Lexical Summary sumphuletés: Fellow tribesman, compatriot Original Word: συμφυλετής Strong's Exhaustive Concordance countryman. From sun and a derivative of phule; a co-tribesman, i.e. Native of the same country -- countryman. see GREEK sun see GREEK phule NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and phulé Definition a fellow tribesman or countryman NASB Translation countrymen (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4853: συμφυλέτηςσυμφυλέτης, συμφυλετου, ὁ (σύν and φυλή; see συμμαθητής), one who is of the same people, a fellow-countryman, (Vulg.contribulis): 1 Thessalonians 2:14. (Ecclesiastical writings.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence 1 Thessalonians 2:14: “For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea: you suffered from your own countrymen the same things they suffered from the Jews.” The Spirit-guided choice of συμφυλετῶν highlights the sorrowful irony that persecution can arise not only from foreign powers but from one’s closest kin. Historical Backdrop in Thessalonica Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians after a forced departure from the Macedonian city (Acts 17:1-10). Thessalonica’s synagogue had produced both converts and hostility; local civic leaders were also stirred up by jealous countrymen. In that environment, the fledgling church—composed of Jews and God-fearing Greeks—endured assaults instigated by people of their own civic and ethnic community. By drawing a direct parallel with the Judean churches, Paul assures the Thessalonians that their suffering is neither new nor meaningless but a continuation of a pattern seen wherever the gospel takes root. Tribal Solidarity and Its Limits in Scripture From the divisions of the sons of Jacob (Genesis 49) to the territorial allotments under Joshua, Israel’s life was organized tribally. Tribal kinship was designed for mutual support (Deuteronomy 33:6-25). Yet Scripture repeatedly records moments when that solidarity collapses under unbelief: Thus tribal identity, while a divine gift for societal order, cannot guarantee true covenant fidelity. The gospel exposes this limitation by forming a new household that transcends bloodlines. Suffering from One’s Own People Jesus warned, “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household” (Matthew 10:36, quoting Micah 7:6). Persecution by countrymen fulfills that warning: The term συμφυλετῶν captures that paradox: those who should have been natural allies become adversaries when confronted by the gospel’s demands. Implications for Christian Identity 1. Spiritual family supersedes tribal ties. In Christ, Jews and Gentiles are “fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19). Pastoral and Missional Application • Encourage converts facing hostility within their culture by pointing to the Thessalonian example; suffering from compatriots is an authentic mark of discipleship. Related Concepts – συγγενής (Luke 1:36) underscores family relation; συμφυλετῶν narrows the field to tribal kinship. – ἔθνος emphasizes broader ethnic identity, whereas συμφυλετής highlights a sub-group within a nation. – The Old Testament phrase “his brother of the same tribe” (Numbers 27:11, LXX) anticipates Paul’s use, showing continuity between covenants. Summary Strong’s Greek 4853 illumines the bittersweet reality that the gospel both fulfills and relativizes tribal bonds. Believers may encounter their fiercest opposition from those who share their language, culture, and bloodline, yet such trials knit them into the larger, enduring fellowship of the churches of God in Christ Jesus. Forms and Transliterations συμφυλετων συμφυλετών συμφυλετῶν συνεφύροντο sumphuleton sumphuletōn symphyleton symphyletôn symphyletōn symphyletō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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