συγχαίρω

I rejoice with

Definition

The verb συγχαίρω means 'to rejoice together with' or 'to share in someone's joy.' It conveys a sense of communal celebration, where one person's happiness becomes a source of joy for others. In the New Testament, it primarily describes rejoicing with others in their good fortune, as when neighbors rejoice with Elizabeth over the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:58) or with a shepherd who finds a lost sheep (Luke 15:6). It also carries a moral dimension, as in 1 Corinthians 13:6, where love 'rejoices with the truth,' aligning one's joy with what is right and godly.

Biblical Usage

Sygchairō is used seven times in the New Testament, appearing in Luke's Gospel, 1 Corinthians, and Philippians. In Luke, it describes shared joy in celebratory events like births and recoveries (Luke 1:58; 15:6, 9). Paul uses it to emphasize Christian unity: believers should 'rejoice with' those who rejoice, sharing in each other's experiences (1 Corinthians 12:26). In Philippians 2:17-18, it expresses mutual joy in sacrificial service, even amid suffering.

Etymology

Sygchairō is a compound verb from σύν (syn, meaning 'with' or 'together') and χαίρω (chairō, meaning 'to rejoice'). Literally, it means 'to rejoice together with.' This construction highlights the relational aspect of joy, distinguishing it from individual happiness. Cognates include συγχαρήσονται (future form) and related terms like χαρά (joy).

Semantic Range

This word underscores the biblical theme of communal joy and empathy within the body of Christ. It reflects the New Testament ethic of shared life, where believers are called to participate in each other's joys and sorrows (1 Corinthians 12:26). Understanding sygchairō enriches reading by emphasizing that Christian joy is often relational and other-centered, mirroring God's delight in His people and their unity.

In the Greco-Roman world, communal celebrations (like births or finding lost property) were important social events where shared joy strengthened community bonds. Sygchairō captures this cultural value of collective participation in good fortune, which the New Testament adapts to illustrate Christian fellowship and mutual care.

χαίρω (chairō, G5463) — a general term for 'to rejoice,' without the communal emphasis; εὐφραίνω (euphrainō, G2165) — often means 'to make glad' or 'celebrate,' sometimes in festive contexts; ἀγαλλιάω (agalliaō, G21) — denotes exultant or exuberant joy, frequently in a spiritual sense.

Word Details

Scripture References