συνθρύπτω (sunthruptō)
sunthruptō
to break
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sunthruptō describes the act of breaking something into pieces or crushing it completely. In its literal sense, it conveys total destruction, but in Scripture, it appears only once, used metaphorically to describe an emotional state. This single occurrence is found in Acts 21:13, where Paul tells his companions that he is ready not only to be bound but to die in Jerusalem for the name of Jesus.
Here, the word is applied to the heart or spirit. It means to be thoroughly weakened, crushed, or dispirited to the point of incapacitation. The image suggests a force so great that it shatters one’s inner strength and courage, leaving no capacity to endure further trials. Paul uses this powerful language to show that his resolve remains unbroken even as he anticipates being physically broken by others.
Its etymology combines a prefix meaning "together" with a root for crumbling or breaking, emphasizing the completeness of the action. Translators often render this idea as having one’s heart crushed or spirit broken. The word highlights the intensity of Paul’s sacrifice, illustrating that true devotion persists even when the human spirit feels entirely overwhelmed.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When Paul stood before his friends in Acts 21, they were weeping and trying to stop him from going to Jerusalem. They used a word that means to crush or break completely. It describes a heart so heavy with grief that it feels shattered into pieces. This was not just sadness; it was a total collapse of spirit under the weight of what they feared would happen to him.
Yet Paul’s answer reveals a strength that goes beyond human emotion. He told them he was ready to be bound and even to die for Jesus. The very thing that broke his friends’ hearts could not break his resolve. This shows us that our deepest fears do not have the final word. We can face hard seasons with a steady heart, anchored in something greater than our own comfort or safety.
It is okay to feel overwhelmed when life gets heavy. But we do not have to stay crushed. Like Paul, we can find the courage to keep moving forward because our hope rests in Jesus. When your spirit feels weak, remember that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. You are held by a love that cannot be broken.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- breaking1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνθρύπτοντές1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 21:13
Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
This verse uses the word to describe the intense grief of Paul's companions, showing how their sorrow felt like a physical crushing of his spirit.