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G1997 · Greek · New Testament
ἐπισυναγωγή
episunagoge
Noun, feminine
assembling together, gathering, meeting

Definition

Episunagoge means the act of gathering together — a more intensive compound of sunagoge (synagogue/gathering). The epi- prefix suggests a complete or final gathering. It appears only twice in the NT: Hebrews 10:25 (the gathering of believers in worship) and 2 Thessalonians 2:1 (the eschatological gathering to Christ at His return).

Usage & Theological Significance

Both uses of episunagoge carry enormous theological weight. Hebrews 10:25 — 'not forsaking the assembling [episunagoge] of ourselves together, as is the manner of some' — grounds corporate worship in eschatological urgency: as the Day approaches, gathering together matters more, not less. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 links our current gathering in worship to the ultimate gathering at Christ's parousia — the final episunagoge when all God's people are gathered to Him. Every Sunday gathering is a foretaste of the great eschatological assembly.

Key Bible Verses

Hebrews 10:25 not giving up meeting together [episunagoge], as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
2 Thessalonians 2:1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him [episunagoge], we ask you, brothers and sisters.
Matthew 24:31 And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
John 11:52 He prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together.
1 Corinthians 5:4 When you are assembled [sunago] in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit.

Related Words

External Resources

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