συνήδομαι (sunēdomai)
sunēdomai
to delight
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sunēdomai describes a deep, inward sense of joy or delight that resonates within a person. It is not merely a fleeting emotion but a state of being pleased with oneself or one’s condition, often translated as taking pleasure in something. The word combines the prefix syn- (together) with a root related to pleasure, suggesting an internal alignment or harmony with what is happening.
In the New Testament, this term appears only once, in Romans 7:22. Here, the Apostle Paul writes that he "delights in the law of God" according to his inner being. This usage highlights a profound personal satisfaction and agreement with divine standards, even when external circumstances or other parts of his nature struggle against them. It captures the quiet, internal affirmation of truth.
Lexical sources note its connection to congratulating oneself or finding inward comfort. Unlike words that might describe outward celebration, sunēdomai points to a settled, personal joy. Translators often render it as "delight" to convey this specific nuance of inner approval and contentment with God’s will.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Paul’s confession in Romans 7 reveals a truth we often hide: even when our actions fall short, our inner spirit can still find deep joy in God’s ways. The word sunēdomai describes this quiet, inward alignment. It is not about perfect performance but about a heart that resonates with divine truth. This internal delight remains steady even when external struggles or conflicting desires are present.
For your own walk, this means your value does not rest on flawless behavior. You can experience genuine peace and satisfaction in God’s character regardless of your current battles. This inner harmony is a gift that sustains faith during difficult seasons, reminding you that God sees the posture of your heart, not just your outward results.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I delight1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνήδομαι1×
Key Verses
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Romans 7:22
For I delight in God’s law after the inward person,
This verse uniquely captures the tension between inner spiritual joy and external struggle, showing that delight in God's law persists even when other parts of human nature resist it.