GospelMount
Search Topics Scripture Prayer Resources Ebooks About Support the mission Saved articles

συνεκλεκτός (suneklektos)

suneklektos

chosen with

G4899 · Greek · New Testament · 1 verses

Quick Reference

Language
Koine Greek
Testament
New Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—

Word Overview

The adjective suneklektos describes someone who is "chosen together with" another. It combines a prefix meaning "with" and a root meaning "chosen," creating a term that emphasizes shared status rather than individual distinction. In the New Testament, this word appears only once, in 1 Peter 5:13.

Peter uses it to refer to the church in Babylon, calling them his "co-elect" sister. This usage highlights the communal nature of salvation in early Christian thought. Believers are not selected in isolation but as part of a unified group chosen by God. The term reinforces the idea that election is a collective reality for the community of faith.

By using this specific compound word, Peter connects his readers to a broader spiritual family. It reminds them that their standing before God is shared with all other believers, regardless of location or circumstance. The word serves as a gentle reminder of unity within the diverse body of Christ.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The word suneklektos appears just once in the New Testament, yet it carries a profound weight for your daily walk. In 1 Peter 5:13, the apostle uses this rare term to describe the church in Babylon as his "chosen together with" sister. It is a simple compound of two ideas: chosen and together. This small linguistic detail reveals a massive theological truth about how God views His people.

You are not saved in isolation. Your standing before God is inextricably linked to every other believer across time and space. When Peter writes this, he is reminding scattered Christians that their identity is communal. You belong to a family that was selected as a whole unit. This shared status means your faith is never a solitary burden; it is a collective inheritance.

This truth offers deep comfort when you feel alone or overlooked. The same God who chose you also chose your brothers and sisters in Christ. Your spiritual home is built on this mutual election. It invites you to value the church not just as an institution, but as a sisterhood of grace. You are part of something much larger than yourself.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • elected with [you]1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • συνεκλεκτὴ1×

Frequently Asked Questions

What does suneklektos mean in the Bible?

It is a Greek adjective meaning "chosen together with" or "co-elect." It combines the prefix syn- (with) and eklegomai (to choose). The term appears only once in 1 Peter 5:13 to describe the church as being selected alongside other believers.

Why is this word significant for Christian identity?

It highlights that election is a communal reality rather than an individualistic one. By using this term, Peter reminds readers that their salvation is tied to the broader body of Christ, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose among all believers.

Where else does this word appear in Scripture?

It appears only once in the entire New Testament. This unique occurrence in 1 Peter underscores the specific context of early Christian communities facing persecution, where mutual support and shared identity were vital for endurance.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)