Brief Overview of συμφυλέτης (Strong’s G4853: symphyletes)

Strong’s G4853: A compound noun combining συν- (with) and φυλή (tribe), meaning “fellow countryman, of the same tribe.” Used in Thessalonians to describe persecution from one’s own people, emphasizing the painful reality of opposition from one’s own community.

U- Unveiling the Word

συμφυλέτης represents the complex relationship of belonging to the same tribal or national group. As a compound word, it combines togetherness (συν-) with tribal identity (φυλή) to express shared ethnic or national identity. In the New Testament, Paul uses it to describe persecution from one’s own people, highlighting the particular pain of rejection by one’s own community. The early church saw this term as significant in understanding the cost of following the Messiah when it meant facing opposition from one’s own people. Today, it continues to speak to the challenges believers face when their faith puts them at odds with their cultural or ethnic community.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμφυλέτης, symphyletes, /soom-foo-let-ace/
• Detailed pronunciation: soom (unstressed) – foo (unstressed) – LET (stressed) – ace
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Prefix: συν-/συμ- (syn-/sym-) meaning “with, together”
• Root word: φυλή (phyle) meaning “tribe, race”
• Suffix: -της (-tes) indicating person
• Base meaning: “one of the same tribe”

D – Defining Meanings

• Fellow countryman
• Member of the same tribe
• Compatriot

For compound words:
The prefix συν- indicates shared identity
The root φυλή contributes the concept of tribal belonging
The suffix -της indicates personal reference
Together they express tribal or national kinship

Translation Options:

1. Fellow countryman – Emphasizes national identity
2. Tribesman – Stresses ethnic connection
3. Compatriot – Highlights shared origin

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ὁμόφυλος (homophylos) /hom-of-oo-los/ – of the same race – See G3674
• συγγενής (syngenes) /soong-gen-ace/ – relative, kinsman – See G4773
• ἀλλόφυλος (allophylos) /al-lof-oo-los/ – foreigner – See G246

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

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

Example English morphing:
Nominative: fellow countryman
Genitive: fellow countryman’s
Dative: to/for the fellow countryman
Plural: fellow countrymen

• Cross-references include the adjective συμφυλετικός (tribal) and φυλετικός (tribal)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of persecution. Thayer’s highlights the shared ethnic identity aspect. LSJ notes its use in civic contexts. Vine’s connects it to community relationships. Strong’s emphasizes the tribal connection. Moulton and Milligan document its use in describing local communities.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in the Messiah Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own [συμφυλέτης] countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans 1 Thessalonians 2:14

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

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συμφυλέτης powerfully captures the reality of facing opposition from one’s own community for following King Jesus. It proclaims the good news that the Messiah’s kingdom transcends tribal and national boundaries, even when this causes tension with our earthly ties. This word reminds us that following Jesus may require standing firm in faith despite opposition from those closest to us.

D – Did You Know?

1. This word appears in discussing one of the earliest instances of persecution of Gentile Christians.
2. It highlights the universal experience of early Christians facing opposition from their own communities.
3. The term influenced early church understanding of the cost of discipleship.

Strong’s G4853: A compound noun combining συν- (with) and φυλή (tribe), meaning “fellow countryman, of the same tribe.” Used in Thessalonians to describe persecution from one’s own people, emphasizing the painful reality of opposition from one’s own community.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: persecution, community, ethnicity, tribe, opposition, kinship, nationality, cultural-conflict, identity, belonging, community-tension, discipleship-cost​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​