### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb sygkoinōnéō (G4790) is a compound word formed from the preposition σύν (syn), meaning "with" or "together," and the verb κοινωνέω (G2841), meaning "to have fellowship with," "to participate," or "to share." Thus, sygkoinōnéō fundamentally signifies a deep, mutual participation or co-participation. It implies a shared involvement, a joint undertaking, or a common experience. The prefix σύν intensifies the concept of κοινωνέω, emphasizing not merely individual participation, but a collective or reciprocal sharing, often implying solidarity or partnership. Its semantic range extends to encompass sharing in blessings, burdens, purposes, and even consequences.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term sygkoinōnéō appears a limited number of times in the New Testament, but each instance carries significant weight, illustrating its nuanced meaning:
* **Romans 15:27**: "For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual blessings, they are obligated to share with them in their material blessings." Here, sygkoinōnéō describes the Gentiles' participation in the spiritual benefits derived from Israel's heritage. This spiritual sharing creates a reciprocal obligation to sygkoinōnéō (implied, though the verb is not repeated) in material support for the Jerusalem saints. It highlights a mutual exchange and shared responsibility within the covenant community.
* **1 Corinthians 9:23**: "I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings along with you." Paul speaks of his tireless efforts in ministry, not for personal gain, but so that he might sygkoinōnéō in the blessings and benefits of the gospel alongside those to whom he ministers. This implies a joint participation in the transformative power and eternal rewards of the good news.
* **Philippians 4:14**: "Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles." The Philippian church sygkoinōnéō with Paul in his affliction, demonstrating their solidarity and practical support during his imprisonment. This usage underscores the idea of sharing in hardships, burdens, and suffering, a tangible expression of Christian fellowship and love.
* **Revelation 18:4**: "Then I heard another voice from heaven say: 'Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.'" This is the only negative usage of sygkoinōnéō. It serves as a dire warning against complicity with Babylon's sins, lest one also sygkoinōnéō in her impending judgment and plagues. This context reveals the serious implications of shared association and the accountability that comes with it.
### Related Words & Concepts
sygkoinōnéō is intimately connected to a family of Greek words derived from the root κοιν- (koin-), all revolving around the concept of sharing and fellowship:
* **κοινωνέω (G2841)**: The base verb, meaning "to share," "to participate," "to have fellowship." sygkoinōnéō adds the dimension of "togetherness" or "jointly" to this fundamental sharing.
* **κοινωνία (G2842)**: The noun form, signifying "fellowship," "communion," "partnership," or "sharing." It denotes the state or act of sharing in common.
* **κοινωνός (G2844)**: A noun referring to "a partner," "a companion," or "one who shares."
* **συγκληρονόμος (G4789)**: "Co-heir" or "fellow heir," a related term emphasizing shared inheritance.
* **συνεργός (G4900)**: "Fellow worker" or "co-worker," highlighting shared labor.
These related terms collectively paint a picture of the communal and interdependent nature of Christian life, emphasizing mutual participation, shared responsibility, and solidarity within the body of Christ.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of sygkoinōnéō is profound, highlighting several key aspects of Christian existence:
1. **Mutual Participation in the Gospel**: Believers are not merely individual recipients of salvation but are called to sygkoinōnéō in the gospel itself—its message, its power, its mission, and its blessings. This fosters a sense of shared purpose and destiny.
2. **Solidarity in Suffering**: The concept of sygkoinōnéō extends to sharing in the afflictions of Christ and fellow believers. This is a marks of genuine discipleship and a tangible expression of agape love, demonstrating empathy and practical support in times of hardship. It points to the reality that suffering is often a communal experience within the body of Christ.
3. **Reciprocal Obligation and Interdependence**: The mutual sharing implied by sygkoinōnéō creates reciprocal obligations. If one part of the body benefits, it incurs a responsibility to share with other parts, fostering interdependence and preventing isolation within the Christian community.
4. **Warning Against Complicity**: The stark warning in Revelation 18:4 underscores the grave spiritual danger of sygkoinōnéō in sin. It teaches that association with unrighteousness can lead to shared guilt and shared judgment, emphasizing the need for discernment and separation from evil.
5. **Embodiment of Christian Fellowship**: At its heart, sygkoinōnéō encapsulates the active, dynamic nature of Christian fellowship. It moves beyond mere association to active, joint participation in all aspects of the Christian journey—joy and sorrow, blessing and burden, mission and suffering.
### Summary
sygkoinōnéō (G4790) is a powerful Greek verb that denotes deep, mutual participation or co-participation. Formed from σύν (together) and κοινωνέω (to share/have fellowship), it emphasizes a joint involvement that transcends individual experience. Biblically, it describes the sharing of spiritual blessings and material support ([[Romans 15:27]]), participation in the gospel's blessings ([[1 Corinthians 9:23]]), solidarity in affliction ([[Philippians 4:14]]), and critically, the warning against complicity in sin and its consequences ([[Revelation 18:4]]). Theologically, sygkoinōnéō underscores the communal nature of Christian life, highlighting mutual responsibility, solidarity in suffering, and the profound interconnectedness of believers within the body of Christ. It calls for active, discerning, and reciprocal engagement in the shared life of faith.
TRV