4821. sumbasileuó

Lexical Summary

sumbasileuó: To reign together, to co-reign

Original Word: συμβασιλεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sumbasileuó
Pronunciation: soom-bas-il-YOO-oh
Phonetic Spelling: (soom-bas-il-yoo'-o)
KJV: reign with
NASB: reign
Word Origin: [from G4862 (σύν - along) and G936 (βασιλεύω - reign)]

1. to be co-regent (figuratively)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

reign with.

From sun and basileuo; to be co-regent (figuratively) -- reign with.

see GREEK sun

see GREEK basileuo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from sun and basileuó
Definition
to reign with
NASB Translation
reign (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4821: συμβασιλεύω

συμβασιλεύω (T συνβασιλεύω so now WH (in examples as below); cf. σύν, v, II. at the end): future συμβασιλεύσω; 1 aorist συνεβασίλευσα; to reign together: τίνι, with one; properly, Polybius 30, 2, 4; Lucian, dial. deor. 16, 2; often in Plutarch (also in Dionysius Halicarnassus, Strabo); metaphorically, to possess supreme honor, liberty, blessedness, with one in the kingdom of God: 1 Corinthians 4:8 (cf. Winers Grammar, 41 b. 5 N. 2; Buttmann, § 139, 10); 2 Timothy 2:12; see βαιλεύω.

Topical Lexicon

Shared Reigning in the New Testament Framework

Symbasileuō (Strong’s 4821) denotes the act of “reigning together” and appears in Scripture to underscore the believer’s participation in Christ’s royal authority. The term is both eschatological—pointing to the coming kingdom—and ethical—calling present faithfulness that anticipates that future honor.

Biblical Occurrences and Immediate Contexts

• 1 Corinthians 4:8 speaks with Pauline irony. The Corinthians presumed they were already enthroned: “You have begun to reign—without us—and how I wish you really did reign, so that we also might reign with you!” Paul contrasts premature triumphalism with apostolic suffering, reserving true shared rule for the consummation of the age.
• 2 Timothy 2:12 presents the term in a promise conditioned on perseverance: “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us.” Here shared reigning is inseparably linked to steadfast loyalty amid trial.

Union with Christ and Co-Reigning

Scripture unites believers to Christ in death, resurrection, and exaltation (Romans 6:5; Ephesians 2:6). Symbasileuō completes this chain: those crucified and raised with Christ will one day sit with Him. The idea harmonizes with Revelation 3:21, where the victorious saint is granted to “sit with Me on My throne.”

Eschatological Hope

Symbasileuō anchors the church’s anticipation of the millennial and eternal kingdoms. Revelation 20:4-6 describes saints who “came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years,” while Revelation 22:5 extends that reign “forever and ever.” The two New Testament uses of 4821 assume this prophetic horizon, ensuring that present affliction finds its resolution in future glory (Romans 8:17-18).

Historical Reception in the Church

Early church fathers (e.g., Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.32.1) saw in 2 Timothy 2:12 a literal reign with Christ on earth. Medieval theology often spiritualized the promise, restricting it to heavenly bliss. The Reformers recovered a robust eschatological dimension, tying it to the sure return of Christ and final judgment. Conservative evangelical scholarship today continues to affirm a real, bodily reign of believers aligned with Christ’s consummated kingdom.

Ethical and Ministry Implications

1. Perseverance: Endurance in opposition is not optional but foundational to future participation in Christ’s rule (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 2:26-27).
2. Humility: Like Paul, ministers resist triumphal self-promotion, remembering that coronation follows the cross (1 Corinthians 4:9-13).
3. Discipleship: Teaching on co-reigning fosters a pilgrim attitude—believers serve as stewards now, heirs later (Galatians 4:7).
4. Suffering Solidarity: Shared suffering precedes shared sovereignty; comforting the persecuted includes reminding them of forthcoming royal honor (Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 4:13).

Pastoral Application

Symbasileuō encourages congregations to measure success not by present acclaim but by fidelity that leads to eternal reward. Preachers may pair 2 Timothy 2:12 with the Lord’s promise in Luke 22:29-30, “I bestow on you a kingdom… that you may sit at My table,” affirming that every act of steadfast obedience participates in the unfolding kingdom narrative.

Summary

Strong’s 4821 calls believers to live between the “already” of spiritual resurrection and the “not yet” of visible reign. Grounded in the cross and resurrection, it supplies resilience for trial, direction for ministry, and unshakeable confidence that those who endure with Christ will indeed reign together with Him.

Forms and Transliterations

συμβασιλεύσομεν συμβασιλεύσωμεν συμβασταχθήσεται συνβασιλευσομεν συνβασιλεύσομεν συνβασιλευσωμεν συνβασιλεύσωμεν sumbasileusomen sumbasileusōmen symbasileusomen symbasileusōmen symbasileúsomen symbasileúsōmen

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 4:8 V-ASA-1P
GRK: ἡμεῖς ὑμῖν συμβασιλεύσωμεν
NAS: so that we also might reign with you.
KJV: we also might reign with you.
INT: we you might reign with

2 Timothy 2:12 V-FIA-1P
GRK: ὑπομένομεν καὶ συμβασιλεύσομεν εἰ ἀρνησόμεθα
NAS: we will also reign with Him; If
KJV: also reign with [him]: if
INT: we endure also we will reign together if we deny [him]

Strong's Greek 4821
2 Occurrences

συμβασιλεύσωμεν — 1 Occ.
συμβασιλεύσομεν — 1 Occ.