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G4905 · Greek · New Testament
συνέρχομαι
synerchomai
Verb
to come together / assemble

Definition

Synerchomai (G4905) combines syn (together) and erchomai (to come/go) to describe coming together, assembling, or gathering as a community. It is one of the primary verbs for the church gathering in 1 Corinthians, used 9 times in chapters 11 and 14 alone.

Usage & Theological Significance

Paul's repeated use of synerchomai in 1 Corinthians 11 and 14 reveals that the word itself has ecclesiological weight. 'When you come together as a church' (1 Cor 11:18), 'when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse' (11:17), 'when you come together to eat' (11:33). The gathering is assumed — what matters is the quality of the gathering. This word gives the church its identity as an assembly. The ekklesia is not a building but a synerchomai — a coming-together event. The Resurrection gatherings in John 20:19 use this vocabulary: disciples 'gathered' (synegmenoi) for fear, and Jesus came and stood among them. Even fear-driven gathering draws the risen Lord.

Key Bible Verses

1 Corinthians 11:17 When you come together (synerchomenon) it is not for the better but for the worse.
1 Corinthians 11:18 For, in the first place, when you come together (synerchomenon) as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you.
1 Corinthians 14:23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together (synerchomenon) and all speak in tongues.
Acts 1:6 So when they had come together (synelthontes), they asked him.
John 20:19 On the evening of that day, the disciples were gathered together (synegmenoi), for fear of the Jews.
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