Lexical Summary sustatikos: Commendatory, recommending Original Word: συστατικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance commendableFrom a derivative of sunistao; introductory, i.e. Recommendatory -- of commendation. see GREEK sunistao HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4956 systatikós – properly, what stands together, referring to a coherent endorsement, or letter of commendation (used only in 2 Cor 3:1). See 4921 (synistēmi). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sunistémi Definition constructive, commendatory NASB Translation commendation (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4956: συστατικόςσυστατικός (Tr συντατικος (cf. σύν, II. at the end)), συστατικη, συστατικον (συνίστημι, which see), commendatory, introductory: ἐπιστολαί συστατικαι (A. V. epistles of commendation), 2 Corinthians 3:1a, 1b R G, and often in ecclesiastical writings, many examples of which have been collected by Lydius, Agonistica sacra (Zutph. 1700), p. 123, 15; (Suicer, Thesaurus Eccles. ii., 1194f). (γράμματα παῥ αὐτοῦ λαβεῖν συστατικα, Epictetus diss. 2, 3, 1; (cf. (Diogenes Laërtius 8, 87); τό κάλλος παντός ἐπιστολιου συστατικωτερον, Aristotle, in (Diogenes Laërtius 5, 18, and in Stobaeus, flor. 65, 11, 2:435, Gaisf. edition). Topical Lexicon Meaning and BackgroundStrong’s Greek 4956 denotes what is “commendatory” or “suitable for recommendation.” It belongs to the same word-family as the verb translated “commend” or “approve,” and therefore draws attention to the legitimacy, character, and reliability of a person or message being introduced. Occurrence and Translation The term appears once in the New Testament, at 2 Corinthians 3:1, where Paul asks, “Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you?”. In context it functions adjectivally of the “letters”—documents designed to commend workers to a new congregation. Historical Context of Commendatory Letters 1. Jewish precedent. Rabbis often carried letters verifying their status when traveling between synagogues. Paul’s Theological Point in 2 Corinthians 3:1 Paul refuses to rely on merely human credentials. The Corinthians themselves—transformed lives, a Spirit-empowered church—are his living “letter” (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). By invoking the commendatory concept, he contrasts: • External validation versus the inward work of God. Thus 4956 becomes a hinge for proclaiming the sufficiency of divine authorization over human endorsement. Implications for Apostolic Authority 1. Authentic ministry is authenticated by God’s work, not self-promotion (2 Corinthians 10:18). Application in Church Life • Discernment. Churches should remain hospitable yet vigilant, welcoming workers who bear spiritual fruit and recognized credibility (Acts 15:40). Related Scriptural Themes Proverbs 27:2; Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:12; Philippians 2:19-22; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12. Each reference underscores that genuine commendation ultimately comes from God, is evidenced by Christlike character, and is affirmed by the believing community. Forms and Transliterations συστατικων συστατικών συστατικῶν sustatikon sustatikōn systatikon systatikôn systatikōn systatikō̂nLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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