Brief Overview of συμπαθής (Strong’s G4835: sympathes)

Strong’s G4835: A compound adjective combining συν- (with) and πάθος (feeling, suffering), meaning “sympathetic, having fellow-feeling.” Used to describe a key characteristic of Christian community, expressing deep emotional identification with others’ experiences and sufferings.

U- Unveiling the Word

συμπαθής embodies the character quality of deep emotional identification with others. As a compound word, it combines togetherness (συν-) with feeling or suffering (πάθος) to describe someone who shares deeply in others’ experiences. In the New Testament, it appears in the context of Christian community life, where believers are called to share in one another’s joys and sorrows. The early church saw this term as essential to Christian character, reflecting the Messiah’s own nature of sharing in human experience. Today, it continues to challenge believers to move beyond superficial relationships to deep, genuine emotional engagement with others’ experiences.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμπαθής, sympathes, /soom-path-ace/
• Detailed pronunciation: soom (unstressed) – PATH (stressed) – ace
• Part of Speech: Adjective

Etymology:

• Prefix: συν-/συμ- (syn-/sym-) meaning “with, together”
• Root word: πάθος (pathos) meaning “feeling, suffering”
• Suffix: -ής (-es) forming an adjective describing character quality
• Related to verb πάσχω (pascho) meaning “to suffer, experience”

D – Defining Meanings

• Sympathetic
• Having fellow-feeling
• Sharing in others’ experiences

For compound words:
The prefix συν- indicates shared experience
The root πάθος contributes the concept of feeling or suffering
The suffix -ής indicates a characteristic quality
Together they express a disposition toward sharing others’ feelings

Translation Options:

1. Sympathetic – Most common equivalent, though modern usage may be weaker
2. Compassionate – Emphasizes the emotional engagement aspect
3. Fellow-feeling – More literal translation capturing the shared nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• συμπαθέω (sympatheo) /soom-path-eh-oh/ – to sympathize (verb form) – See G4834
• εὔσπλαγχνος (eusplagchnos) /yoo-splangkh-nos/ – tenderhearted – See G2155
• οἰκτίρμων (oiktirmon) /oyk-teer-mone/ – merciful – See G3629

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

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

Examples:
Masculine singular: συμπαθής (sympathetic)
Feminine singular: συμπαθής (sympathetic)
Neuter singular: συμπαθές (sympathetic)
Plural forms add appropriate endings

• Cross-references include the verb συμπαθέω (to sympathize) and noun συμπάθεια (sympathy)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its role in describing Christian community life. Thayer’s highlights its connection to genuine emotional identification. LSJ notes its widespread use in Hellenistic literature for shared feelings. Vine’s connects it to Christian character virtues. Strong’s emphasizes the completeness of the sharing implied. Moulton and Milligan document its frequent use in personal letters expressing genuine concern.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be [συμπαθής] tenderhearted, be courteous 1 Peter 3:8

Additional References:
This word appears only once in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συμπαθής beautifully captures the heart of Christian community as those who share deeply in one another’s experiences. This quality reflects the character of King Jesus, who sympathizes with our weaknesses. It proclaims the good news that in His kingdom, we’re called to genuine, deep relationships where we truly share life together.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word is the source of our English word “sympathetic” but carries deeper connotations in biblical usage.
2. It appears in a list of five essential Christian virtues in 1 Peter 3:8.
3. In ancient Greek medical texts, it described the interconnected nature of body parts sharing in pain or healing.

Strong’s G4835: A compound adjective combining συν- (with) and πάθος (feeling, suffering), meaning “sympathetic, having fellow-feeling.” Used to describe a key characteristic of Christian community, expressing deep emotional identification with others’ experiences and sufferings.

Part of speech: Adjective

Tags: sympathy, compassion, community, fellowship, emotions, suffering, relationships, christian-character, unity, love, empathy, brother-hood​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​