συμφυλέτης (sumphuletēs)
sumphuletēs
fellow countryman
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun sumphuletēs refers to a fellow tribesman or countryman, emphasizing shared ethnic origin within a specific lineage. Its meaning is rooted in the prefix sym- ("together") and phyle ("tribe"), literally describing someone belonging to the same ancestral group. This term highlights a bond of kinship that extends beyond mere geographic proximity to include a common heritage.
Lexical sources note its close relationship to sumphulos, which denotes being of the same tribe, but sumphuletēs specifically identifies the person who shares that tribal identity. It appears only once in the New Testament, in 1 Thessalonians 2:14, where Paul describes his fellow believers as sharing a common experience with the churches in Judea. This singular usage underscores the deep sense of solidarity and shared identity among early Christians, linking them to a broader spiritual family.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sumphuletēs captures the profound reality of shared identity. It goes beyond simple friendship to describe those bound by common heritage and origin. In the ancient world, this term highlighted a deep kinship that connected individuals through their ancestral roots and tribal lineage.
Paul uses this concept in 1 Thessalonians to remind believers of their spiritual solidarity. When he speaks of suffering alongside fellow countrymen, he points to a unity that transcends ethnic boundaries. This shared experience creates a bond of mutual understanding and support within the body of Christ.
Your faith connects you to a vast family across time and space. You are part of a community that shares both joys and trials. This connection offers comfort and strength, reminding you that you never walk alone in your spiritual journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- countrymen,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συμφυλετῶν,1×
Key Verses
-
I Thessalonians 2:14
For you, brothers, became imitators of the assemblies of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus; for you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews
Paul uses this rare term to describe the shared suffering between Gentile believers and Jewish Christians, highlighting their unified identity in Christ despite ethnic differences.