4913. sunédomai
Lexical Summary
sunédomai: To eat together, to dine with

Original Word: συνεδόμαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sunédomai
Pronunciation: soo-NED-oh-my
Phonetic Spelling: (soon-ay'-dom-ahee)
KJV: delight
NASB: joyfully concur
Word Origin: [middle voice from G4862 (σύν - along) and the base of G2237 (ἡδονή - pleasures)]

1. to rejoice in with oneself, i.e. feel satisfaction concerning

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
delight.

Middle voice from sun and the base of hedone; to rejoice in with oneself, i.e. Feel satisfaction concerning -- delight.

see GREEK sun

see GREEK hedone

HELPS Word-studies

4913 synḗdomai (from 4862 /sýn, "closely identify with" and hēdomai, "to experience sensory delight") – properly, experientially delighted from fully identifying with someone – shown by "agreement and having moral sympathy" (M. Vincent).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from sun and the same as hédoné
Definition
to rejoice together
NASB Translation
joyfully concur (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4913: συνήδομαι

συνήδομαι;

1. in Greek writings chiefly from Sophocles, Euripides, Xenophon down, to rejoice together with (another or others (cf. σύν, II. 1)).

2. in the N. T. once to rejoice or delight with oneself or inwardly (see σύν, II. 4): τίνι, in a thing, Romans 7:22, where cf. Fritzsche; (others refer this also to 1; cf. Meyer).

Topical Lexicon
Definition and Conceptual Scope

Strong’s Greek 4913 (συνήδομαι) expresses an inner harmony of delight, a glad concurrence of one’s deepest self with something judged to be good. It is more than outward approval; it conveys a shared enjoyment that springs from the core of the person, aligning the heart with a standard or reality outside oneself.

Biblical Usage and Context

Romans 7:22 records the lone New Testament occurrence: “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law” (Berean Standard Bible). Here Paul sets the verb in deliberate contrast to the warring “law of sin” in his members (Romans 7:23). The word paints an intimate portrait of the regenerate conscience: despite the tug of indwelling sin, the true self of the believer resounds with joy at the goodness of God’s revealed will.

Theological Significance

1. Inner Transformation: The verb confirms that salvation penetrates beyond external conformity, reaching the intellect, emotions, and volition. The “inner being” (τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον) cherishes what God cherishes, fulfilling promises of the new covenant (Jeremiah 31:33).
2. Dual Reality of the Believer: Romans 7 juxtaposes delight in the law with ongoing struggle, illustrating both positional righteousness and progressive sanctification. The believer’s true identity resonates with righteousness even while the flesh still resists (Galatians 5:17).
3. Affirmation of the Moral Law: Paul’s delight verifies the enduring goodness of God’s moral standard. Grace does not nullify the Law’s ethical demands but empowers heartfelt agreement with them (Romans 8:4).

Historical Interpretation

• Early Church: Chrysostom saw in the verb evidence that the Law remains “spiritual” and lovable to the renewed mind.
• Reformation: Luther cited Romans 7:22 to describe simul iustus et peccator—simultaneously righteous and sinful—arguing that the believer’s truest will concurs with God.
• Puritans: Owen used the passage to encourage believers troubled by indwelling sin, reminding them that sincere delight in the Law testifies to genuine grace.

Related Biblical Themes and Cross-References

• Old Testament Delight: Psalm 1:2; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 119:47 establish the prototype of rejoicing in the Law.
• New Covenant Heart Change: Ezekiel 36:26-27 promises internal inclination to obey.
• Inner Man Renewal: 2 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 3:16 parallel Paul’s “inner being” terminology, emphasizing spiritual vitality despite outward weakness.
• Conflict and Victory: Romans 8:2-4; Galatians 5:16-24 show how the Spirit resolves the tension introduced in Romans 7.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Assurance: Genuine enjoyment of God’s commands, even amid struggle, provides evidence of regeneration.
• Discipleship: Teaching must move beyond behavior modification to cultivate affections aligned with Scripture. Meditation on the Law (Joshua 1:8) nourishes this delight.
• Counseling: Romans 7:22 offers hope to believers battling habitual sin, highlighting the difference between condemned desire and conflicted, yet Christ-loving, hearts.

Application for Discipleship and Worship

Encourage believers to vocalize delight in God’s statutes during corporate worship (Psalm 119:14), memorize passages that reveal His moral beauty, and practice spiritual disciplines that train the affections. As inner delight grows, external obedience follows, fulfilling the spirit of Romans 7:22 and leading to the freedom celebrated in Romans 8.

Forms and Transliterations
συνηδομαι συνήδομαι sunedomai sunēdomai synedomai synēdomai synḗdomai
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Romans 7:22 V-PIM/P-1S
GRK: συνήδομαι γὰρ τῷ
NAS: For I joyfully concur with the law
KJV: For I delight in the law of God
INT: I delight with indeed in the

Strong's Greek 4913
1 Occurrence


συνήδομαι — 1 Occ.

4912
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