### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb συμπάσχω (sympáschō), `{{G4841}}`, is a compound word formed from the preposition σύν (syn), meaning "with" or "together," and the verb πάσχω (páschō), `{{G3958}}`, meaning "to suffer," "to experience," or "to undergo." Therefore, its core meaning is "to suffer with," "to experience pain jointly," or "to undergo together." This term emphasizes a shared experience of hardship or affliction, not merely an observation of another's suffering, but a participation in it. While πάσχω can denote any experience, συμπάσχω is almost exclusively used in the context of enduring distress, particularly persecution, alongside others. It conveys a deep sense of solidarity and shared vulnerability in the face of adversity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term συμπάσχω `{{G4841}}` appears in two significant passages in the New Testament, each shedding light on a crucial aspect of Christian life and community:
1. **Romans 8:17**: "and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we συμπάσχω (suffer with) Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."
Here, the suffering is explicitly linked to Christ. It is not suffering *for* Christ in the sense of a substitutionary atonement, but suffering *with* Him, implying a participation in the experiences that marked His earthly life—rejection, tribulation, and self-denial for the sake of righteousness. This verse posits a profound connection between the believer's present experience of hardship and their future glorification alongside Christ. The suffering is presented as a necessary condition or pathway to co-heirship and shared glory, underscoring the intimate union between Christ and His followers. It suggests that the Christian life, in its authentic expression, will inevitably involve a measure of shared suffering with the Lord.
2. **1 Corinthians 12:26**: "And if one member πάσχω (suffers), all the members συμπάσχω (suffer with it); if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
In this passage, συμπάσχω `{{G4841}}` is used within the context of Paul's analogy of the church as the body of Christ. The focus here shifts from suffering with Christ to suffering *with fellow believers*. This verse highlights the organic unity and interdependence within the Christian community. When one part of the body experiences affliction, the entire body is affected and experiences that suffering collectively. This is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment of another's pain but a visceral, empathetic participation in it. It underscores the call to profound solidarity, mutual care, and active compassion among believers, demonstrating that the well-being of each member is inextricably linked to the well-being of the whole.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding συμπάσχω `{{G4841}}` includes several related terms and concepts that deepen its meaning:
* **πάσχω (páschō), `{{G3958}}`**: The root verb, meaning "to suffer," "to experience," or "to undergo." συμπάσχω specifies the *shared* nature of this experience.
* **συμπαθέω (sympathéō), `{{G4834}}`**: "to sympathize," "to feel with." While closely related, συμπάσχω emphasizes the *actual shared experience* of suffering, whereas συμπαθέω focuses more on the *feeling of compassion* or empathy for someone's suffering. However, true συμπάσχω often involves συμπαθέω.
* **συμπαθής (sympathēs), `{{G4835}}`**: An adjective meaning "sympathetic" or "fellow-feeling."
* **συνκοινωνός (synkoinōnos), `{{G4791}}` / συνκοινωνέω (synkoinōneō), `{{G4790}}`**: "fellow partaker" or "to share with." These terms emphasize joint participation and partnership, which is a broader concept but certainly encompasses the idea of sharing in suffering.
* **θλίψις (thlipsis), `{{G2347}}`**: "tribulation," "affliction," "distress." This is a common form of suffering that believers are called to συμπάσχω `{{G4841}}` in.
* **διωγμός (diōgmos), `{{G1375}}`**: "persecution." As noted in the base definition, συμπάσχω often relates specifically to enduring persecution alongside others.
* **Solidarity and Empathy**: These are core concepts illuminated by συμπάσχω `{{G4841}}`. The term moves beyond mere pity to an active identification with the suffering of others, whether Christ or fellow believers.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of συμπάσχω `{{G4841}}` is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Christological Union**: The concept of suffering συμπάσχω with Christ (Romans 8:17) highlights the deep, mystical union between believers and their Lord. It means that the Christian life is not merely an imitation of Christ, but a participation in His very life, which included suffering. This suffering is a mark of authentic discipleship and a sign of being truly "in Christ." It is through this shared experience that believers are progressively conformed to His image, even in His humiliation, paving the way for shared exaltation.
2. **Ecclesiological Unity**: In the context of the church as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:26), συμπάσχω `{{G4841}}` underscores the essential unity and interdependence of believers. It challenges individualism and calls for a corporate consciousness where the pain of one member is genuinely felt by all. This fosters a community characterized by authentic empathy, mutual support, and practical care, reflecting the very nature of Christ's love for His body. It is a powerful theological basis for Christian solidarity with the persecuted church globally.
3. **Eschatological Hope**: Romans 8:17 links present suffering συμπάσχω with future glory. This imbues Christian suffering with redemptive purpose and hope. It is not meaningless pain but a pathway to ultimate vindication and glorification with Christ. This perspective transforms suffering from a dreaded burden into a significant aspect of the journey toward eternal inheritance. It assures believers that their temporal afflictions are light and momentary compared to the eternal weight of glory that awaits them.
4. **Ethical Imperative**: The biblical use of συμπάσχω `{{G4841}}` serves as a powerful ethical imperative for believers. It calls for active, compassionate engagement with the suffering of others, both within and outside the church. It moves beyond passive sympathy to an active sharing in the burdens and afflictions of those who suffer for righteousness' sake or simply as part of the human condition.
### Summary
συμπάσχω `{{G4841}}` is a potent Greek verb meaning "to suffer with" or "to experience pain jointly." Its two primary biblical occurrences reveal critical aspects of Christian life:
1. **Suffering with Christ**: In [[Romans 8:17]], it describes the believer's intimate participation in Christ's earthly experience of suffering, which is a prerequisite for co-heirship and future glory. This highlights the profound union between Christ and His followers.
2. **Suffering with fellow believers**: In [[1 Corinthians 12:26]], it illustrates the organic unity of the church, the body of Christ, where the suffering of one member is shared by all. This underscores the call to deep empathy, solidarity, and mutual care within the Christian community.
Ultimately, συμπάσχω `{{G4841}}` encapsulates a core truth of Christian discipleship: that the path of faith involves shared hardship, whether with the Lord Himself or with His people. This shared suffering is not without purpose; it is a mark of authentic union, a catalyst for corporate unity, and a pathway to ultimate glorification.
TRV