Strong’s G4791: A compound noun meaning “fellow partaker, joint participant.” From σύν (with) and κοινωνός (partner, sharer). Used to describe spiritual fellowship in both privileges and sufferings, particularly emphasizing shared participation in divine blessings and trials through union with the Messiah.

U- Unveiling the Word

Συγκοινωνός represents profound shared participation in spiritual realities. In the New Testament, it describes participation in both divine blessings (as in the root and fatness of the olive tree) and in tribulations for the Messiah’s sake. The early church saw this word as expressing the deep communion believers share in both the privileges and responsibilities of faith. Today, it continues to emphasize the communal nature of Christian experience and our shared participation in both the Messiah’s sufferings and glory.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συγκοινωνός, sugkoinonos, /soong-koy-no-nos’/
• Detailed pronunciation: SOONG (as in “soon”) – koy – NO – nos
• Part of Speech: Noun (Masculine/Feminine)

Etymology:

• σύν (sun) prefix meaning “with, together”
• κοινωνός (koinonos) meaning “partner, sharer”
• Combined meaning: “joint participant, fellow sharer”

D – Defining Meanings

• Fellow partaker
• Joint participant
• Co-partner in spiritual realities

For compound words:

• σύν emphasizes shared participation
• κοινωνός provides the concept of partnership
• Combined stresses mutual experience

Translation Options:

• “Fellow partaker” – Emphasizes shared participation
• “Joint participant” – Stresses active involvement
• “Co-partner” – Highlights mutual relationship

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κοινωνός (koinonos) /koy-no-nos’/ – partner See G2844
• μέτοχος (metochos) /met’-okh-os/ – partaker See G3353
• συμμέτοχος (summetochos) /soom-met’-okh-os/ – fellow partaker See G4830

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a noun:

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

Examples:

• Nominative: συγκοινωνός (fellow partaker)
• Genitive: συγκοινωνοῦ (of a fellow partaker)
• Plural: συγκοινωνοί (fellow partakers)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in spiritual fellowship contexts. Thayer’s notes its application to both privileges and sufferings. LSJ traces its usage in partnership contexts. Vine’s highlights its significance in Christian communion. Strong’s connects it to joint participation. LEH notes similar concepts in the Septuagint. Moulton and Milligan show its use in business partnerships.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Romans 11:17: “And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest [συγκοινωνός] of the root and fatness of the olive tree.”

Additional References:
Philippians 1:7
Revelation 1:9

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Συγκοινωνός beautifully captures the shared experience of believers in both blessings and trials. This word proclaims the good news that through King Jesus, we become genuine participants in divine life, sharing not only in His sufferings but also in His glory and the rich heritage of God’s people.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appears in ancient partnership agreements
• It was used in mystery religions for initiated members
• Early church writers used it to describe martyrs’ fellowship in the Messiah’s sufferings

Strong’s G4791: A compound noun meaning “fellow partaker, joint participant.” From σύν (with) and κοινωνός (partner, sharer). Used to describe spiritual fellowship in both privileges and sufferings, particularly emphasizing shared participation in divine blessings and trials through union with the Messiah.

Part of speech: Noun (Masculine/Feminine)

Tags: fellowship, participation, partnership, spiritual-communion, joint-participation, suffering, blessing, paul, revelation, biblical-greek, new-testament-greek, olive-tree​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​