from σύν and (to force; causative (by reduplication) of the base of βάσις); to drive together, i.e. unite (in association or affection), (mentally) to infer, show, teach:--compact, assuredly gather, intrust, knit together, prove.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **symbibázō**, represented by `{{G4822}}`, carries the core meaning of driving or bringing things together. It appears 6 times across 6 unique verses in scripture. While its base definition is about uniting or compacting, it is also used to describe the mental process of inferring, showing, teaching, or proving a matter.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In its biblical usage, `{{G4822}}` describes both relational unity and logical demonstration. For unity, the hearts of believers are **knit together** in love [[Colossians 2:2]], and the church, as the body of Christ, is described as **compacted** by that which every joint supplies [[Ephesians 4:16]]. This spiritual joining together allows the body to increase with the increase of God [[Colossians 2:19]]. For logical demonstration, the word is used when Saul was in Damascus, **proving** that Jesus is the Christ [[Acts 9:22]]. It is also used when the apostles were **assuredly gathering** from a vision what the Lord had called them to do [[Acts 16:10]]. Finally, it is used in a question about who could **instruct** the Lord [[1 Corinthians 2:16]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the meaning of `{{G4822}}`:
* `{{G4883}}` **synarmologéō** (to render close-jointed together): Used alongside `{{G4822}}` in [[Ephesians 4:16]], this word for being **fitly joined together** emphasizes the precise and perfect way the body of Christ is constructed and unified.
* `{{G4886}}` **sýndesmos** (a joint tie, i.e. ligament, (figuratively) uniting principle, control): This word for **bands** shows the means by which the body is **knit together**. It highlights the spiritual ligaments that provide nourishment and maintain unity in the church [[Colossians 2:19]].
* `{{G4907}}` **sýnesis** (a mental putting together, i.e. intelligence or (concretely) the intellect): This term for **understanding** is the goal of being knit together in love, leading to the full assurance of **understanding** and the acknowledgement of the mystery of God [[Colossians 2:2]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G4822}}` is significant in two main areas:
* **The Unity of the Church:** The word is foundational to understanding ecclesiology. It describes how individual believers are **compacted** [[Ephesians 4:16]] and **knit together** [[Colossians 2:19]] into a single, living organism. This unity is not merely social but is a spiritual reality established in **love** `{{G26}}` and sourced from Christ, the **Head** `{{G2776}}`.
* **The Assurance of Faith:** `{{G4822}}` shows that faith is not a blind leap but is based on evidence and sound conclusion. Saul was **proving** that Jesus is the Christ, presenting a logical case [[Acts 9:22]]. The apostles were **assuredly gathering** God's will, demonstrating a process of concluding truth from divine revelation [[Acts 16:10]]. This connects intellectual understanding with spiritual truth.
### Summary
In summary, `{{G4822}}` is a powerful word that connects the concepts of relational unity and cognitive certainty. It demonstrates how the body of Christ is both **compacted** together in love and built upon the logical foundation of **proving** who Christ is. It teaches that being brought together into a unified body is directly linked to the process of understanding and being assured of divine truth.
TRV