Brief Overview of συναρμολογέω (Strong’s G4883: sunarmologeō)

Strong’s G4883: A compound verb combining σύν (with), ἁρμός (joint), and λέγω (to choose/lay), meaning to fit or frame together perfectly. In NT usage, it describes the precise joining of believers into the spiritual temple and body of the Messiah.

U- Unveiling the Word

συναρμολογέω represents a masterful architectural and anatomical metaphor. As a compound word, it combines the concepts of togetherness, jointing, and careful selection/placement, creating a term that describes precise and purposeful assembly. In the New Testament, Paul uses this term to describe both the construction of God’s spiritual temple and the formation of the Messiah’s body (the church). The early church understood this term as expressing divine craftsmanship in building the church. Today, it continues to inform our understanding of church unity, spiritual growth, and divine architectural precision in building His church.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συναρμολογέω, sunarmologeō, /soon-ar-mo-lo-GEH-oh/
• Detailed Pronunciation: soon (as in ‘soon’) + ar (as in ‘car’) + mo (as in ‘mow’) + lo (as in ‘low’) + GEH (as in ‘get’) + oh (as in ‘go’)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “with, together”
• ἁρμός (harmos): noun meaning “joint, fitting”
• λέγω (legō): verb meaning “to choose, gather, lay”
• Combined sense: “to join together precisely”

D – Defining Meanings

• To fit together precisely
• To join carefully
• To frame together perfectly
• To construct skillfully
• To unite in proper order

For compound words:
σύν emphasizes unity, ἁρμός contributes the concept of precise jointing, and λέγω adds the notion of careful selection and placement.

Translation Options:

1. “To join together precisely” – Best captures the technical precision
2. “To frame together” – Emphasizes the architectural aspect
3. “To fit together perfectly” – Highlights the quality of the joining

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἁρμολογέω (harmologeō) /har-mo-lo-GEH-oh/ – to join without emphasis on unity. See G719
• συνοικοδομέω (synoikodomeō) /soon-oy-ko-do-MEH-oh/ – to build together. See G4925
• συντίθημι (syntithēmi) /soon-TITH-ay-mee/ – to put together. See G4934

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

For this verb:

• Tense: Present, Participle
• Voice: Passive
• Mood: Participle
• Person: N/A (Participle)
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Imperfective (present)

Example morphological changes:

• Present Passive Participle: συναρμολογούμενος (being fitted together)
• Present Passive: συναρμολογέομαι (I am being fitted together)
• Perfect Passive: συνηρμολόγημαι (I have been fitted together)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the architectural precision. Thayer’s notes its use in both building and body metaphors. LSJ provides evidence of technical usage in construction. Vine’s connects it to divine craftsmanship. Strong’s emphasizes the compound nature of precise joining. LEH notes its technical nature. Moulton and Milligan find evidence of its use in skilled craftsmanship.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First Appearance:

Ephesians 2:21: “in whom the whole building, being fitted together [συναρμολογουμένη], grows into a holy temple in the Lord.”

Additional References:
Ephesians 4:16

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συναρμολογέω beautifully illustrates God’s masterful craftsmanship in building His church. The good news of King Jesus includes not just individual salvation but incorporation into a precisely crafted spiritual structure. This word reminds us that every believer has a carefully designed place in God’s building project, and that our unity is not accidental but divinely engineered.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word appears only in Ephesians but in two crucial ecclesiological contexts
2. It was a technical term in ancient architecture and medical writings
3. Early church architects used this term when describing church building construction

Strong’s G4883: A compound verb combining σύν (with), ἁρμός (joint), and λέγω (to choose/lay), meaning to fit or frame together perfectly. In NT usage, it describes the precise joining of believers into the spiritual temple and body of the Messiah.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: architecture, unity, church building, divine craftsmanship, spiritual construction, joining, precision, temple building, body of Messiah, spiritual unity, divine architecture, church structure​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​