchomai) /soon-er-khom-ahee/ – to come together – See G4905
• ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheo) /ak-ol-oo-theh-o/ – to follow – See G190

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• Tense: Present, Imperfect, Aorist
• Voice: Middle/Passive (Deponent)
• Mood: Indicative, Participle, Infinitive
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous (Present), Progressive (Imperfect)

Example English morphing:
Present: journey together
Past: journeyed together
Future: will journey together
Participle: journeying together

• Cross-references include the noun συμπορεία (joint journey) and πορεία (journey)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in describing communal movement toward a destination. Thayer’s highlights both physical and spiritual aspects of journeying together. LSJ notes its common use in travel narratives. Vine’s connects it to discipleship themes. Strong’s emphasizes the togetherness aspect. Moulton and Milligan document its use in travel accounts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes [συμπορεύομαι] gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again. Mark 10:1

Additional References:
Luke 7:11, Luke 14:25, Luke 24:15

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συμπορεύομαι beautifully captures the communal nature of following King Jesus. It proclaims the good news that we’re not meant to walk alone but to journey together with the Messiah and His people. This word reminds us that discipleship is a shared pilgrimage where we learn from Him and support one another along the way.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word appears in significant moments of Jesus’ ministry, including the road to Emmaus.
2. It was used to describe both physical travel and spiritual pilgrimage in early Christian writings.
3. The term influenced early Christian understanding of the church as a pilgrim community.

Strong’s G4848: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and πορεύομαι (to journey), meaning “to journey together with, to travel in company with.” Used to describe shared journeys, particularly emphasizing the communal aspect of following the Messiah and learning from Him along the way.

Part of speech: Verb (Deponent)

Tags: journey, discipleship, fellowship, following-jesus, pilgrimage, community, walking-together, spiritual-journey, gathering, companionship, travel, accompaniment​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​