Brief Overview of συναγωνίζομαι (Strong’s G4865: sunagōnizomai)

Strong’s G4865: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ἀγωνίζομαι (to contend, struggle), meaning to strive together with, to join in a struggle. In NT usage, it specifically relates to joining in earnest prayer and spiritual warfare alongside fellow believers.

U- Unveiling the Word

συναγωνίζομαι represents a powerful concept of joint spiritual struggle and partnership in the faith. As a compound word, it combines the idea of togetherness with intense athletic or military contest, painting a vivid picture of believers joining forces in spiritual battle. In its New Testament context, Paul uses this word specifically in relation to prayer, suggesting that intercessory prayer is a form of spiritual combat undertaken collectively. The early church understood this term as a call to unite in prayer and spiritual warfare. Today, it continues to teach us about the cooperative nature of Christian prayer and spiritual warfare, emphasizing that we are not meant to fight our spiritual battles alone.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συναγωνίζομαι, sunagōnizomai, /soon-ag-oh-NEE-zoh-my/
• Detailed Pronunciation: soon (as in ‘soon’) + ag (as in ‘ag-ile’) + oh + NEE (as in ‘knee’) + zoh + my (as in ‘my’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with, together”
• ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnizomai): root verb meaning “to contend, struggle, fight”
• The reflexive middle voice ending -ομαι indicates personal involvement in the action

D – Defining Meanings

• To strive together with someone
• To join in a contest or fight alongside
• To labor together in prayer
• To engage in spiritual warfare together
• To assist in a struggle

For compound words:
σύν adds the concept of togetherness or partnership, while ἀγωνίζομαι contributes the intense struggle or contest aspect. The middle voice ending emphasizes personal involvement in the joint effort.

Translation Options:

1. “To strive together” – Captures both partnership and struggle
2. “To contend alongside” – Emphasizes the battle aspect while maintaining togetherness
3. “To join in the struggle” – Highlights the participatory nature of the action

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnizomai) /ag-oh-NEE-zoh-my/ – to strive or contend individually. See G75
• συναθλέω (synathleō) /soon-ath-LEH-oh/ – to strive together, specifically in athletic contest. See G4866
• συμμάχομαι (symachomai) /soom-MAKH-oh-my/ – to fight alongside. See G4874

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

• Tense: Present, Aorist
• Voice: Middle/Passive Deponent
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Infinitive
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Imperfective (present), Perfective (aorist)

Example morphological changes:

• Present: συναγωνίζομαι (I strive together)
• Aorist: συνηγωνισάμην (I strove together)
• Infinitive: συναγωνίζεσθαι (to strive together)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the cooperative nature of the struggle implied by συναγωνίζομαι. Thayer’s highlights its use in prayer contexts. LSJ provides evidence of its use in military and athletic contexts. Vine’s connects it to the concept of Christian warfare. Strong’s emphasizes the intensified meaning created by the compound form. LEH notes its rare usage in religious contexts. Moulton and Milligan find evidence of its use in papyri describing joint legal or business ventures.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

Romans 15:30: “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Messiah’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together [συναγωνίσασθαί] with me in your prayers to God for me.”

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence of συναγωνίζομαι in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συναγωνίζομαι beautifully captures the essence of Christian partnership in spiritual warfare through prayer. It reminds us that in the kingdom of God, we are called to stand together, fight together, and pray together. The good news of King Jesus is that He has not left us to struggle alone but has given us both His Spirit and fellow believers to join in the spiritual battles we face. This word encourages us to see prayer not as a solitary activity but as a powerful form of spiritual partnership.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears only once in the New Testament but was common in military contexts
2. Ancient Greek athletes used this term when training together for competitions
3. Early church fathers adopted this word to describe united prayer against heresy

Strong’s G4865: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ἀγωνίζομαι (to contend, struggle), meaning to strive together with, to join in a struggle. In NT usage, it specifically relates to joining in earnest prayer and spiritual warfare alongside fellow believers.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: spiritual warfare, prayer, partnership, struggle, unity, cooperation, warfare, intercession, striving, joint effort, spiritual battle, Christian cooperation​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​