Lexical Summary sundesmos: Bond, ligament, uniting principle Original Word: σύνδεσμος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bond. From sun and desmon; a joint tie, i.e. Ligament, (figuratively) uniting principle, control -- band, bond. see GREEK sun see GREEK desmon HELPS Word-studies 4886 sýndesmos (from 4862 /sýn, "closely identity with" and 1210 /déō, "to bind") – properly, a bond (close union); a close (inner) identity which produces close harmony between members joined closely together (WP). [Note the "close, firm bond conveyed by syn (together," WS, 242).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sundeó Definition that which binds together, i.e. a bond NASB Translation bond (1), bond of unity (1), bondage (1), ligaments (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4886: σύνδεσμοςσύνδεσμος, συνδεσμου, ὁ (συνδέω); 1. that which binds together, a band, bond: of the ligaments by which the members of the human body are united together (Euripides, Hipp. 199; Tim. Locr., p. 100 b. (i. e., 3, 3, p. 386, Bekker edition); Aristotle, h. a. 10, 7, 3, p. 638b, 9; Galen), Colossians 2:19 (where see Lightfoot); tropically: τῷ συνδέσμῳ τῆς εἰρήνης, i. e. τῇ εἰρήνη ὡς συνδέσμῳ, Ephesians 4:3 (σύνδεσμος εὐνοίας καί φιλίας, Plutarch, Numbers 6); ἥτις ἐστι σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος, that in which all the virtues are so bound together that perfection is the result, and not one of them is lacking to that perfection, Colossians 3:14 (cf. Lightfoot at the passage). εἰς σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας ὁρῶ σε ὄντα, I see that you have fallen into (cf. εἰμί, V. 2 a., p. 179a, and see below) the bond of iniquity, i. e. forged by iniquity to fetter souls, Acts 8:23 (the phrase σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας occurs in another sense in Isaiah 58:6). 2. that which is bound together, a bundle: properly, σύνδεσμος ἐπιστολῶν, Herodian, 4, 12, 11 (6, Bekker edition); hence, some interpreters think that by σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας, in Acts 8:23 above, Simon is described as a bundle of iniquity, compacted as it were of iniquity (just as Cicero, in Pison. 9, 21 calls a certain man animal ex omnium scelerum importunitate ... concretum); but besides the circumstance that this interpretation is extremely bold, no examples can be adduced of this tropical use of the noun. The word rendered “bond” in the four passages conveys the idea of something that ties members together—whether for blessing (peace, love, bodily cohesion) or for judgment (iniquity). Scripture employs the term both positively and negatively, so its significance must always be determined by context. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Ephesians 4:3 — the “bond of peace.” The Bond of Peace (Ephesians 4:3) “...endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Unity already created by the Holy Spirit must be zealously guarded by believers. Peace functions here as the tie-cord: without peace, unity unravels; with peace, diverse members remain joined in harmonious fellowship. The verse follows a call to humility, gentleness, and patience—virtues that preserve peace and thus safeguard Spirit-wrought unity. The Bond of Love and Perfect Unity (Colossians 3:14) “And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.” Love is presented as the all-embracing strap that gathers every Christian grace into a coherent whole. The picture is that of a garment fastened by a sash: without the sash, the pieces flutter apart; with it, they function as one. The phrase “perfect unity” speaks not of flawlessness but of mature completeness—the crowning harmony produced when love rules interpersonal relationships. Ligaments of the Body of Christ (Colossians 2:19) “...from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” Switching from moral imagery to anatomical, Paul depicts believers as connective tissue within Christ’s body. The Head supplies life; the “ligaments” transmit that life to every part. Corporate growth therefore depends on faithful attachment both to Christ and to one another. Any teaching that severs saints from the Head endangers the entire organism. Bond of Iniquity (Acts 8:23) “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and captive to iniquity.” Peter unmasks Simon’s heart: sin does not merely stain; it shackles. The same term that elsewhere denotes peace, love, or ligaments is here a chain. The contrast highlights two spiritual pathways—either bound in fellowship and holiness or bound in bitterness and sin. Deliverance requires repentance and prayer (Acts 8:22). Theological Themes • Unity rooted in the Holy Spirit and displayed through peace (Ephesians 4). Historical Reception Early Christian teachers repeatedly cited the “bond of peace.” Clement of Rome urged believers in Corinth to “be of one mind, living in peace,” echoing Ephesians. Ignatius described the church’s unity as “a chorus” tied together by love. These fathers saw communal harmony as an apologetic witness to a watching world. Ministry Implications 1. Church leadership should cultivate a peacemaking culture; unresolved conflict frays the “bond.” Practical Application • Pray regularly for peace within the local assembly. Summary Whether describing the sinews of Christ’s body, the strap of love, the cord of peace, or the chain of sin, the term translated “bond” calls the church to prize holy connections and to flee enslaving ties to evil. Properly embraced, this biblical “bond” nurtures spiritual growth, doctrinal health, and a compelling witness to the reconciling power of the gospel. Englishman's Concordance Acts 8:23 N-AMSGRK: πικρίας καὶ σύνδεσμον ἀδικίας ὁρῶ NAS: of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity. KJV: and [in] the bond of iniquity. INT: of bitterness and a bond of unrighteousness I see Ephesians 4:3 N-DMS Colossians 2:19 N-GMP Colossians 3:14 N-NMS Strong's Greek 4886 |
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