Lexical Summary sunaichmalótos: Fellow prisoner Original Word: συναιχμάλωτος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance fellow prisoner. From sun and aichmalotos; a co-captive -- fellowprisoner. see GREEK sun see GREEK aichmalotos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and aichmalótos Definition a fellow prisoner NASB Translation fellow prisoner (2), fellow prisoners (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4869: συναιχμάλωτοςσυναιχμάλωτος, συναιχμαλωτου, ὁ, a fellow-prisoner (Vulg.concaptivus): Romans 16:7; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:23 (Lucian, asin. 27). (Cf. Lightfoot on Colossians, the passage cited; Fritzsche, Commentary on Romans, vol. i., p. 21 note.) Topical Lexicon Term and New Testament Occurrences The expression translated “fellow prisoner” occurs three times in the Greek Scriptures, each time in a letter written or dictated by the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:7; Colossians 4:10; Philemon 1:23). While brief, these references give valuable insight into the communal nature of first-century gospel ministry and the cost paid by those who shared Paul’s burdens. Historical Setting of Pauline Imprisonment Paul spent multiple seasons under arrest—two years in Caesarea (Acts 24:27), house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:30), and likely other confinements not recorded in Acts. Roman custody ranged from chains in a praetorian barracks to a rented house under military guard. Those identified as “fellow prisoners” were either confined simultaneously with Paul or had at some point been imprisoned because of gospel activity. Their designation underscores persecution that often accompanied missionary labor (Acts 16:23-24; 2 Corinthians 11:23-25). Named Fellow Prisoners and Their Service • Aristarchus – Colossians 4:10 places this Macedonian companion (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2) beside Paul in chains. “My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you greetings…”. His presence during the Ephesian riot and the voyage to Rome highlights enduring loyalty. • Andronicus and Junia – Romans 16:7 records, “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow kinsmen and fellow prisoners; they are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was”. Their early conversion (“before I was”) and apostolic reputation show that imprisonment did not diminish but rather affirmed their ministry standing. • Epaphras – In Philemon 1:23 Paul writes, “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings”. Epaphras had founded the Colossian church (Colossians 1:7) and continued to labor through intercessory prayer (Colossians 4:12-13), demonstrating that captivity cannot silence faithful service. Shared Captivity as Fellowship in Christ Calling someone a “fellow prisoner” is more than identifying a cellmate; it is an affirmation of joint participation in the sufferings of Christ (Philippians 3:10). Paul’s language reveals a theology of partnership: just as believers are “fellow heirs” (Romans 8:17) and “fellow servants” (Colossians 1:7), they may also become “fellow prisoners,” bound together by devotion to the gospel. Such solidarity embodies Hebrews 13:3, “Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them…” Ministry Significance 1. Validation of Gospel Commitment Imprisonment for the faith confirmed the authenticity of those mentioned, fulfilling Christ’s words in Matthew 5:11-12. Letters from chains carried weight; churches receiving greetings from incarcerated believers were reminded that suffering did not hinder the advance of the Word (2 Timothy 2:9). The greetings acknowledge continued concern for distant congregations, illustrating that captivity redirects, rather than ends, missionary effort—through prayer, correspondence, and encouragement of others (Colossians 4:2-4). Theological Themes • Union with Christ in Suffering – Being literally “prisoners in Christ Jesus” (Philemon 1:23) mirrors the spiritual reality of being “crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). Applications for Contemporary Believers • Pray consistently for the persecuted church, recognizing them as partners in gospel work. The brief triad of references to “fellow prisoners” thus opens a window on early Christian camaraderie, the price of faithful witness, and the enduring truth that Christ’s kingdom advances even behind barred doors. Forms and Transliterations ὁ συναιχμαλωτος συναιχμάλωτός συναιχμαλωτους συναιχμαλώτους o sunaichmalotos sunaichmalōtos sunaichmalotous sunaichmalōtous synaichmalotos synaichmalōtos synaichmálotós synaichmálōtós synaichmalotous synaichmalōtous synaichmalṓtousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 16:7 Adj-AMPGRK: μου καὶ συναιχμαλώτους μου οἵτινές NAS: my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who KJV: and my fellowprisoners, who are INT: of me and fellow prisoners of me who Colossians 4:10 Adj-NMS Philemon 1:23 Adj-NMS Strong's Greek 4869 |
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