Lexical Summary suneudokeó: To approve together, to consent, to agree with, to be pleased with Original Word: συνευδοκέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance allow, assent, be pleased, have pleasure. From sun and eudokeo; to think well of in common, i.e. Assent to, feel gratified with -- allow, assent, be pleased, have pleasure. see GREEK sun see GREEK eudokeo HELPS Word-studies 4909 syneudokéō (from 4862 /sýn, "identity with" and 2106 /eudokéō, "seems good") – properly, to consent in a "hearty" (personal) way, in keeping with the close identification involved (note the syn); enthusiastically agree to cooperate with a partner to reach solutions, i.e. to achieve the things both have committed to do together. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and eudokeó Definition to join in approving NASB Translation approve (1), approving (1), consents (2), give hearty approval (1), hearty agreement (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4909: συνευδοκέωσυνευδοκέω, συνευδόκω; (see εὐδοκέω, at the beginning); a. to be pleased together with, to approve together (with others): absolutely (yet so that the thing giving pleasure is evident from the context), Acts 22:20 G L T Tr WH; with a dative of the thing, Luke 11:48; Acts 8:1; Acts 22:20 Rec. ((Polybius 24, 4, 13); 1 Macc. 1:57; 2 Macc. 11:24). b. to be pleased at the same time with, consent, agree to ((Polybius 32, 22, 9); 2 Macc. 11:35); followed by an infinitive 1 Corinthians 7:12f. (R. V. here be content); with a dative of a person to applaud (R. V. consent with), Romans 1:32. (Diodorus; ecclesiastical writings.) Across its six occurrences, syneudokeō portrays a shared stance—whether righteous or sinful—between individuals or groups. It always implies more than passive agreement; it conveys an active, moral participation that forges communal solidarity around a deed or decision. Marriage and Sanctifying Presence (1 Corinthians 7:12-13) In the Corinthian correspondence, Paul counsels believing spouses married to unbelievers: “If any brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her… and the husband must not divorce her”. The verb marks the unbeliever’s willing participation in continuing the marriage. Paul’s pastoral reasoning flows from covenant fidelity and the hope that a faithful spouse can be a sanctifying influence. Here syneudokeō signals constructive consent that upholds God’s design for marriage while safeguarding the gospel witness in mixed households. Prophetic Indictment of Complicity (Luke 11:48) Jesus confronts the lawyers: “So you bear witness that you approve of the deeds of your fathers; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs”. The word exposes generational complicity—building memorials while perpetuating the same rebellion. The verse warns that honoring religious heritage can mask perseverance in ancestral sin, underscoring accountability for both actions and the attitudes that validate them. Persecution and Conversion (Acts 8:1; Acts 22:20) Luke records that “Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death” (Acts 8:1). In Acts 22:20 Paul confesses the same participation. Syneudokeō frames Saul’s complicity in martyrdom, amplifying the grace of his later conversion. The term thus becomes a narrative hinge: shared approval in violence gives way to apostolic passion for Christ, illustrating redemption’s reach even over corporate sins once endorsed. Cultural Decline and Collective Guilt (Romans 1:32) Paul’s catalogue of depravity climaxes: “Although they know God’s righteous decree… they not only continue to do these things, but also approve of those who practice them”. Syneudokeō indicts societies that institutionalize sin by celebrating its practitioners. The verse functions as a theological linchpin, describing the culmination of suppressing truth—public endorsement of wickedness—which invites divine wrath. Theological Themes • Corporate Responsibility: Scripture treats consent as genuine participation; silence or passive approval can incur guilt equal to overt action. Historical and Cultural Background First-century Greco-Roman culture prized civic harmony; joint approval in public or legal matters cemented social identity. The New Testament writers adapt this notion, showing that unity, whether for good or ill, carries spiritual weight. In Jewish contexts, public approval of prophetic murder (Luke 11:48) echoed covenantal warnings against shedding innocent blood, while Paul’s marital counsel intersected with Roman divorce customs, elevating the gospel’s countercultural ethic. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Discernment in Community: Church leaders must guard against tacit approval of sin, practicing loving confrontation and discipline (Matthew 18:15-17 parallels). Warnings and Encouragements The term issues a dual summons: resist aligning with evil and intentionally align with righteousness. Approval, whether voiced or silent, shapes communal life and bears eternal consequences. Christian maturity therefore includes vigilant evaluation of all associations, ensuring that consent is given only to what honors the Lord. Englishman's Concordance Luke 11:48 V-PIA-2PGRK: ἐστε καὶ συνευδοκεῖτε τοῖς ἔργοις NAS: you are witnesses and approve the deeds KJV: that ye allow the deeds INT: you are and consent to the works Acts 8:1 V-PPA-NMS Acts 22:20 V-PPA-NMS Romans 1:32 V-PIA-3P 1 Corinthians 7:12 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:13 V-PIA-3S Strong's Greek 4909 |
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