Brief Overview of συνέκδημος (Strong’s G4898: synekdēmos)

Strong’s G4898: A compound noun combining σύν (together with), ἐκ (out of), and δῆμος (people/land), meaning fellow traveler or traveling companion. In NT usage, describes missionary companions and delegates of churches who journeyed together to spread the gospel.

U- Unveiling the Word

συνέκδημος represents a significant concept in early Christian missions and fellowship. As a compound word, it combines the ideas of togetherness (σύν), departure (ἐκ), and people/land (δῆμος), creating a term that describes those who journey together away from home for a common purpose. In the New Testament, it appears in Acts 19:29 and 2 Corinthians 8:19, describing missionary companions and church delegates. The early church understood this term as expressing both physical companionship in travel and spiritual partnership in ministry. Today, this word continues to illuminate our understanding of Christian partnership in mission and ministry.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συνέκδημος, synekdēmos, /sün-ek’-day-mos/
• Detailed pronunciation: soon-EK-day-moss (stress on second syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun (Masculine)

Etymology:

• σύν (syn): prefix meaning “together with”
• ἐκ (ek): preposition meaning “out of”
• δῆμος (dēmos): noun meaning “people” or “land”
• The combination creates the meaning “fellow traveler abroad”

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meanings:

1. Fellow traveler
2. Missionary companion
3. Traveling delegate

For compound words:

• σύν (syn): Emphasizes shared experience
• ἐκ (ek): Indicates movement away from
• δῆμος (dēmos): Provides context of people/homeland

Translation Options:

1. “Fellow traveler” – Best captures companionship aspect
2. “Traveling companion” – Emphasizes shared journey
3. “Co-delegate” – Highlights official representation role

E – Exploring Similar Words

• συνοδοιπόρος (synodoiporos, /soon-od-oy-por’-os/) – See G4922: Fellow traveler
• συνεργός (synergos, /soon-er-gos’/) – See G4904: Fellow worker
• ἀπόστολος (apostolos, /ap-os’-tol-os/) – See G652: One sent forth

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Features:

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

Example morphological changes:

• Nominative singular: συνέκδημος
• Genitive singular: συνεκδήμου
• Dative singular: συνεκδήμῳ
• Accusative singular: συνέκδημον
• Cross-references: συνεκδημέω (synekdēmeō) – related verb meaning “to travel abroad together”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the word’s use for traveling companions in ministry. Thayer’s notes its application to church delegates. LSJ provides examples from classical literature showing various types of traveling companions. Vine’s highlights its use in missionary contexts. Strong’s connects it to the concept of being away from one’s people together. Moulton and Milligan document its use in papyri for official traveling companions.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“And having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel [συνέκδημος], they rushed with one accord into the theatre.” Acts 19:29

Additional References:
2 Corinthians 8:19

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συνέκδημος beautifully captures the collaborative nature of Christian mission. The good news of King Jesus spreads through partnerships, with believers supporting and accompanying one another in the work. This word reminds us that in God’s kingdom, we’re not meant to journey alone but to partner together in sharing and living out the gospel.

D – Did You Know?

1. Used in ancient diplomatic documents for official traveling parties
2. Early church developed special ceremonies for commissioning συνέκδημοι
3. Influenced development of monastic traveling companions system

Strong’s G4898: A compound noun combining “together” (σύν), “out from” (ἐκ), and “people” (δῆμος), describing fellow travelers or missionary companions. Used in NT for church delegates and ministry partners traveling together to spread the gospel.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: companion, missionary, traveler, delegate, partnership, mission, journey, fellowship, ministry, church representative, gospel work​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​