Brief Overview of συζητητής (Strong’s G4804: suzētētēs)

Strong’s G4804: A masculine noun derived from συζητέω, meaning “disputer, debater, or learned inquirer.” In New Testament context, it refers specifically to those who engage in philosophical and theological debates, often with a slightly negative connotation of sophistry or worldly wisdom.

U – Unveiling the Word

Συζητητής carries significant weight in 1 Corinthians 1:20, where Paul uses it to challenge the wisdom of this age. As a compound word, it describes someone who professionally or habitually engages in joint investigation or debate. In its New Testament context, it specifically refers to the Greek philosophers and Jewish scholars who relied on human wisdom rather than divine revelation. The early church fathers used this term to contrast worldly intellectual pursuit with true spiritual wisdom. Today, it reminds us to distinguish between mere intellectual debate and genuine spiritual understanding.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συζητητής, suzētētēs, /sood-zay-tay-TACE/
• Pronunciation: soo-dzay-tay-TACE (stress on last syllable)
• Part of Speech: Masculine Noun

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with” or “together”
• ζητέω (zēteō): root verb meaning “to seek or investigate”
• -της (-tēs): suffix forming agent nouns
  The combination creates a noun describing one who engages in joint investigation

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meanings:

1. Professional debater
2. Philosopher
3. Learned disputant
4. One who engages in theoretical speculation

For compound words:

• σύν (syn): indicates joint or mutual action
• ζητέω (zēteō): conveys seeking or investigation
• -της (-tēs): identifies the person performing the action
  Together they describe someone who makes a practice of investigating and debating

Translation Options:

1. “Debater” – Emphasizes the disputational aspect
2. “Scholar” – Highlights the learned nature
3. “Philosopher” – Captures the theoretical/speculative element

E – Exploring Similar Words

• σοφιστής (sophistēs) /so-fee-STACE/ – focuses on professional wisdom teachers. See G4680
• διαλεκτικός (dialektikos) /dee-ah-lek-tee-KOSS/ – emphasizes skill in logical argument. See G1258
• φιλόσοφος (philosophos) /fee-LO-so-fos/ – stresses love of wisdom. See G5386

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a masculine noun:

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

Examples of case endings:

• Nominative singular: συζητητής
• Genitive singular: συζητητοῦ
• Dative singular: συζητητῇ
• Accusative singular: συζητητήν

Cross-references:

• Verb form: συζητέω (suzēteō)
• Abstract noun: συζήτησις (suzētēsis)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in reference to professional debaters and philosophers. Thayer’s notes its connection to Greek sophistry. LSJ provides examples from philosophical contexts. Vine’s highlights Paul’s use of it to challenge worldly wisdom. Strong’s connects it to those who make a practice of disputation. LEH discusses its role in philosophical discourse. Moulton and Milligan show its use in academic settings.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
1 Corinthians 1:20 “Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the [debater] {συζητητής} of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?”

Additional References:
As a hapax legomenon, it appears only in 1 Corinthians 1:20.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Συζητητής powerfully illustrates the contrast between worldly and divine wisdom. Through Paul’s use of this term, we see how the good news of King Jesus transcends human philosophy and debate. It reminds us that true wisdom comes not from endless intellectual pursuits but from the revelation of God in the Messiah, whose apparent foolishness surpasses the greatest human wisdom.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term was often used in ancient Athens to describe professional sophists who taught rhetoric for pay.
2. Early church fathers used this word when warning against overreliance on Greek philosophy in theological matters.
3. It appears in ancient philosophical school advertisements promoting their teachers’ debating skills.

Strong’s G4804: A masculine noun derived from συζητέω, meaning “disputer, debater, or learned inquirer.” In New Testament context, it refers specifically to those who engage in philosophical and theological debates, often with a slightly negative connotation of sophistry or worldly wisdom.

Part of speech: Masculine Noun

Tags: debate, philosophy, wisdom, sophistry, worldly-wisdom, corinthians, paul, greek-philosophy, apologetics, intellectual-pursuit, divine-wisdom, theological-debate​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​