Lexical Summary sunoché: Distress, anguish, constraint Original Word: συνοχή Strong's Exhaustive Concordance anguish, distress. From sunecho; restraint, i.e. (figuratively) anxiety -- anguish, distress. see GREEK sunecho HELPS Word-studies 4928 syno NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sunechó Definition a holding together, fig. distress NASB Translation anguish (1), dismay (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4928: συνοχήσυνοχή, συνοχῆς, ἡ (συνέχω, which see), a holding together, narrowing; narrows, the contracting part of a way, Homer Iliad 23, 330. Metaphorically, straits, distress, anguish: Luke 21:25; with καρδίας added, 2 Corinthians 2:4 (contractio animi, Cicero, Tusc. 1, 37, 90; opposed toeffusio, 4, 31, 66; συνοχήν καί ταλαιπωρίαν, Job 30:3; (cf. Judges 2:3; plural Psalm 24:17 Topical Lexicon Occurrences and Narrative Settings Strong’s Greek 4928 (συνοχή) surfaces twice in the New Testament, shaping two very different scenes. In Luke 21:25 Jesus foretells global turmoil: “There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves”. Here συνοχή depicts an overwhelming external pressure gripping whole peoples at the climax of redemptive history. By contrast, 2 Corinthians 2:4 exposes Paul’s internal struggle as he addresses the Corinthian assembly: “For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you, but to let you know the abundant love I have for you”. The same noun thus spans cosmic distress and personal pastoral pain, underscoring the breadth of human experience affected by sin and awaiting redemption. Prophetic Distress in Luke 21 Within the Olivet Discourse, συνοχή characterizes the nations when heavenly bodies are shaken and seas roar. It signals the collapse of self-confidence in earthly powers and the exposure of unbelief. The pressure is not merely emotional; it is eschatological—a harbinger of the “Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:27). Believers are called to “stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near” (Luke 21:28), revealing that the same events producing distress in the unbelieving world produce anticipation in the faithful. Pastoral Anguish in 2 Corinthians 2 Paul’s use of συνοχή lays bare the cost of shepherding a church mired in factionalism and moral compromise. The apostle’s anguish springs from love; his severe letter (now lost) was written “through many tears.” Genuine ministry often carries the weight of emotional pressure as leaders confront sin while seeking restoration. Paul models transparent leadership, coupling forthright correction with an undiminished affection that mirrors Christ’s own heart for His people. Theological Significance 1. Universality of Pressure: From global cataclysm to individual heartache, συνοχή testifies that a fallen world exerts crushing forces beyond human remedy. Historical Background Greek writers used συνοχή for physical confinement and mental strain. Luke, a physician, and Paul, a Hellenistic Jew steeped in Septuagint traditions, draw on this common vocabulary yet invest it with covenantal overtones. In the Septuagint, cognate verbs describe besieged cities (Deuteronomy 28:53) and straitened hearts (Psalm 25:17), providing a backdrop that ties New Testament usage to earlier divine judgments and deliverances. Practical Ministry Insights • Expect Pressure: Faithful proclamation and shepherding inevitably invite seasons of συνοχή. God’s servants should neither romanticize nor resent this reality. Contrast with Related Terms Unlike θλῖψις (tribulation) that often stresses outward affliction, συνοχή highlights the internal constriction produced by overwhelming circumstances. Its rarity in the New Testament lends weight to its appearances, inviting careful reflection each time it occurs. Summary Strong’s 4928 portrays the tightening grip of crisis—cosmic or personal—yet within Scripture it consistently serves God’s redemptive purposes. Whether heralding the end of the age or prompting loving correction, συνοχή ultimately drives hearts to the only true refuge, the Lord Jesus Christ. Forms and Transliterations συνετάραξάν συνετάραξας συνετάραξε συνετάραξεν συνετάρασσον συνετάρασσόν συνεταράσσοντο συνεταράχθη συνεταράχθησαν συνοχάς συνοχη συνοχή συνοχὴ συνοχήν συνοχης συνοχής συνοχῆς συνταγή σύνταγμα συνταγών συντάξεις συντάξεως σύνταξιν σύνταξις συνταράξει συνταράξεις συνταράσσει συνταράσσεις συνταράσσων sunoche sunochē sunoches sunochēs synoche synochē synochḕ synoches synochês synochēs synochē̂sLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 21:25 N-NFSGRK: τῆς γῆς συνοχὴ ἐθνῶν ἐν NAS: and on the earth dismay among nations, KJV: the earth distress of nations, INT: the earth distress of Gentiles with 2 Corinthians 2:4 N-GFS Strong's Greek 4928 |
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