συγκακοπαθέω

I suffer hardships together with

Definition

The verb συγκακοπαθέω means to endure hardship or suffering together with someone else. It combines the idea of partnership (σύν, 'with') and enduring difficulty (κακοπαθέω, 'to suffer hardship'). In its sole New Testament use in 2 Timothy 1:8, it carries the sense of actively sharing in the afflictions experienced by another, specifically the sufferings associated with the gospel. This is not merely observing hardship but willingly entering into it in solidarity. The term implies a deliberate, costly choice to stand alongside a fellow believer in their trials.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 2 Timothy 1:8. Paul exhorts Timothy: 'Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.' Here, it is used in a pastoral context, urging Timothy to join Paul in enduring the hardships that come from proclaiming the Christian message. The usage is relational and missional, connecting personal loyalty with commitment to the gospel's cause.

Etymology

The word is a compound verb formed from the preposition σύν (syn, meaning 'with' or 'together'), the noun κακός (kakos, meaning 'bad' or 'evil'), and the verb πάσχω (paschō, meaning 'to suffer' or 'to experience'). Literally, it means 'to suffer bad things together with.' It is related to the simpler verb κακοπαθέω (G2553, 'to endure hardship'), with the prefix σύν adding the crucial communal dimension.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it captures a core Christian ethic of communal solidarity in suffering, particularly for the faith. It moves suffering from a private experience to a shared testimony, reflecting the nature of the church as a body (1 Corinthians 12:26). It also connects to the doctrine of discipleship, where taking up one's cross (Matthew 16:24) is often a shared journey. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting that Christian endurance is not a solitary endeavor but a partnership strengthened by God's power (2 Timothy 1:8).

In the Greco-Roman world, hardship and suffering were often seen as evils to be avoided. Philosophers like the Stoics emphasized enduring hardship with personal fortitude. Paul's use of this term introduces a distinctly Christian, relational counterpoint: suffering is to be endured with others, especially for the sake of the gospel. This transformed suffering from a mark of shame or mere personal trial into a potential bond of fellowship and witness within the Christian community.

κακοπαθέω (kakopatheō, G2553) — to endure hardship generally, without the explicit 'with others' component. | συμπάσχω (sympaschō, G4841) — to suffer with, often with a stronger emphasis on feeling compassion or sympathy. | κοινωνέω (koinōneō, G2841) — to share in or participate in something, which can include sufferings (Romans 15:27, Philippians 4:14), but is a broader term for partnership.

Word Details

Scripture References