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συνιστάω

synistáō

G4921 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To bring together, combine, or assemble (literally); to recommend, commend, or present someone or something in a positive light (figuratively); to show or demonstrate the nature or character of someone or something by action or evidence (contextual); to prove or establish a case, or to constitute/admit as existing. The word may refer to both the act of physically causing things or people to be together as well as the act of putting forward proofs, recommendations, or demonstrations.

Semantic Range

to assemble, to unite, to cause to stand together (literal); to commend, to recommend, to introduce favorably, to present for approval, to demonstrate (by action or evidence), to prove, to constitute, to show, to consist

Root / Etymology

Derived from the preposition σύν ('with, together') and ἵστημι ('to stand, set, place'), indicating the action of causing to stand together, put together, or bring together. Used in both literal and figurative senses from classical through Koine periods.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, συνιστάω initially referred to the act of putting together or associating people or things, such as forming an alliance or uniting a group. Over time, particularly by the Hellenistic and Koine periods, the verb developed a widely figurative sense: 'to recommend' or 'to commend.' This secondary meaning is prominent in New Testament and early Christian literature, where the term often appears in epistolary contexts to denote presenting someone favorably for acceptance or approval, especially when commending individuals to a community (e.g., Romans 16:1). The sense of 'demonstrating, proving, or showing by action' underlies passages where the term describes how God or people demonstrate qualities (e.g., Romans 5:8: 'God demonstrates [συνίστησιν] his love'). The word may also mean 'to constitute' or 'to be made up of' in contexts where the makeup or content of something is under consideration (e.g., Colossians 1:17: 'in him all things hold together'). English translations often render it as 'commend,' 'recommend,' 'prove,' 'demonstrate,' or 'consist,' but the nuances—especially the core sense of 'bringing together' and 'showing forth'—may be obscured. Modern lexicons note how the word's flexible use in the NT marks a notable evolution from its more concrete classical usage.

Translation Consistency

primary "recommend" 1 occurrence

In the New Testament συνιστάω most often carries the sense of putting someone forward in a favorable way—commending or presenting them for approval. "Recommend" is the most natural, modern English equivalent that captures the primary/frequent figurative meaning used in context; rarer literal senses (assemble, constitute, demonstrate) occur but are secondary and can be handled by context-specific phrasing.

Alternatives (15 occurrences):
"commend" (3x) "commending" (3x) "standing together" (2x) "demonstrates" (2x) "presenting" (1x) "demonstrated" (1x) "commended" (1x) "prove" (1x) "stand together" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from σύν and ἵστημι (including its collateral forms); to set together, i.e. (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit; intransitively, to stand near, or (figuratively) to constitute:--approve, commend, consist, make, stand (with).

Root Family

συνιστάω (synistaō) — bring together, cause to stand together, commend, demonstrate, constitute

Root συνιστ- to bring together, cause to stand together, recommend

Word Forms

14 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4921-14 συνίστησιν sunistesin V PRS ACT IND 3P SG commends brings together demonstrates 3
G4921-08 συνιστάνων sunistanon V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG commending one bringing together commending 1
G4921-05 συνιστάνειν sunistanein V PRS ACT INF to commend to bring together to commend 1
G4921-09 συνιστάνοντες sunistanontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL commending bringing together commending 1
G4921-01 συνέστηκεν sunesteken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG hold together has stood together stand together 1
G4921-06 συνιστάνω sunistano V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I prove I bring together I prove 1
G4921-11 συνιστάντες sunistantes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL commending bringing together presenting 1
G4921-02 συνεστήσατε sunestesate V AOR ACT IND 2P PL you-proved you brought together demonstrated 1
G4921-04 συνεστῶτας sunestotas V PRF ACT PTCP ACC M PL standing having stood together standing together 1
G4921-13 συνίστημι sunistemi V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I commend I commend I commend 1

Occurrences in Scripture

16 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4921-04 Luke 9:32 συνεστῶτας sunestotas V PRF ACT PTCP ACC M PL standing having stood together standing together
G4921-14 Romans 3:5 συνίστησιν sunistesin V PRS ACT IND 3P SG commends brings together demonstrates
G4921-14 Romans 5:8 συνίστησιν sunistesin V PRS ACT IND 3P SG demonstrates brings together demonstrates
G4921-13 Romans 16:1 συνίστημι sunistemi V PRS ACT IND 1P SG I commend I commend I commend
G4921-05 2 Corinthians 3:1 συνιστάνειν sunistanein V PRS ACT INF to commend to bring together to commend
G4921-09 2 Corinthians 4:2 συνιστάνοντες sunistanontes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL commending bringing together commending
G4921-07 2 Corinthians 5:12 συνιστάνομεν sunistanomen V PRS ACT IND 1P PL we commend we bring together commend
G4921-11 2 Corinthians 6:4 συνιστάντες sunistantes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL commending bringing together presenting
G4921-02 2 Corinthians 7:11 συνεστήσατε sunestesate V AOR ACT IND 2P PL you-proved you brought together demonstrated
G4921-10 2 Corinthians 10:12 συνιστανόντων sunistanonton V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M PL who commend of those commending commending
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