4852. sumphémi
Lexical Summary
sumphémi: To bring together, to be profitable, to be expedient.

Original Word: συμφέρω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sumphémi
Pronunciation: soom-FAY-mee
Phonetic Spelling: (soom'-fay-mee)
KJV: consent unto
NASB: agree
Word Origin: [from G4862 (σύν - along) and G5346 (φημί - said)]

1. to say jointly, i.e. assent to

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
consent unto.

From sun and phemi; to say jointly, i.e. Assent to -- consent unto.

see GREEK sun

see GREEK phemi

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from sun and phémi
Definition
to say together, i.e. consent
NASB Translation
agree (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4852: σύμφημι

σύμφημι (T WH συνφημι (cf. σύν, II. at the end)); to consent, confess: τίνι; followed by ὅτι, Romans 7:16. (Tragg., Xenophon, Plato.)

STRONGS NT 4852a: σύμφοροςσύμφορος, σύμφορον (συμφέρω, which see), fit, suitable, useful; from (Hesiod, Theognis), Herodotus down; 4 Macc. 5:10; a substantive, τό σύμφορον, advantage, profit: with a genitive of the person profited, L T Tr WH in 1 Corinthians 7:35; 1 Corinthians 10:33 (cf. Buttmann, § 127, 19 n.) (plural τό συμφορά, often in secular authors (from Sophocles down)).

Topical Lexicon
Overview of Term and Occurrence

Strong’s Greek 4852, σύμφημι, appears once in the New Testament, Romans 7:16, where Paul writes, “And if I do what I do not want, I consent to the law that it is good” (Berean Standard Bible). The verb pictures an inward acknowledgment that aligns one’s words with an established truth, emphasizing active agreement rather than mere passive recognition.

Context within Romans 7

Romans 7 forms part of Paul’s larger argument about the function of the Mosaic Law in revealing sin (Romans 3:20; 5:20). In verses 14–25 Paul describes the believer’s struggle with indwelling sin. By employing σύμφημι in verse 16, Paul indicates that even when his actions conflict with his renewed desires, his mind still “speaks with” the Law, affirming its goodness. This highlights a tension: the Law is good, yet the flesh remains weak (Romans 7:18). The use of σύμφημι underscores that agreement with God’s standard is a mark of regeneration; the unregenerate may acknowledge the Law intellectually but lack true inward assent (Romans 8:7).

Theological Significance

1. Affirmation of Divine Law: σύμφημι serves as a verbal witness that God’s commandments reflect His holy character (Psalm 19:7; Romans 7:12).
2. Evidence of Inner Renewal: The believer’s consent testifies to the Spirit’s work in aligning the conscience with God’s truth (Romans 2:15; Hebrews 10:16).
3. Conviction of Sin: Agreement with the Law heightens awareness of personal transgression, driving the believer to Christ for deliverance (Romans 7:24–25; Galatians 3:24).
4. Harmony with the Gospel: While the Law is affirmed, righteousness is ultimately secured in Christ, not in law-keeping (Romans 8:3–4; Philippians 3:9).

Historical and Cultural Background

In classical Greek, σύμφημι could describe witnesses giving corroborating testimony. Within Second Temple Judaism, verbal assent carried covenantal weight (Deuteronomy 27:15–26, where Israel answers “Amen” to curses). Paul’s choice of the term evokes a legal courtroom sense: the law stands as prosecuting witness, and the renewed conscience takes the stand to agree with its verdict.

Connections with Old Testament Law

Paul’s language echoes Psalm 51:4, where David admits, “so that You may be justified in Your words.” Like David, Paul acknowledges that any failure resides in human sinfulness, not in the statute itself. By consenting, the believer vindicates God’s Law against all accusations that it promotes sin (Romans 7:13).

Implications for Personal Sanctification

• Self-examination: Regular Scripture intake enables believers to voice agreement with God’s standards, leading to confession and growth (1 John 1:8–9).
• Renewed Mind: Romans 12:2 calls for transformation through mind-renewal; σύμφημι illustrates the beginning of that process—aligning thought with truth even before conduct is perfected.
• Assurance: Ongoing consent to God’s Law, even amid struggle, evidences genuine faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).

Implications for Corporate Ministry

• Preaching: Faithful exposition should press hearers to agree with God about sin and righteousness (Acts 2:36–37).
• Discipline and Restoration: An erring believer’s willingness to “say with” Scripture validates repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10–11).
• Worship: Corporate confession (Nehemiah 9:3; 1 John 1:9) embodies σύμφημι, uniting the congregation in acknowledgment of God’s holiness.

Homiletical and Pastoral Applications

1. Counseling: Encourage counselees to articulate agreement with specific biblical truths; this verbal alignment aids repentance.
2. Catechesis: Teach new believers the goodness of God’s commands (1 Timothy 1:8) so their consciences can resonate with Scripture.
3. Evangelism: Show unbelievers how the moral law they intuitively acknowledge (Romans 2:14–16) points to their need for the gospel.

Conclusion

Though appearing only once, σύμφημι provides a vital glimpse into the believer’s inner life: an ongoing, Spirit-wrought confession that God’s Law is good, even when conduct lags behind conviction. This consenting voice affirms Scripture’s authority, magnifies the grace found in Jesus Christ, and motivates practical holiness until the struggle with sin is finally ended in glory.

Forms and Transliterations
σύμφημι συμφλέγοντες συμφοράσουσιν συμφράξει συμφρυγήσονται συνεφρύγησαν συνφημι σύνφημι sumphemi sumphēmi symphemi symphēmi sýmphemi sýmphēmi
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Englishman's Concordance
Romans 7:16 V-PI-1S
GRK: τοῦτο ποιῶ σύμφημι τῷ νόμῳ
NAS: I do not want [to do], I agree with the Law, [confessing] that the Law
KJV: not, I consent unto the law
INT: this I practice I consent to the law

Strong's Greek 4852
1 Occurrence


σύμφημι — 1 Occ.

4851b
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