Lexical Summary sumparakaleó: To comfort together, to encourage together, to exhort together Original Word: συμπαρακαλέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance comfort together. From sun and parakaleo; to console jointly -- comfort together. see GREEK sun see GREEK parakaleo HELPS Word-studies 4837 symparakaléō (from 4862 /sýn, "together with" and 3870 /parakaléō, "to urge (exhort) – properly, affirm together, as people who are intimately joined heartily agree about what God says (used only in Ro 1:12). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and parakaleó Definition to exhort together, pass. to be strengthened with NASB Translation encouraged together (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4837: συμπαρακαλέωσυμπαρακαλέω (T WH συνπαρακαλέω (cf. σύν, II. at the end)), συμπαρακάλω: 1 aorist passive infinitive συμπαρακληθῆναι; 1. to call upon or invite or exhort at the same time or together (Xenophon, Plato, Plutarch, others). 2. to strengthen (A. V. comfort) with others (souls; see παρακαλέω, II. 4): συμπαρακληθῆναι ἐν ὑμῖν, that I with you may be comforted among you, i. e. in your assembly, with you, Romans 1:12. Strong’s Greek 4837 (συμπαρακαλέω) expresses the idea of “calling alongside together.” The term emphasizes reciprocity: encouragement is not delivered from a superior to an inferior but shared among believers who stand shoulder to shoulder. The prefixed prepositions συν- (“with”) and παρά- (“alongside”) intensify the core verb καλέω (“to call”), yielding a picture of believers summoning one another to persevere in faith, hope, and love. Biblical Occurrence: Romans 1:12 Paul employs the verb once in the New Testament: “that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Romans 1:12). Writing to a congregation he had never met, Paul underscores that apostolic authority does not negate his need for the body; rather, spiritual vitality flows in both directions. The verse stands as a canonical witness that every Christian—regardless of office—both gives and receives encouragement in Christ. Theological Implications 1. Equality in Grace Mutual encouragement presupposes that every believer shares the same standing in Christ (Galatians 3:28). The Spirit gifts each member for the edification of all (1 Corinthians 12:7). Paul’s wording dismantles any notion of a one-sided ministry model. 2. Communal Faith as Means of Perseverance Faith is personal yet never private. Romans 1:12 links perseverance to shared testimony: as believers recount God’s faithfulness, confidence in the gospel deepens (Philippians 1:27). 3. Christ as the Ultimate Paraklētos The mutual aspect reflects the ministry of the risen Lord who, through the Spirit, “comes alongside” His people (John 14:16). When believers συμπαρακαλέω one another, they mediate Christ’s own consoling presence. Mutual Encouragement in the Wider Canon Though the exact verb appears only in Romans 1:12, the concept saturates Scripture: • Hebrews 10:24–25 – assembling together to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” These passages demonstrate that συμπαρακαλέω is a focused expression of a broader biblical mandate. Practical Ministry Applications • Worship Gatherings: Corporate singing and public testimony allow mutual reinforcement of truth. Historical Development in the Church Early Christian writers highlighted the practice. Ignatius urged the church in Ephesus to “refresh” (παρακαλεῖν) one another in unity. Monastic communities framed daily offices around Psalms for mutual edification. During the Reformation, congregational hymnody allowed the laity to preach to one another in song, a living out of Romans 1:12. Modern small-group movements continue this trajectory, reclaiming the priesthood of all believers. Contemporary Relevance In an age of individualism, συμπαρακαλέω calls the church back to embodied fellowship. Digital communication can supplement but never replace face-to-face participation in the gospel. Churches that cultivate reciprocal encouragement see reduced burnout, increased resilience under persecution, and more vibrant witness to the world (John 13:35). Summary συμπαρακαλέω encapsulates God’s design for a community where every believer both gives and receives grace. Paul’s single use of the term in Romans 1:12 radiates through the entire biblical narrative, urging the church in every generation to gather, speak, sing, pray, and serve so that “we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” |
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