Lexical Summary sunantilambanomai: To help, to assist, to take part with Original Word: συναντιλαμβάνομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance help. From sun and antilambanomai; to take hold of opposite together, i.e. Co-operate (assist) -- help. see GREEK sun see GREEK antilambanomai HELPS Word-studies 4878 synantilambánomai – properly, to give assistance with full initiative because closely-identified – supplying help that exactly corresponds to the need. [Note the prefixes: 4862 /sýn ("closely identified with") and 473 /antí ("corresponding") which each nuance the root (2983 /lambánō, "aggressively lay hold of"). 4878 (synantilambánomai) is always in the Greek middle voice in the NT to further underline the high personal (self) interest motivating giving the help (which is personally shared).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and antilambanó Definition to take hold with at the side, hence to take a share in, generally to help NASB Translation help (1), helps (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4878: συναντιλαμβάνομαισυναντιλαμβάνομαι; 2 aorist middle subjunctive 3 person singular συναντιλάβηται; to lay hold along with, to strife to obtain with others, help in obtaining (τῆς ἐλευθερίας, Diodorus 14, 8); to take hold with another (who is laboring), hence, universally, to help: τίνι, one, Luke 10:40; Romans 8:26 (Psalm 88:22 Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 4878 portrays vigorous, personal assistance—two parties taking hold of a task from opposite sides so the burden is jointly carried. The idea implies more than sympathy; it describes active, shoulder-to-shoulder participation that transforms toil into shared labor. Occurrences in Scripture Luke 10:40—Shared Service in the Home Martha’s appeal, “Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40), reveals first-century hospitality expectations. A hostess faced multiple demands—kneading, roasting, accommodating guests—work that could not be delayed. Martha’s use of Strong’s 4878 shows she did not merely want Mary to join her in the kitchen; she desired a co-laborer who would “take hold with” her of the full weight of hospitality. The incident exposes a perennial tension in ministry: diligent service must never eclipse devotion, yet genuine devotion eventually expresses itself through service. Jesus affirms Mary’s choice to listen, but He later raises Lazarus, showing Martha that heartfelt faith and practical action can converge (John 11:20-27, 39-44). The passage therefore cautions believers against resentment when others’ callings differ while also commending cooperative labor done in a spirit of worship. Romans 8:26—Divine Help in Prayer Paul declares, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” (Romans 8:26). Here Strong’s 4878 magnifies the Spirit’s intimate involvement in the saints’ petitions. He does not watch from afar; He stoops beneath the weight of our infirmity, joining His strength to ours. The “weakness” includes ignorance (“we do not know how we ought to pray”) and frailty under suffering (Romans 8:18-23). The Spirit’s groanings parallel creation’s groans (Romans 8:22) and the believer’s own (Romans 8:23), uniting the entire redemptive rhythm. This action guarantees that every Spirit-borne prayer is perfectly aligned with “the will of God” (Romans 8:27). Thus intercession is simultaneously human and divine: the believer engages, the Spirit empowers, and the Father answers in harmony with His eternal purpose. Theological Significance 1. Synergy without compromise: Scripture upholds God’s sovereignty while calling believers to active participation. Strong’s 4878 illustrates how divine aid operates through, not apart from, human effort (Philippians 2:12-13). Historical and Patristic Reflection Early interpreters seized on Romans 8:26 to defend the doctrine of the Spirit’s personal nature. John Chrysostom noted that the Spirit “does not command only but works Himself the things which we ought to do,” emphasizing co-operation rather than mere instruction (Homilies on Romans, XIII). Augustine cited the verse to demonstrate that prayer is God-initiated and God-sustained, ensuring that petitions reach the Father purified from human defect (Letter 130). Practical Ministry Applications • Corporate prayer meetings: Emphasize dependence on the Spirit, inviting His guidance rather than relying solely on prepared lists. Summary Strong’s 4878 encapsulates the gospel dynamic of partnership—God with humanity and believers with one another. Whether in a Galilean kitchen or in the believer’s innermost groanings, Scripture portrays a faithful Helper who joins hands with the overwhelmed, ensuring that every task and every prayer is ultimately borne to completion. Forms and Transliterations συναντιλαβηται συναντιλάβηται συναντιλαμβανεται συναντιλαμβάνεται συναντιλήψεται συναντιλήψονται συναντιλήψονταί sunantilabetai sunantilabētai sunantilambanetai synantilabetai synantilabētai synantilábetai synantilábētai synantilambanetai synantilambánetaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 10:40 V-ASM-3SGRK: ἵνα μοι συναντιλάβηται NAS: Then tell her to help me. KJV: therefore that she help me. INT: that me she might help Romans 8:26 V-PIM/P-3S Strong's Greek 4878 |
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