συμμορφόομαι (summorphoomai)
summorphoomai
to make like
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb summorphoomai means to share the same form or shape as something else. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Romans 8:29, where Paul describes God’s purpose for believers. The word suggests a deep structural alignment rather than a superficial resemblance. It implies that Christians are being shaped into a specific pattern defined by Christ.
Its root combines sym- ("with") and morphē ("form"). This distinguishes it from simple imitation; it points to an internal transformation where the believer’s character takes on the identical structure of Jesus. The passive voice indicates that this change is initiated by God, not merely achieved by human effort. Thus, the term captures the theological idea of believers becoming like Christ in their very nature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word summorphoomai describes a profound internal reshaping rather than simple imitation. It suggests that your character is being structurally aligned with Jesus Christ, sharing His very form and nature. This transformation is not something you achieve through sheer willpower but is initiated by God’s grace working within you.
When Paul speaks of becoming conformed to Christ’s death in Philippians 3:10, he highlights that this process often involves sharing in suffering and humility. Yet, this alignment with Jesus’ pattern brings deep purpose. It means your life is being crafted into a reflection of His love and obedience, offering hope even in difficult seasons.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- being conformed1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συμμορφιζόμενος1×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 3:10
that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed to his death,
This verse connects the concept of conformity directly to sharing in Christ's sufferings and death, showing that alignment with Him often involves humility and sacrifice.