συνεργέω (sunergeō)
sunergeō
to work with
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sunergeō means to work together or cooperate in a shared task. It appears five times in the New Testament, primarily in Paul’s letters and James. In Mark 16:20, it describes how the Lord worked with his disciples to confirm their message through signs. This usage highlights that divine power and human effort are not opposed but operate in tandem.
Paul uses this word to explain how all things contribute to good for those who love God (Romans 8:28). Here, it suggests that God actively coordinates events and circumstances to bring about a positive outcome. In James 2:22, faith works together with deeds, showing that belief is made complete by action. The word implies partnership, where multiple agents contribute to a single result.
Its root combines "sun" (with) and "ergon" (work). This etymology underscores the communal nature of the activity. Unlike solitary labor, sunergeō emphasizes collaboration. Translators often render it as "cooperate" or "work together," capturing the sense of joint effort. The term reflects a biblical view where human agency participates in divine purposes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sunergeō reminds us that we are never working alone in our daily lives. Whether you are facing a difficult season or simply trying to live out your faith, this term shows that God is actively partnering with you. It is not about earning favor through sheer effort, but about allowing His power to flow through your ordinary actions. When you feel overwhelmed, remember that the Lord is working alongside you, turning even challenging circumstances toward a good end.
This partnership is visible in how faith and deeds connect. Belief becomes real when it moves us to act, just as James describes faith working together with works. It is a gentle invitation to see your labor as part of something larger than yourself. You are invited to trust that God is coordinating the details of your life, weaving your efforts into His broader purpose.
Ultimately, this word offers comfort in community and confidence in God’s care. It assures us that our small acts of obedience matter because they are joined with divine strength. There is a quiet hope in knowing that no effort made in love is wasted when it is shared with the Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- works together1×
- was working with1×
- is joining in the work1×
- [who] working with [them]1×
- Working together1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνήργει1×
- συνεργοῦντος1×
- συνεργοῦντι1×
- συνεργεῖ1×
- Συνεργοῦντες1×
Key Verses
-
Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
This verse uses the word to show how God actively coordinates all events, even hardships, to bring about a good outcome for those who love Him.
-
James 2:22
You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected.
Here the term illustrates that genuine faith is not passive but works in tandem with actions to bring belief to its full maturity.
-
Mark 16:20
They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.
This occurrence highlights the partnership between human preaching and divine power, as the Lord confirms the message through signs.