Brief Overview of συναιχμάλωτος (Strong’s G4869: sunaichmalōtos)

Strong’s G4869: A compound noun combining σύν (with) and αἰχμάλωτος (prisoner of war), meaning fellow prisoner. In NT usage, it describes those imprisoned together for the gospel, emphasizing shared suffering and fellowship in the cause of the Messiah.

U- Unveiling the Word

συναιχμάλωτος carries deep significance in early Christian experience, literally meaning “captured together at spear-point.” This military term was adopted to describe those who shared imprisonment for their faith in the Messiah. In the New Testament, Paul uses this term to honor fellow believers who experienced incarceration with him for the gospel’s sake. The early church understood this term as a badge of honor, representing shared suffering for the Messiah. Today, it continues to remind us of the cost of discipleship and the bond formed between believers who suffer together for their faith.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συναιχμάλωτος, sunaichmalōtos, /soon-aykh-MAH-loh-tos/
• Detailed Pronunciation: soon (as in ‘soon’) + aykh (as in ‘ache’) + MAH (as in ‘ma’) + loh (as in ‘low’) + tos (as in ‘toss’)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with, together”
• αἰχμή (aichmē): spear
• ἁλωτός (halōtos): taken, captured
• The combination creates “one taken captive together with spear”

D – Defining Meanings

• Fellow prisoner
• Co-captive
• One imprisoned together
• Companion in bonds
• Fellow sufferer in captivity

For compound words:
σύν emphasizes shared experience, while αἰχμάλωτος brings the concept of being taken prisoner (literally at spear-point), creating a term that emphasizes both captivity and fellowship.

Translation Options:

1. “Fellow prisoner” – Best captures both relationship and condition
2. “Co-captive” – Emphasizes shared state of captivity
3. “Prison companion” – Highlights the fellowship aspect

E – Exploring Similar Words

• αἰχμάλωτος (aichmalōtos) /aykh-MAH-loh-tos/ – prisoner, captive alone. See G164
• δέσμιος (desmios) /DES-mee-os/ – prisoner, one in bonds. See G1198
• συνδέσμιος (syndesmios) /soon-DES-mee-os/ – fellow prisoner, bound together. See G4887

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this noun:

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

Example morphological changes:

• Nominative: συναιχμάλωτος (a fellow prisoner)
• Genitive: συναιχμαλώτου (of a fellow prisoner)
• Dative: συναιχμαλώτῳ (to/for a fellow prisoner)
• Accusative: συναιχμάλωτον (direct object)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in describing shared imprisonment for the faith. Thayer’s notes its military origin and metaphorical application. LSJ provides evidence of use in military contexts. Vine’s connects it to fellowship in suffering. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature and literal meaning. LEH notes its rare usage in religious contexts. Moulton and Milligan find evidence of its use in describing war captives.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

Romans 16:7: “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners [συναιχμαλώτους], who are of note among the apostles, who also were in the Messiah before me.”

Additional References:
Colossians 4:10, Philemon 1:23

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συναιχμάλωτος powerfully illustrates the reality of suffering for the kingdom of God. The good news of King Jesus often comes at a cost, but even in imprisonment, believers find fellowship and purpose. This word reminds us that when we suffer for the Messiah, we never suffer alone. Our shared experiences in hardship create bonds that testify to the transforming power of the gospel and the reality of Christian fellowship.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word combines military terminology with spiritual fellowship
2. Paul uses this term exclusively to describe his fellow prisoners for the gospel
3. Early Christian martyrdom accounts adopted this term to describe shared imprisonment

Strong’s G4869: A compound noun combining σύν (with) and αἰχμάλωτος (prisoner of war), meaning fellow prisoner. In NT usage, it describes those imprisoned together for the gospel, emphasizing shared suffering and fellowship in the cause of the Messiah.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: imprisonment, persecution, fellowship, suffering, martyrdom, Christian bonds, spiritual warfare, apostolic ministry, persecution, Christian community, shared hardship, gospel witness​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​