Lexical Summary sugkerannumi: To mix together, to blend, to unite Original Word: συγκεράννυμι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance mix with, temper together. From sun and kerannumi; to commingle, i.e. (figuratively) to combine or assimilate -- mix with, temper together. see GREEK sun see GREEK kerannumi HELPS Word-studies 4786 sygkeránnymi (from 4862 /sýn, "identified with," intensifying 2767 /keránnymi, "mix into a new and improved compound") – properly, mix together into a superior compound – "a holistic blend" (unified whole) where the parts work together synergistically. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and kerannumi Definition to mix together, hence to agree with NASB Translation composed (1), united (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4786: συγκεράννυμισυγκεράννυμι (T WH συνκεραννυμι (cf. σύν, II. at the end)): 1 aorist συνεκέρασα; perfect passive participle συγκεκραμένος and in L T Tr WH συγκεκερασμενος (see κεράννυμι, at the beginning); from (Aeschylus, Sophocles), Herodotus down; to mix together, commingle; to unite: συνεκκερασεν τό σῶμα, caused the several parts to combine into an organic structure, which is the body (A. V. tempered the body together), 1 Corinthians 12:24; τί τίνι, to unite one thing to another: οὐκ ὠφέλησεν ... μή συγκεκραμένος (so R G T WH marginal reading, but L Tr WH text συγκεκραμένους) ... ἀκούσασιν, 'the word heard did not profit them, because it had not united itself by faith to (cf. Winers Grammar, § 31, 10; Buttmann, § 133, 13) them that heard,' i. e. because the hearers had not by their faith let it find its way into their minds and made it their own; (or, according to the text of L Tr WH (R. V.), 'because they had not been united by faith with them that heard'), Hebrews 4:2. Topical Lexicon Imagery of Divine MixtureThe verb conveys the picture of different elements being so thoroughly blended that they become one new, harmonious whole. In Classical Greek it was used of wine mixed with water; in Scripture the imagery is elevated to describe the sovereign work of God in uniting what would otherwise remain separate, whether within the physical human body, the church, or the reception of the gospel message. New Testament Usage 1 Corinthians 12:24 portrays God as the Master-Composer who has “composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it.” The word underlines the careful, intentional interweaving of every member so that no part is dispensable and all function together for His glory. Hebrews 4:2 presents the negative counterpart: the good news “was of no value to them, because those who heard it did not combine it with faith.” Here the verb exposes the tragedy of a hearing that remains unmixed with believing trust, leaving the hearer unchanged. Theological Significance Unity in Diversity The Corinthian passage teaches that unity is not achieved by erasing differences but by divinely orchestrating them. Spiritual gifts, social backgrounds, and personal temperaments are blended by the Spirit into one living organism (1 Corinthians 12:13–27). The verb underscores that this unity is neither accidental nor merely organizational; it is the result of God’s creative act. Faith as the Binding Agent Hebrews emphasizes that the same gospel that saves some leaves others unaffected when faith is absent. Hearing and faith must be fused; otherwise, the preached word remains an unassimilated foreign substance. This sharpens the doctrine that saving faith is more than intellectual assent—it is the Spirit-prompted ingredient that binds the word to the heart (James 1:21; Romans 10:17). Old Testament Resonances The Septuagint uses closely related vocabulary when ingredients are mingled for the grain offering (Leviticus 2:4–5) or when incense components are blended (Exodus 30:34-35). Such cultic mixtures foreshadow the perfect “fragrance” of Christ and His people (2 Corinthians 2:15), hinting that divine mixture ultimately produces worship acceptable to God. Historical Interpretation Early church writers saw in 1 Corinthians 12 an apologetic against schism. John Chrysostom noted that God “so mixed the members with one another that they cannot separate,” guarding humility and mutual care. Reformers like John Calvin stressed Hebrews 4:2 to oppose mere sacramentalism: without faith, the external word and ordinances profit nothing. Practical Ministry Applications Discipleship and Gift Deployment Pastoral leaders should foster environments where diverse gifts are intentionally intertwined, not siloed. Ministry teams should be built on complementary differences, illustrating the Creator’s artistry rather than human preference. Preaching and Teaching Every sermon must aim at the hearer’s faith response. Exegetical accuracy, while essential, must be mingled with earnest calls to believe, lest hearers repeat the wilderness generation’s unbelief (Hebrews 3:16-19). Counseling and Spiritual Formation Spiritual truths are to be joined with obedient faith in everyday practice. Counsel that merely informs but does not guide toward trust-filled obedience leaves counselees intellectually stimulated yet spiritually stagnant. Doctrinal Reminders • God alone produces authentic unity; human engineering cannot replicate the Spirit’s handiwork. Related Concepts and Cross-References Unity of the Body – Ephesians 4:15-16; Colossians 2:19 Word and Faith – Romans 1:16-17; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Divine Sovereignty in Composition – Psalm 139:13-16; Isaiah 64:8 Summary Strong’s Greek 4786 portrays God’s skilled interweaving—of body parts, of believers within the church, and of the preached word with faith. Scripture presents this mixture as both a gift to be celebrated and a warning against unbelief, calling every generation to trust the divine Mixer who alone can fashion separate elements into one Christ-honoring whole. Forms and Transliterations συγκεκερασμένους συγκεκραμένους συγκερατισθήσεται συνεκέρασε συνεκερασεν συνεκέρασεν συνκεκερασμενους συνκεκερασμένους sunekerasen sunkekerasmenous synekerasen synekérasen synkekerasmenous syn'kekerasménousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Corinthians 12:24 V-AIA-3SGRK: ὁ θεὸς συνεκέρασεν τὸ σῶμα NAS: [of it]. But God has [so] composed the body, KJV: the body together, having given INT: God tempered together the body Hebrews 4:2 V-RPM/P-AMP Strong's Greek 4786 |
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