Divine Proximity: συνομορέω (Strong’s G4927: sunomoreo) Shows Gospel Opportunity

Strong’s G4927: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ὅμορος (adjoining), συνομορέω describes physical adjacency or bordering. In Acts, it marks the strategic location of Justus’s house next to the synagogue, highlighting how physical proximity created opportunities for gospel witness.

U – Unveiling the Word

συνομορέω (sunomoreo) describes the physical relationship of buildings or properties that share a common border. This compound word emphasizes adjacency and proximity, particularly significant in Acts where it describes Justus’s house bordering the synagogue. In the New Testament context, this physical proximity became spiritually significant as it facilitated Paul’s ministry transition from the synagogue to Gentile outreach. Early church writers noted how God often uses physical proximity for spiritual purposes. Today, it reminds us how location and neighborhood connections can serve divine purposes in spreading the gospel.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συνομορέω, sunomoreo, /sün-om-or-eh’-ō/
• Pronunciation Guide: soon-oh-mor-EH-oh (where ‘eh’ sounds like in “bed”)
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (syn) – prefix meaning “with”
• ὅμορος (homoros) – adjective meaning “bordering, adjacent”
• The combination emphasizes shared boundaries

D – Defining Meanings

• To border upon
• To be adjacent to
• To share a boundary with

For compound words:
The prefix σύν reinforces the concept of connection, while ὅμορος provides the meaning of bordering. Together, they express physical adjacency.

Translation Options:

• “to border directly on” – emphasizes physical contact
• “to be adjacent to” – highlights proximity
• “to share boundaries with” – stresses common borders

E – Exploring Similar Words

• παράκειμαι (parakeimai) /par-ak’-i-mahee/ – to lie beside
  See G3873
• γειτονεύω (geitoneuō) /ghi-ton-yoo’-o/ – to be a neighbor
  See G1069
• προσεγγίζω (prosengizō) /pros-eng-id’-zo/ – to come near to
  See G4331

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Participle
• Person: N/A (Participle)
• Number: Singular
• Aspect: Progressive/Continuous

The word appears showing continuous state:

• συνομοροῦσα (bordering upon)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the word’s physical and architectural context. Thayer’s notes its use in property descriptions. LSJ provides examples from boundary markers and property documents. Vine’s connects it to physical adjacency. Strong’s highlights the connecting nature of the συν- prefix. LEH and Moulton and Milligan note its technical usage in property descriptions.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Acts 18:7: “Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to [συνομορέω] the synagogue.”

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

συνομορέω beautifully illustrates how God strategically positions His people for kingdom impact. This word proclaims the good news that physical proximity can serve divine purposes, as seen in Paul’s ministry. It reminds us that our locations are not accidental but can be used by God for gospel opportunities.

D – Did You Know?

1. συνομορέω appears only once in the New Testament
2. It marks a crucial transition point in Paul’s ministry strategy
3. The word influenced early church thinking about strategic property acquisition

Strong’s G4927: A compound verb combining σύν (with) and ὅμορος (adjoining), συνομορέω describes physical adjacency or bordering. In Acts, it marks the strategic location of Justus’s house next to the synagogue, highlighting how physical proximity created opportunities for gospel witness.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: proximity, adjacency, property, synagogue, Paul’s ministry, strategic location, Acts, compound words, Greek verbs, evangelism strategy, divine positioning​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​