Lexical Summary sussómos: United in one body, joint-body Original Word: σύσσωμος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the same body. From sun and soma; of a joint body, i.e. (figuratively) a fellow-member of the Christian community -- of the same body. see GREEK sun see GREEK soma HELPS Word-studies 4954 sýssōmos (an adjective, derived from 4862 /sýn, "closely identified with" and 4983 /sṓma, "body") – properly, united, belonging to the same body; a "joint-body," referring to "the mystical body of Christ, composed of all saved believers (OT and NT). It is used only in Eph 3:6. "This union fulfilled 'the promise of the Father' when Christ baptized all true believers (OT, NT) in the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (see Mt 3:11; Lk 24:49; 1 Cor 12:13,27; Eph 4:4-6)" (G. Archer). [For a dispensational view see 3622 (oikonomía).] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and sóma Definition of the same body NASB Translation fellow members (1), fellow members of the body (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4954: σύσσωμοςσύσσωμος (L T Tr WH συνσωμος (cf. σύν, II. at the end)), συσσωμον (σύν and σῶμα), belonging to the same body (i. e. metaphorically, to the same church) (R. V. fellow-members of the body): Ephesians 3:6. (Ecclesiastical writings.) Topical Lexicon Biblical Setting The word σύσσωμα appears once, in Ephesians 3:6, within Paul’s disclosure of the “mystery” now made known: “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus”. Positioned between “fellow heirs” (συγκληρονόμα) and “fellow partakers” (συμμέτοχα), σύσσωμα highlights corporate oneness. The letter had already presented Christ as Head over His church-body (Ephesians 1:22-23) and reconciler of both Jew and Gentile “in one body” (Ephesians 2:16). Paul now names Gentile believers as integral limbs within that very body. The Mystery Revealed in Christ Old-covenant Scriptures hinted that the nations would share Abraham’s blessing (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:6), yet the mechanism remained veiled. In Christ, barriers of covenantal distinction met their end (Ephesians 2:14-15). The single occurrence of σύσσωμα therefore signals a watershed revelation: full incorporation of non-Jews without conversion to Judaism. The term conveys more than proximity; it declares organic union. Just as limbs cannot exist apart from the body, so no believer—Jewish or Gentile—exists outside the one new humanity formed in Christ. Unity of Jews and Gentiles The temple image in Ephesians 2:19-22 (one household, one holy temple) and the body metaphor of 4:4 (one body, one Spirit) converge in σύσσωμα. Unity is not merely cooperative; it is ontological. Therefore, ethnic, cultural, and social divides lose ultimate significance. The same indwelling Spirit (Ephesians 2:18) binds every believer to Christ and to one another. Ecclesiological Implications 1. Equality of membership: No “outer court” remains for Gentiles. All share Christ’s headship, gifts, and inheritance (Romans 8:17). Practical Ministry Applications Pastoral leadership must: Historical Reception Early church fathers employed the body metaphor against schismatics (e.g., Cyprian, “On the Unity of the Church”). The Reformers appealed to it when challenging clerical elitism. Modern ecumenical movements sometimes appeal to σύσσωμα, though fidelity to apostolic doctrine remains the biblical prerequisite for genuine unity (2 John 9-11). Relation to Other Syn- Compounds in Ephesians Paul’s triad (συγκληρονόμα, σύσσωμα, συμμέτοχα) underscores three inseparable privileges: inheritance, identity, and experience. Together they encapsulate the total salvation package granted to all in Christ. Neglect of any element—future hope, present belonging, or ongoing participation—diminishes the gospel’s scope. Doctrinal Significance • Christology: The glorified Christ is Head of a multi-ethnic body; exclusivist claims deny His finished work. Summary Strong’s 4954 encapsulates the gospel’s power to create one new humanity in Christ. Though used only once, the term conveys a foundational New Testament reality: believers of every background are organically joined in a single body, sharing Christ’s life, promises, and mission. Forms and Transliterations συνσωμα σύνσωμα σύσσωμα sussoma sussōma syssoma syssōma sýssoma sýssōmaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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