Brief Overview of συμφύω (Strong’s G4855: symphyo)

Strong’s G4855: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and φύω (to grow), meaning “to grow up together.” Used in the Messiah’s parable of the sower to describe thorns growing up with the seed, illustrating how worldly concerns can choke spiritual growth.

U- Unveiling the Word

συμφύω represents the process of simultaneous growth or development. As a compound word, it combines togetherness (συν-) with growing (φύω) to express concurrent growth. In the New Testament, it appears in the parable of the sower, specifically describing thorns growing alongside the good seed, ultimately choking it. The early church saw this term as significant for understanding how competing influences can impede spiritual growth. Today, it continues to warn believers about allowing worldly concerns to grow alongside and ultimately hinder their spiritual development.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συμφύω, symphyo, /soom-foo-o/
• Detailed pronunciation: soom (unstressed) – FOO (stressed) – o
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• Prefix: συν-/συμ- (syn-/sym-) meaning “with, together”
• Root word: φύω (phyo) meaning “to grow, produce”
• Related to φύσις (physis) meaning “nature”
• Base meaning: “to grow together”

D – Defining Meanings

• To grow up together
• To spring up together
• To develop simultaneously

For compound words:
The prefix συν- indicates joint action
The root φύω contributes the concept of growth
Together they express simultaneous development

Translation Options:

1. To grow together – Most literal translation
2. To spring up with – Emphasizes concurrent development
3. To grow alongside – Stresses parallel growth

E – Exploring Similar Words

• φύω (phyo) /foo-o/ – to grow – See G5453
• συναυξάνω (synauxano) /soon-ow-xan-o/ – to grow together – See G4885
• βλαστάνω (blastano) /blas-tan-o/ – to sprout – See G985

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Morphological Features:

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

Example English morphing:
Present: grow together
Past: grew together
Participle: growing together
Future: will grow together

• Cross-references include the adjective σύμφυτος (grown together) and φυτεία (plant)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in describing competing growth. Thayer’s highlights the simultaneous nature of the growth. LSJ notes its common use in botanical contexts. Vine’s connects it to spiritual impediments. Strong’s emphasizes the togetherness of the growth. Moulton and Milligan document its agricultural usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns [συμφύω] sprang up with it and choked it. Luke 8:7

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

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συμφύω powerfully warns about the danger of competing influences in our spiritual life. It proclaims the good news of King Jesus by showing what can hinder its growth, calling us to guard against allowing worldly concerns to develop alongside our faith. This word reminds us to prioritize spiritual growth over competing worldly developments.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears in a crucial agricultural metaphor about spiritual growth.
2. Its botanical meaning informed early Christian understanding of spiritual development.
3. The term influenced Christian teaching about competing loyalties in spiritual life.

Strong’s G4855: A compound verb combining συν- (with) and φύω (to grow), meaning “to grow up together.” Used in the Messiah’s parable of the sower to describe thorns growing up with the seed, illustrating how worldly concerns can choke spiritual growth.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: growth, parables, spiritual-development, worldliness, competing-influences, spiritual-impediments, agriculture, sower, thorns, spiritual-growth, hindrances, priorities​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​