Lexical Summary sumbouleuó: To advise, to counsel, to deliberate Original Word: συμβουλεύω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance deliberate, plot, adviseFrom sun and bouleuo; to give (or take) advice jointly, i.e. Recommend, deliberate or determine -- consult, (give, take) counsel (together). see GREEK sun see GREEK bouleuo HELPS Word-studies 4823 symbouleúō (from 4862 /sýn, "identify with" and 1011 /bouleúō, "to plan," which is derived from 1012 /boulḗ, "a resolute plan") – properly, to consult (counsel) together, like when people plan something out together with high resolve (keeping to their pre-set goals). The only positive use of 4823 (symbouleúō) occurs in Rev 3:18 which refers to the triune God – showing the three eternal Persons of the Godhead working in mutual resolve (holy agreement). ["Buy from Me" tacitly alludes to the tri-personal nature of the Lord, revealed by the glorified Christ.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and bouleuó Definition to take counsel together, advise NASB Translation advise (1), advised (1), plotted together (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4823: συμβουλεύωσυμβουλεύω; 1 aorist συνεβούλευσα; 1 aorist middle συνεβουλευσαμην; from (Theognis, Sophocles), Herodotus down; the Sept. for יָעַץ; and נועַץ; 1. to give counsel: τίνι, John 18:14; followed by an infinitive Revelation 3:18. 2. Middle, to take counsel with others, take counsel together, to consult, deliberate: followed by ἵνα (see ἵνα, II. 2 a.), Matthew 26:4; John 11:53 (R G Tr marginal reading); followed by a telic infinitive, Acts 9:23." Topical Lexicon Overview of UsageStrong’s Greek 4823 appears only four times in the New Testament. In each instance it denotes deliberate, strategic counsel—sometimes benevolent, sometimes treacherous—revealing the decisive role of advice in the unfolding of redemptive history. Key Occurrences • Matthew 26:4 – Religious leaders “conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill Him.” Perverted Counsel Against the Righteous In Matthew 26:4, John 18:14, and Acts 9:23 the term is linked with murderous plotting. Human counsel is here weaponized against God’s servants—first the sinless Son, then His chosen apostle. Scripture exposes such counsel not merely as poor advice but as rebellion against divine purpose (Psalm 2:1-3). The repeated pattern warns believers to test every recommendation against the revealed will of God. Faithful Counsel from the Risen Christ Revelation 3:18 provides the lone positive usage, highlighting the superior wisdom of the Lord who says, “I counsel you….” His offer contrasts sharply with human scheming: earthly leaders seek to silence truth by violence, whereas Christ offers restorative counsel that heals spiritual poverty, nakedness, and blindness. The verse underscores the sufficiency of Christ’s guidance for a complacent church. Theology of Counsel 1. Divine Sovereignty over Human Plans – Though conspirators plot evil, God overrules their schemes for redemptive ends (Genesis 50:20; Acts 2:23). Old Testament Parallels • 2 Samuel 15:31 – Ahithophel’s betrayal of David foreshadows conspiracies against Christ. Historical Context Caiaphas’ advice in John 18:14 reflected real-time political pragmatism; he reasoned that sacrificing one man would preserve national stability under Rome. Similarly, Acts 9:23 portrays synagogue leaders protecting traditional power structures. First-century conspiracies thus illustrate how spiritual blindness fuels destructive counsel. Ministry Applications • Discernment – Church leaders must evaluate counsel through prayer and Scripture, avoiding reliance on merely expedient strategies. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 4823 reminds the reader that counsel shapes destinies. Whether employed for evil or for good, its power is undeniable. Scripture directs the faithful to reject conspiratorial schemes and to embrace the life-giving counsel offered by the risen Christ, whose words remain the ultimate guide for belief and practice. Forms and Transliterations συμβεβούλευσαι συμβουλεύετε συμβουλεύοντες συμβουλευσάμενος συμβουλευσας συμβουλεύσας συμβουλεύσω συμβουλευω συμβουλεύω συμβουλεύων συμβουλίαι συμβουλίαν συμβουλίας συνεβούλευσα συνεβουλευσαντο συνεβουλεύσαντο συνεβουλεύσατο συνεβούλευσεν sumbouleuo sumbouleuō sumbouleusas sunebouleusanto symbouleuo symbouleuō symbouleúo symbouleúō symbouleusas symbouleúsas synebouleusanto synebouleúsantoLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 26:4 V-AIM-3PGRK: καὶ συνεβουλεύσαντο ἵνα τὸν NAS: and they plotted together to seize KJV: And consulted that they might take INT: and they plotted together in order that John 18:14 V-APA-NMS Acts 9:23 V-AIM-3P Revelation 3:18 V-PIA-1S Strong's Greek 4823 |
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