### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb συμμορφόω (symmorphóō, `{{G4833}}`) is derived from σύμμορφος (symmorphos, `{{G4832}}`), which itself is a compound of συν- (syn-), meaning "with" or "together," and μορφή (morphē), meaning "form" or "shape." Thus, the base meaning of συμμορφόω is "to render like," "to assimilate," or "to make conformable unto." It implies a transformation into a shared form or likeness with something or someone else. The active voice suggests an agent causing this conformity, while the passive or middle voice would indicate the subject being conformed. The nuance of "conformity" here is profound, suggesting not merely an external resemblance but an internal, intrinsic alignment with a particular pattern or essence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb συμμορφόω (symmorphóō, `{{G4833}}`) appears only once in the New Testament, in [[Philippians 3:10]]. In this pivotal passage, the Apostle Paul articulates a profound spiritual desire: "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being συμμορφιζόμενος (symmorphizomenos) to His death."
Here, the participle συμμορφιζόμενος is in the present middle/passive voice, indicating an ongoing process or a state into which Paul is being brought. Paul's desire is not merely to understand Christ's death intellectually, but to experientially share in its nature, to be "made conformable" to it. This conformity to Christ's death implies an embrace of suffering, self-denial, and the dying to self that characterized Christ's earthly life and culminated in His crucifixion. It is a profound identification with the suffering Messiah, recognizing that the path to resurrection power is intrinsically linked to the fellowship of His sufferings. This verse underscores the active and experiential dimension of the believer's walk, where conformity to Christ's death is a necessary prerequisite for knowing the power of His resurrection.
### Related Words & Concepts
To fully appreciate συμμορφόω (symmorphóō, `{{G4833}}`), it is crucial to examine its cognates and related terms:
* **σύμμορφος (symmorphos, `{{G4832}}`):** This adjective, meaning "conformed to" or "similar in form," appears twice in the New Testament.
* In [[Romans 8:29]], believers are "predestined to be συνμόρφους (symmorphous) to the image of His Son." This highlights God's ultimate purpose for humanity: conformity to Christ's divine image, encompassing both character and glory.
* In [[Philippians 3:21]], it speaks of Christ "who will μετασχηματίσει (metaschēmatisei, `{{G3339}}`) our humble body into σύμμορφον (symmorphon) with the body of His glory." This refers to the eschatological transformation of the believer's physical body, mirroring Christ's glorified resurrection body.
* **μεταμορφόω (metamorphoō, `{{G3339}}`):** Meaning "to transform" or "to change into another form," this verb is used in passages like [[Romans 12:2]] ("be μεταμορφοῦσθε (metamorphousthe) by the renewing of your mind") and [[2 Corinthians 3:18]] ("are being μεταμορφούμεθα (metamorphoumetha) into the same image from glory to glory"). While μεταμορφόω speaks of a general transformation, συμμορφόω and σύμμορφος specify the *target* of that transformation: conformity *to Christ's form/image*.
* **εἰκών (eikōn, `{{G1504}}`):** "Image" or "likeness." The concept of being conformed to Christ's "image" is central, as seen in [[Romans 8:29]].
* **ὁμοιόω (homoioō, `{{G3666}}`):** A more general term meaning "to make like" or "to liken." συμμορφόω implies a deeper, more intrinsic sharing of form and essence, beyond mere resemblance.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of συμμορφόω (symmorphóō, `{{G4833}}`) is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Christ-likeness as God's Purpose:** At its core, this word underscores God's ultimate redemptive purpose for humanity: to be conformed to the image of His Son. This is not merely an ethical ideal but a divine decree and a transformative work.
2. **Sanctification through Suffering:** The specific use in [[Philippians 3:10]] reveals that conformity to Christ's death is an essential aspect of the believer's sanctification. It is through sharing in His sufferings—embracing self-denial, enduring hardship for the gospel, and dying to sin—that believers experience the power of His resurrection and grow in Christ-likeness. This is an active, ongoing process, not a static state.
3. **Union with Christ:** The concept of being "conformed" implies a deep, mystical union with Christ. It is not just about imitating Christ externally, but about an internal, spiritual assimilation into His very nature, particularly His self-sacrificial life and death.
4. **Eschatological Hope:** While συμμορφόω focuses on the present experience of suffering, the related σύμμορφος (`{{G4832}}`) points to the future glorious transformation of the believer's body at Christ's return, completing the conformity to His glorious image.
5. **Divine Initiative and Human Participation:** While the ultimate conformity to Christ's image is a work of God's predestining grace, συμμορφόω in [[Philippians 3:10]] highlights the believer's active desire and participation in this process, willingly embracing the path Christ walked.
### Summary
The Greek verb συμμορφόω (symmorphóō, `{{G4833}}`) signifies the profound process of being "made conformable" or "assimilated" into a shared form. Its singular occurrence in [[Philippians 3:10]] powerfully reveals the Apostle Paul's desire to experientially share in Christ's death, embracing suffering as a pathway to knowing resurrection power. This word, along with its cognate σύμμορφος (`{{G4832}}`), encapsulates the overarching divine purpose for believers: to be transformed into the image of God's Son, encompassing present sanctification through suffering and future glorious bodily transformation. It speaks to a deep, intrinsic union with Christ, where the believer's life increasingly mirrors the very form and character of the Savior.
TRV