4939. suntrophos
Lexical Summary
suntrophos: Companion, foster brother, comrade

Original Word: σύντροφος
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: suntrophos
Pronunciation: soon'-tro-fos
Phonetic Spelling: (soon'-trof-os)
KJV: brought up with
NASB: brought
Word Origin: [from G4862 (σύν - along) and G5162 (τροφός - nursing) (in a passive sense)]

1. a fellow-nursling, i.e. comrade

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
brought up with.

From sun and trophos (in a passive sense); a fellow-nursling, i.e. Comrade -- brought up with.

see GREEK sun

see GREEK trophos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from sun and trephó
Definition
one brought up with, i.e. a foster brother or an intimate friend
NASB Translation
brought (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4939: σύντροφος

σύντροφος, συντροφου, (συντρέφω) (from Herodotus down), "nourished with one (Vulg.collactaneus (English foster-brother)); brought up with one; universally, companion of one's childhood and youth": τίνος (of some prince or king), Acts 13:1. (1 Macc. 1:6; 2 Macc. 9:29; Polybius 5, 9, 4; Diodorus 1, 53; Josephus, b. j. 1, 10, 9; Aelian v. h. 12, 26.)

Topical Lexicon
Semantic Force and Relational Implications

Σύντροφος depicts the lifelong bond of persons reared side-by-side under a common guardian. The word evokes shared meals, schooling, discipline, and family intimacy. In Greco-Roman culture such “foster-brothers” often belonged to prominent households where aristocratic children were educated with selected companions, creating networks that later influenced politics and commerce. Scripture applies the term to highlight providential intersections between the ruling elite and the nascent Church.

Biblical Occurrence: Acts 13:1

“In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.” (Acts 13:1)

Luke names five leaders whom the Holy Spirit would use to launch the first intentional Gentile mission. The inclusion of Manaen, a σύντροφος of Herod Antipas, contrasts sharply with Saul the former persecutor and Barnabas the Levite from Cyprus. The term underscores how the Antioch fellowship transcended ethnic, social, and political boundaries, embodying the unifying work of the gospel (Ephesians 2:14-16).

Historical Setting: Manaen and Herod Antipas

Herod Antipas (reigned 4 B.C.–A.D. 39) ruled Galilee and Perea, ordered the execution of John the Baptist (Mark 6:14-29), and mocked Jesus during the Passion (Luke 23:6-12). Manaen, reared alongside this tetrarch, would have shared tutors, household privileges, and palace culture. Yet their spiritual trajectories diverged dramatically: Antipas hardened his heart, whereas Manaen became a prophet-teacher in the multicultural congregation of Antioch. The single verb σύντροφος nuances this divergence by showing that upbringing alone neither saves nor condemns; personal response to God’s revelation is decisive.

Ministry Insights from Antioch

1. Strategic Leadership Mix. Antioch’s elders combined Jewish and Gentile, African and Mediterranean, aristocratic and common backgrounds. Such diversity modeled the “one body” vision later articulated by Paul (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).
2. Missional Pivot. The Holy Spirit’s call of Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:2-3) emerged from this heterogeneous yet Spirit-led team, illustrating how God employs varied life experiences—including palace schooling—to advance mission.
3. Credibility before Authorities. Manaen’s court connections likely aided the church in understanding Herodian politics and in praying knowledgeably for kings and governors (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Spiritual Adoption and Discipleship

The natural bond implied by σύντροφος points ahead to the greater spiritual kinship believers share in Christ. While Manaen and Herod were nurtured together physically, Christians are “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17), “brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). The term therefore enriches themes of:
• Adoption—God making strangers His children (Galatians 4:4-7).
• Discipleship—shared formation in the faith community (2 Timothy 2:2).
• Brotherhood that overrides earthly status (James 2:1-5).

Practical Applications for the Church Today

• Encourage inter-generational and cross-cultural mentoring, reflecting the Antioch model where diverse backgrounds produced united mission.
• Recognize that godly influence can emerge from unexpected quarters; a palace-trained foster-brother became a pillar of a missionary church.
• Value faithful discipleship over pedigree. Manaen’s heritage gained eternal worth only when surrendered to Christ’s service.

Strong’s 4939 therefore reminds believers that the gospel penetrates palaces and marketplaces alike, forging spiritual siblings whose shared upbringing is now “in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10).

Forms and Transliterations
συντροφος σύντροφος συντροχασή suntrophos syntrophos sýntrophos
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Acts 13:1 Adj-NMS
GRK: τοῦ τετραάρχου σύντροφος καὶ Σαῦλος
NAS: and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod
KJV: Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod
INT: the tetrarch brought up with and Saul

Strong's Greek 4939
1 Occurrence


σύντροφος — 1 Occ.

4938
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