Lexical Summary sumpséphizó: To count together, to reckon with Original Word: συμπεψηφίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance reckon. From sun and psephizo; to compute jointly -- reckon. see GREEK sun see GREEK psephizo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and pséphizó Definition to reckon together NASB Translation counted (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4860: συμψηφίζωσυμψηφίζω: 1 aorist συνεψηφισα; to compute, count up: τάς τιμάς, Acts 19:19. (Middle τίνι, to vote with one, Aristophanes Lysias, 142.) Topical Lexicon Term in Its Narrative Context In Acts 19:19 the believers in Ephesus “counted up the value of them”—their costly books of magic—before burning them publicly. This solitary New Testament occurrence of the verb highlights a deliberate, calculated reckoning that accompanied genuine repentance. Historical Background Ephesus was a renowned center of occult practices, famous for the so-called “Ephesian letters,” amulets, and incantation scrolls. The gospel’s advance under Paul confronted entrenched spiritual darkness (Acts 19:11-20). The believers’ willingness to count the monetary worth of their books—estimated at fifty thousand drachmas, an enormous sum—underscored both the prevalence of magic and the depth of conversion required to forsake it. A Public Demonstration of Repentance The counting preceded the burning. By first totaling the value, the converts demonstrated that their act was neither rash nor emotional but a conscious forfeiture of wealth for Christ’s sake. Their transparency (doing it “in the sight of all”) offered unmistakable testimony that “many who had believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds” (Acts 19:18). • Deuteronomy 7:25-26 and 2 Kings 23:24 portray similar eradication of idolatrous objects. Counting the Cost Jesus taught, “Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost?” (Luke 14:28). The Ephesian believers literally practiced this principle. Their example illustrates that discipleship often entails tangible sacrifice, a theme echoed in Matthew 13:44-46; Philippians 3:8. Stewardship and Valuation in Scripture While Acts 19:19 shows resources surrendered, other passages depict resources consecrated: Both giving and relinquishing require honest appraisal of worth before God. Ministry Implications 1. Confronting Occult Influence – Modern ministry encounters parallel fascination with occultism, astrology, and sorcery. Genuine deliverance still calls for decisive renunciation (Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8). Theological Reflections The calculated burning at Ephesus magnifies Christ’s supremacy over hostile powers (Colossians 2:15) and validates the transformative power of the Word (Acts 19:20). The loss of temporal wealth becomes gain when the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ is embraced (Philippians 3:8). Related Old Testament Shadows • Exodus 32:20 – Moses grinds the golden calf to powder, eradicating idolatry. Summary Strong’s Greek 4860 captures a moment where new believers deliberately totaled the price of their former life and surrendered it to the Lord. Their example urges every generation to weigh earthly treasures against eternal riches and to choose Christ, whatever the cost. Forms and Transliterations συνεψηφισαν συνεψήφισαν sunepsephisan sunepsēphisan synepsephisan synepsēphisan synepsḗphisanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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