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συναθλέω

synathléō

G4866 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To contend or struggle alongside others, especially in the context of a contest or shared effort; to join with others in competition, conflict, or exertion toward a common goal. Used figuratively to refer to cooperating passionately or striving together in pursuit of a purpose, often with connotations of coordinated struggle or teamwork.

Semantic Range

to struggle together, to labor jointly, to strive cooperatively, to contend side-by-side, to join in conflict or endeavor

Root / Etymology

From the preposition σύν ('with, together with') and ἀθλέω ('to contend for a prize, to struggle, to compete'). The compound form denotes action undertaken in conjunction with others.

Historical & Contextual Notes

First attested in Hellenistic Greek, the verb συναθλέω occurs primarily in literary and epistolary contexts. In classical and Hellenistic usage, ἀθλέω describes physical or athletic contesting, and the compound intensifies this sense by emphasizing joint engagement or collective striving. In the New Testament (notably Philippians 1:27; 4:3), the term is used metaphorically, drawing on athletic imagery to express the idea of actively supporting, collaborating, or laboring together in a struggle—often a common cause or mission. The contexts do not refer to literal wrestling or athletic competition but to united moral or spiritual endeavor. Standard English translations like 'strive together', 'struggle side by side', or 'labor with' generally capture the figurative sense, but may understate the connotation of cooperative effort and shared struggle inherent in the Greek term. The word rarely occurs outside Christian and Hellenistic Jewish literature.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and ἀθλέω; to wrestle in company with, i.e. (figuratively) to seek jointly:--labour with, strive together for.

Root Family

συναθλέω (synathleō) — contend, strive, struggle in contest, labor jointly

Root ἀθλ- to contend, to strive, to struggle in a contest

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4866-01 συναθλοῦντες sunathlountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL striving together those contending together striving together 1
G4866-02 συνήθλησάν sunethlesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL labored they strove together they strove together 1

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4866-01 Philippians 1:27 συναθλοῦντες sunathlountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL striving together those contending together striving together
G4866-02 Philippians 4:3 συνήθλησάν sunethlesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL labored they strove together they strove together
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