Brief Overview of συγκακουχέομαι (Strong’s G4778: sugkakoucheomai)

Strong’s G4778: A compound verb meaning “to suffer ill-treatment together with.” From σύν (with) and κακουχέω (to treat badly). Used specifically in Hebrews to describe Moses’ choice to share in the afflictions of God’s people rather than enjoy temporary pleasures of sin.

U- Unveiling the Word

Συγκακουχέομαι represents voluntary participation in the suffering of God’s people. In the New Testament, it appears uniquely in Hebrews to describe Moses’ deliberate choice to identify with and share in the afflictions of his people rather than enjoy the privileges of Egyptian royalty. The early church saw this word as exemplifying the cost of discipleship and the nobility of choosing suffering with God’s people over worldly comfort. Today, it continues to challenge believers to make conscious choices to stand with the persecuted church and identify with those suffering for their faith.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συγκακουχέομαι, sugkakoucheomai, /soong-kak-oo-kheh’-om-ahee/
• Detailed pronunciation: SOONG (as in “soon”) – kak (as in “pack”) – oo (as in “tooth”) – KHEH – om – ahee
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (sun) prefix meaning “with, together”
• κακοῦχος (kakouchos) from κακός (evil) and ἔχω (to have/hold)
• -έομαι (-eomai) passive/middle voice ending
• Combined meaning: “to experience mistreatment together”

D – Defining Meanings

• To suffer ill-treatment with others
• To endure hardship alongside others
• To voluntarily share in others’ afflictions

For compound words:

• σύν indicates shared experience
• κακου- conveys the concept of evil treatment
• -χέομαι indicates receiving or experiencing

Translation Options:

• “To be mistreated with” – Emphasizes shared suffering
• “To endure hardship together” – Highlights voluntary participation
• “To share in afflictions” – Stresses communal aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κακουχέω (kakoucheo) /kak-oo-kheh’-o/ – to treat badly See G2558
• συμπάσχω (sumpascho) /soom-pas’-kho/ – to suffer with See G4841
• συγκακοπαθέω (sugkakopatheo) /soong-kak-op-ath-eh’-o/ – to suffer hardship with See G4777

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Passive/Middle
• Mood: Infinitive
• Person: N/A (Infinitive)
• Number: N/A (Infinitive)
• Aspect: Continuous

Examples:

• Present Infinitive: συγκακουχεῖσθαι (to be mistreated with)
• Present Passive Participle: συγκακουχούμενος (being mistreated with)
• Imperfect Middle: συνεκακουχούμην (I was sharing in mistreatment)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its unique usage in Hebrews describing Moses’ choice. Thayer’s notes its compound nature and voluntary aspect. LSJ documents limited classical usage. Vine’s highlights its connection to deliberate identification with suffering. Strong’s connects it to shared affliction. LEH notes related terms in the Septuagint. Moulton and Milligan discuss its rare occurrence in papyri.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Hebrews 11:25: “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with [συγκακουχέομαι] the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Συγκακουχέομαι powerfully illustrates the voluntary nature of identifying with God’s suffering people. Through Moses’ example, we see that choosing to share in the afflictions of God’s people brings greater reward than temporal pleasures. This word proclaims that the good news of King Jesus often calls us to sacrifice worldly comfort for the sake of fellowship with His people.

D – Did You Know?

• This word appears only once in the New Testament
• It was specifically chosen to describe Moses’ deliberate choice
• Early Christians used it to describe voluntary martyrdom

Strong’s G4778: A compound verb meaning “to suffer ill-treatment together with.” From σύν (with) and κακουχέω (to treat badly). Used specifically in Hebrews to describe Moses’ choice to share in the afflictions of God’s people rather than enjoy temporary pleasures of sin.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: suffering, persecution, voluntary-suffering, moses, identification, solidarity, affliction, fellowship, hebrews, biblical-greek, new-testament-greek, faithful-choices​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​