Brief Overview of συμβιβάζω (Strong’s G4822: symbibazō)

Strong’s G4822: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and βιβάζω (to mount/come), meaning “to bring together, unite, prove, demonstrate, or instruct.” In Acts 9:22, it describes Paul’s powerful demonstration that Jesus is the Messiah through connecting Scripture with fulfillment.

U – Unveiling the Word

Συμβιβάζω represents the process of bringing different elements together to demonstrate truth. As a compound word, it combines the idea of togetherness with movement or progression. In Acts 9:22, it describes Paul’s method of proving Jesus’ messiahship by connecting prophetic scriptures with their fulfillment. Early church fathers used this term to describe the process of theological instruction and demonstration. Today, it continues to model how we should present the truth of the gospel through careful reasoning and biblical connection.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμβιβάζω, symbibazō, /soom-bee-BAD-zo/
• Pronunciation: soom-bee-BAD-zo (stress on third syllable)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with” or “together”
• βιβάζω (bibazō): verb meaning “to cause to mount/progress”
• The combination suggests bringing things together for understanding

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meanings:

1. To prove or demonstrate
2. To bring together mentally
3. To instruct or teach
4. To unite or knit together

For compound words:

• σύν (syn): indicates combination or unity
• βιβάζω (bibazō): conveys progression or advancement
  Together they express bringing things together for understanding or proof

Translation Options:

1. “Prove” – Emphasizes demonstration aspect
2. “Unite” – Highlights connecting function
3. “Instruct” – Captures teaching element

E – Exploring Similar Words

• διδάσκω (didaskō) /did-AS-ko/ – focuses on teaching. See G1321
• ἀποδείκνυμι (apodeiknymi) /a-po-DIKE-noo-mee/ – emphasizes proving. See G584
• συνάγω (synagō) /soon-AG-o/ – stresses bringing together. See G4863

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological features as a verb:

• Tense: Present, Imperfect, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active, Passive
• Mood: Indicative, Participle
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Continuous (Present), Simple (Aorist)

Examples:

• Present Active: συμβιβάζω – I am proving
• Aorist Active: συνεβίβασα – I proved
• Present Passive: συμβιβάζομαι – I am being instructed

Cross-references:

• Noun: συμβίβασις (symbibasis)
• Adjective: συμβιβαστικός (symbibastikos)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in demonstration and instruction. Thayer’s notes its connection to bringing together for understanding. LSJ provides examples from teaching contexts. Vine’s highlights its use in proving truth claims. Strong’s connects it to uniting concepts. LEH discusses its Septuagint usage in wisdom literature. Moulton and Milligan show its use in educational contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Acts 9:22 “But Saul increased all the more in strength, and [proved] {συμβιβάζω} to the Jews who lived in Damascus that this Jesus was the Messiah.”

Additional References:
Acts 16:10
Ephesians 4:16
Colossians 2:2
Colossians 2:19

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Συμβιβάζω powerfully illustrates the process of demonstrating gospel truth. It promotes the good news by showing how Scripture and fulfillment unite to prove Jesus is the Messiah. This challenges us to be thorough in our understanding and presentation of the gospel, connecting God’s promises with their fulfillment in King Jesus.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word was commonly used in ancient educational treatises.
2. Early Christian apologists frequently used this term in their defenses of faith.
3. It appears in ancient legal documents describing the process of proving cases.

Strong’s G4822: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and βιβάζω (to mount/come), meaning “to bring together, unite, prove, demonstrate, or instruct.” In Acts 9:22, it describes Paul’s powerful demonstration that Jesus is the Messiah through connecting Scripture with fulfillment.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: proof, demonstration, instruction, unity, paul, acts, apologetics, teaching, reasoning, biblical-interpretation, messianic-prophecy, theological-instruction​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​