Lexical Summary sunédomai: To eat together, to dine with Original Word: συνεδόμαι 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 Originfrom sun and the same as hédoné Definition to rejoice together NASB Translation joyfully concur (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4913: συνήδομαισυνήδομαι; 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). 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). Historical Interpretation • Early Church: Chrysostom saw in the verb evidence that the Law remains “spiritual” and lovable to the renewed mind. 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. Practical Ministry Implications • Assurance: Genuine enjoyment of God’s commands, even amid struggle, provides evidence of regeneration. 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. Englishman's Concordance Romans 7:22 V-PIM/P-1SGRK: 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 |
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