4925. sunoikodomeó

Lexical Summary

sunoikodomeó: To build together, to construct jointly

Original Word: συνοικοδομέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sunoikodomeó
Pronunciation: soo-noy-kod-om-eh'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (soon-oy-kod-om-eh'-o)
KJV: build together
NASB: built together
Word Origin: [from G4862 (σύν - along) and G3618 (οἰκοδομέω - build)]

1. to construct
2. (passively) to compose (in company with other Christians, figuratively)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

build together.

From sun and oikodomeo; to construct, i.e. (passively) to compose (in company with other Christians, figuratively) -- build together.

see GREEK sun

see GREEK oikodomeo

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from sun and oikodomeó
Definition
to build together, fig. to build up together
NASB Translation
built together (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 4925: συνοικοδομέω

συνοικοδομέω, συνοικοδόμω: present passive, συνοικοδομοῦμαι; (Vulg.coaedifico); to build together i. e.

a. to build together or with others (1 Esdr. 5:65 (66)).

b. to put together or construct by building, out of several things to build up one whole (οἰκία εὖ συνωκοδομημενη καί συνηρμοσμενη, of the human body, Philo de praem. et poen. § 20): Ephesians 2:22. (Besides, in Thucydides, Diodorus, Dio Cassius, Plutarch.)

Topical Lexicon

Overview

Strong’s Greek 4925 portrays the corporate activity of God as He joins redeemed people into one unified, growing structure that becomes His earthly dwelling. It captures the dynamic, ongoing process by which individual believers are fitted into the larger body of Christ so that, together, they manifest God’s presence.

Usage in the New Testament

The verb appears once, in Ephesians 2:22: “And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit”. Here Paul emphasizes that Jews and Gentiles, once alienated from one another and from God, are now jointly constructed into a single, Spirit-indwelt temple.

Literary Context: Ephesians 2:11–22

1. Former Separation (verses 11–12): Gentiles were “separate from Christ… without hope and without God in the world.”
2. Present Reconciliation (verses 13–18): By the blood of Christ, the “dividing wall of hostility” is demolished, creating “one new man.”
3. New Structure (verses 19–22): Believers become “members of God’s household,” built on the apostolic-prophetic foundation with Christ as cornerstone. Verse 22 crowns the argument: believers are not merely individual temples but stones interlocked into one sacred habitation.

Biblical Theology of God’s Dwelling

• Old Testament Foreshadowing: From the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8) to Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8:10–11), God signified His nearness by a physical structure.
• Prophetic Anticipation: Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Haggai looked ahead to a restored dwelling of God among His people.
• New Covenant Fulfillment: Jesus identified His body as the true temple (John 2:19–21). Through His resurrection, He becomes both foundation and cornerstone, and believers, united to Him, form the new sanctuary (1 Corinthians 3:16).
• Eschatological Consummation: The process reaches its climax in Revelation 21:3—“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.”

Historical Background: Temple Imagery in the Greco-Roman World

Ephesus boasted the renowned temple of Artemis, symbolizing civic identity and religious pride. Against that backdrop, Paul’s picture of a spiritual temple composed of reconciled Jews and Gentiles challenged prevailing ethnocentric and idolatrous loyalties. The gospel created a counter-cultural society in which allegiance to Christ surpassed ethnic, social, and cultic divisions.

Implications for Church Unity and Identity

1. One Foundation: Apostolic doctrine centered on Christ provides non-negotiable stability (Ephesians 2:20).
2. Mutual Dependence: Each “stone” needs the others; isolation contradicts the architectural metaphor.
3. Ongoing Construction: The present tense “are being built together” highlights a continuing work. The church never outgrows its need for Spirit-guided formation.
4. Holiness: A temple implies sacredness; moral and doctrinal purity safeguard the dwelling place of God (1 Corinthians 3:17).
5. Missional Presence: As the locale of divine presence, the church becomes a living witness among the nations (1 Peter 2:9).

Pastoral and Missional Applications

• Reconciliation Ministries: Because God unites diverse peoples, modern congregations should model ethnic and social harmony.
• Church Planting: Foundational teaching must remain apostolic, Christ-centered, and Spirit-empowered.
• Discipleship: Spiritual growth is communal; believers are shaped by corporate worship, mutual exhortation, and joint service.
• Worship Spaces: Buildings are useful, yet the true sanctuary is the gathered people; stewardship of physical facilities should not eclipse investment in people.

Related Scriptures

1 Corinthians 3:9–17; 6:19

2 Corinthians 6:16

Colossians 2:7

1 Peter 2:4–5

Revelation 21:2–3

Reflections for Christian Living

Believers are called to align personal ambitions with God’s grand construction project. Yielding to the Spirit, pursuing unity, practicing holiness, and embracing diversity all cooperate with His purpose of making the church a visible, tangible dwelling place for His glory in the present age and the age to come.

Forms and Transliterations

συνοικοδομεισθε συνοικοδομείσθε συνοικοδομεῖσθε sunoikodomeisthe synoikodomeisthe synoikodomeîsthe

Englishman's Concordance

Ephesians 2:22 V-PIM/P-2P
GRK: καὶ ὑμεῖς συνοικοδομεῖσθε εἰς κατοικητήριον
NAS: you also are being built together into a dwelling
KJV: also are builded together for
INT: also you are being built together for a habitation

Strong's Greek 4925
1 Occurrence

συνοικοδομεῖσθε — 1 Occ.