Brief Overview of συμμέτοχος (Strong’s G4830: symmetochos)

Strong’s G4830: A compound noun combining συν- (with, together) and μέτοχος (partaker, participant), meaning “joint partaker, co-participant.” Used in Ephesians to describe the inclusion of Gentiles as full participants in the promises of God through the Messiah.

U- Unveiling the Word

συμμέτοχος embodies the profound concept of shared participation and joint inheritance in God’s promises. As a compound word, it combines the ideas of togetherness (συν-) with participation (μέτοχος) to express full inclusion in God’s covenant blessings. In the New Testament, it appears in the context of Gentile inclusion into God’s family, emphasizing their equal standing with Jewish believers. The early church saw this term as crucial in understanding the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the Messiah. Today, it continues to remind us of the radical inclusivity of God’s kingdom, where all believers share equally in the inheritance and promises through King Jesus.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμμέτοχος, symmetochos, /soom-met-okh-os/
• Detailed pronunciation: soom (unstressed) – MET (stressed) – okh – os
• Part of Speech: Adjective/Noun

Etymology:

• Prefix: συν-/συμ- (syn-/sym-) meaning “with, together”
• Root word: μέτοχος (metochos) meaning “partaker, participant”
• Root verb: μετέχω (metecho) meaning “to partake, share in”
• Suffix: -ος (-os) indicating the person/thing described

D – Defining Meanings

• Joint partaker
• Co-participant
• Fellow sharer

For compound words:
The prefix συν- emphasizes joint or mutual participation
The root μέτοχος contributes the concept of sharing or partaking
Together they express complete equality in participation

Translation Options:

1. Joint partaker – Emphasizes equal participation status
2. Co-heir – Highlights the inheritance aspect in theological contexts
3. Fellow participant – Stresses the communal nature of the participation

E – Exploring Similar Words

• μέτοχος (metochos) /met-okh-os/ – simple partaker without the joint emphasis – See G3353
• συγκληρονόμος (sygkleronomos) /soong-klay-ron-om-os/ – fellow heir – See G4789
• κοινωνός (koinonos) /koy-no-nos/ – partner, sharer – See G2844

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine, Feminine
• Declension: Second declension

In English, the word would change as follows:
Nominative: joint partaker
Genitive: joint partaker’s
Dative: to/for the joint partaker
Accusative: joint partaker (as object)
Plural forms would add -s

• Cross-references include the verb συμμετέχω (to participate jointly) and the abstract noun συμμετοχή (joint participation)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in describing the equal participation of Gentiles in God’s promises. Thayer’s highlights its compound nature and significance in expressing full participation. LSJ notes its usage in contexts of shared privileges. Vine’s connects it to the broader concept of fellowship in the Messiah. Strong’s emphasizes the completeness of the joint participation. Moulton and Milligan document its use in legal documents regarding joint ownership.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

that the Gentiles should be [συμμέτοχος] fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in the Messiah through the gospel Ephesians 3:6

Additional References:
Ephesians 5:7

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συμμέτοχος powerfully expresses the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom. Through King Jesus, all believers – regardless of background – become full participants in God’s promises. This word proclaims the good news that in the Messiah, there are no second-class citizens; all are equal heirs of God’s grace and full participants in His kingdom promises.

D – Did You Know?

1. συμμέτοχος appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in Ephesians, emphasizing the letter’s theme of unity.
2. The word was used in legal documents to establish equal rights of inheritance or ownership.
3. Its usage in Ephesians represents a radical departure from contemporary Jewish-Gentile relations.

Strong’s G4830: A compound noun combining συν- (with, together) and μέτοχος (partaker, participant), meaning “joint partaker, co-participant.” Used in Ephesians to describe the inclusion of Gentiles as full participants in the promises of God through the Messiah.

Part of speech: Adjective/Noun

Tags: participation, inheritance, unity, gentile-inclusion, equality, fellowship, promises, joint-heirs, kingdom, partnership, covenant, inclusion​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​