συγχαίρω (sugchairō)
sugchairō
to rejoice with
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sugchairō means to share in another person’s joy or to celebrate with them. It appears seven times in the New Testament, often highlighting communal happiness rather than isolated personal delight. In Luke 1:58 and 15:6–9, neighbors and friends rejoice with Mary and the shepherd when a lost sheep is found, illustrating how this word captures the social nature of celebration.
Its components—syn ("with") and chairo ("to rejoice")—make its meaning transparent. Paul uses it in Philippians 2:17–18 to describe mutual encouragement among believers, urging them to rejoice together even in hardship. In 1 Corinthians 12:26 and 13:6, the term extends to empathetic solidarity, where the body of Christ rejoices with every member who experiences joy.
This word emphasizes connection over individualism. It reflects a worldview where personal happiness is intertwined with the well-being of others. Translators typically render it as "rejoice with" or "congratulate," depending on context, preserving its relational core.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sugchairō invites us to step out of our private emotional silos and into the shared life of the community. It combines 'with' and 'rejoice,' creating a simple but profound instruction: do not keep your happiness to yourself. When good news arrives, whether it is a birth in Nazareth or a lost sheep found on a hillside, the natural response is to gather others and celebrate together. This shared joy strengthens the bonds between neighbors and friends, turning individual relief into communal gratitude.
This same spirit of connection applies when we face difficulties. Paul reminds believers that if one part of the body suffers, all suffer; conversely, when one member is honored, all rejoice with them. Your personal victories are not just yours alone. They are opportunities for the church to celebrate God’s work in your life. By rejoicing with others, we acknowledge that our well-being is tied to theirs, creating a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and seen.
Embracing this relational joy helps us move beyond isolation. It encourages us to be present for one another, celebrating milestones and sharing burdens. As you navigate your own journey, look for moments to connect with others in genuine happiness. Let your faith be expressed not just in private devotion, but in the warm, shared celebrations that bind the community together.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- do rejoice with3×
- they were rejoicing with1×
- rejoices1×
- rejoice with [it]1×
- I rejoice with1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συγχάρητέ2×
- συγχαίρει2×
- συνέχαιρον1×
- συγχαίρω1×
- συγχαίρετέ1×
Key Verses
-
Luke 1:58
Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
This verse shows how extended family and neighbors actively participate in Mary’s joy, demonstrating that divine mercy is a communal experience rather than a private secret.
-
Luke 15:6
When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
Here the shepherd initiates the celebration by calling friends and neighbors, highlighting that finding what was lost requires shared witness to be fully realized.
-
I Corinthians 12:26
When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Paul uses this term to describe the organic unity of the church, where individual honor triggers a collective response from the entire body of believers.
-
Philippians 2:18
In the same way, you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
Paul invites the Philippians to mirror his own attitude, creating a cycle of mutual encouragement where joy is exchanged between leader and congregation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does sugchairō mean in English?
How is this different from just being happy?
Why does Paul use this word in Philippians?
Where else does this word appear in the Bible?
Every Occurrence (7 verses across 3 books)
Luke 3 verses
Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her.
Luke 15:6When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found…
Luke 15:9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the…