Strong’s G4874: A compound verb combining σύν (with), ἀνά (up), and μίγνυμι (to mix), meaning to mix up together, to associate with. In NT usage, it primarily appears in contexts of church discipline, warning against keeping company with unrepentant believers.

U- Unveiling the Word

συναναμίγνυμι represents a deeply nuanced concept of social and spiritual association. As a compound word, it combines togetherness, thoroughness, and mixing, creating a term that describes intimate association or close companionship. In the New Testament, Paul uses this term specifically in the context of church discipline, addressing the boundaries of Christian fellowship. The early church understood this term as crucial for maintaining community purity while balancing grace with accountability. Today, it continues to inform our understanding of Christian fellowship, church discipline, and the balance between inclusion and maintaining biblical standards.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συναναμίγνυμι, sunanamignumi, /soon-an-a-MIG-noo-mee/
• Detailed Pronunciation: soon (as in ‘soon’) + an (as in ‘on’) + a (as in ‘up’) + MIG (as in ‘big’) + noo (as in ‘new’) + mee (as in ‘me’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with, together”
• ἀνά (ana): prefix meaning “up, thoroughly”
• μίγνυμι (mignumi): root verb meaning “to mix, mingle”

D – Defining Meanings

• To mix up together
• To associate intimately with
• To keep company with
• To mingle together
• To have close fellowship with

For compound words:
σύν emphasizes joint participation, ἀνά indicates thoroughness, and μίγνυμι contributes the concept of mixing or mingling, creating a word that describes complete social integration.

Translation Options:

1. “To associate with” – Best captures the social aspect
2. “To keep company with” – Emphasizes ongoing relationship
3. “To mix together with” – Most literal translation preserving the mixing metaphor

E – Exploring Similar Words

• μίγνυμι (mignumi) /MIG-noo-mee/ – to mix or mingle without emphasis on togetherness. See G3396
• κοινωνέω (koinōneō) /koy-no-NEH-oh/ – to have fellowship or share with. See G2841
• συγκεράννυμι (sugkerannumi) /soong-ker-AN-noo-mee/ – to mix together, combine. See G4786

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

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

Example morphological changes:

• Present Active: συναναμίγνυμι (I associate with)
• Aorist Active: συνανέμιξα (I associated with)
• Present Infinitive: συναναμίγνυσθαι (to associate with)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its use in contexts of social association. Thayer’s notes its particular use in church discipline. LSJ provides evidence of use in describing social relationships. Vine’s connects it to fellowship boundaries. Strong’s emphasizes the thorough mixing implied by the compound form. LEH notes its use in describing social integration. Moulton and Milligan find evidence of its use in describing business partnerships.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

1 Corinthians 5:9: “I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company [συναναμίγνυσθαι] with sexually immoral people.”

Additional References:
1 Corinthians 5:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:14

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συναναμίγνυμι powerfully illustrates the delicate balance between inclusion and holiness in the body of the Messiah. While the good news of King Jesus calls us to fellowship, it also calls us to maintain community standards. This word reminds us that our associations matter, and that healthy Christian community requires both grace and truth, both welcome and accountability.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears only in contexts of church discipline in the New Testament
2. It was commonly used in business documents to describe partnerships
3. Early church fathers used this term when discussing boundaries of Christian fellowship

Strong’s G4874: A compound verb combining σύν (with), ἀνά (up), and μίγνυμι (to mix), meaning to mix up together, to associate with. In NT usage, it primarily appears in contexts of church discipline, warning against keeping company with unrepentant believers.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: fellowship, association, church discipline, companionship, boundaries, community, relationships, mixing, social interaction, Christian fellowship, accountability, church order​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​