### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word συνηλικιώτης (synēlikiṓtēs - `{{G4915}}`) is a compound noun derived from the preposition σύν (syn - `{{G4862}}`), meaning "with" or "together," and ἡλικιώτης (hēlikiṓtēs), which itself stems from ἡλικία (hēlikia - `{{G2244}}`), signifying "age," "stature," or "maturity." Consequently, the core meaning of συνηλικιώτης is "one who is of the same age," "a contemporary," or "an equal in years." The term emphasizes a shared chronological existence or a similar stage of life, denoting a peer relationship based on temporal commonality rather than necessarily a qualitative equality in all respects.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The word συνηλικιώτης (synēlikiṓtēs - `{{G4915}}`) is found only once in the New Testament, specifically in [[Galatians 1:14]]. In this verse, the Apostle Paul recounts his life before his conversion, stating, "and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age (συνηλικιώτης) among my people, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers." The context is Paul's earnest defense of his apostolic authority and the divine origin of his gospel. By using συνηλικιώτης, Paul underscores that his fervent commitment to Judaism and his zealous adherence to ancestral traditions surpassed even that of his contemporaries—those who were his peers in age and shared his cultural and religious background. This statement serves to highlight the extraordinary depth of his former devotion, thereby magnifying the dramatic and unexpected nature of his subsequent conversion to Christ and his embrace of a radically different theological framework.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymology of συνηλικιώτης connects it directly to several significant concepts:
* σύν (syn - `{{G4862}}`): This prefix is crucial, conveying the idea of association, companionship, or simultaneity. It is the element that denotes "togetherness" or "shared" in the compound word.
* ἡλικία (hēlikia - `{{G2244}}`): This root word signifies "age," "stature," or "maturity." It defines the specific basis of the "sameness" or "equality" implied by συνηλικιώτης—namely, a shared temporal or developmental stage.
* The broader concept of "peer group" or "contemporaries" is central to understanding συνηλικιώτης. While not a direct synonym, words like ἴσος (isos - `{{G2470}}`), meaning "equal" or "like," capture the notion of parity, though συνηλικιώτης specifically limits that parity to age. The word belongs to a class of compound nouns formed with σύν to denote shared identity or relationship, such as συνεργός (synergos - `{{G4904}}`, "fellow worker") or συμμαθητής (symmathētēs, "fellow student," though not a Strong's entry).
### Theological Significance
Despite its singular occurrence, the use of συνηλικιώτης in [[Galatians 1:14]] carries profound theological weight, particularly for understanding Paul's personal narrative and the nature of divine calling. It vividly portrays the extent of Paul's commitment to his former life in Judaism, emphasizing that his zeal was not merely average but surpassed that of his chronological peers. This detail serves to underscore the radical and divine intervention that transformed him from a zealous persecutor of the Church into its most fervent apostle. The fact that God chose someone so deeply entrenched and excelling within the Jewish system highlights the sovereign and often counter-intuitive nature of His call. It demonstrates that salvation is not a reward for human effort or religious achievement, but a gracious act of God that can redirect even the most dedicated individuals from their established paths. Paul's surpassing zeal among his συνηλικιώτης makes his subsequent embrace of Christ and the doctrine of justification by faith alone all the more powerful and illustrative of God's transformative power.
### Summary
συνηλικιώτης (synēlikiṓtēs - `{{G4915}}`) is a Greek noun meaning "one of the same age" or "a contemporary," derived from the concepts of "with" (σύν) and "age" (ἡλικία). Its sole appearance in the New Testament is in [[Galatians 1:14]], where the Apostle Paul uses it to describe his pre-conversion life, asserting that his zeal for Judaism surpassed that of his συνηλικιώτης, or peers in age. This specific usage underscores the profound depth of his former commitment and highlights the dramatic nature of his conversion. The word serves as a powerful backdrop to Paul's testimony, emphasizing that God's sovereign call can transform even the most zealous adherents of one system into fervent proponents of another, thereby illustrating the radical and unmerited nature of divine grace.
TRV