συγκεράννυμι

I mix with, unite

Definition

The verb συγκεράννυμι means 'to mix together,' 'to blend,' or 'to unite.' In its two New Testament occurrences, it carries a figurative sense of combining or uniting distinct elements into a cohesive whole. In 1 Corinthians 12:24, it describes how God has 'blended' or 'harmonized' the members of the body (the church) together, emphasizing unity in diversity. In Hebrews 4:2, it refers to the message of faith being 'mixed with' or 'united with' belief in those who heard it, highlighting the necessary combination of hearing and faithful reception for the word to be effective.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both in figurative contexts. In 1 Corinthians 12:24, it is used in Paul's metaphor of the church as a body, describing God's act of harmoniously combining the different members. In Hebrews 4:2, it describes the essential union of the gospel message with personal faith in the hearers. Both uses emphasize a purposeful, divine blending of distinct elements to create a functional or effective result.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition σύν (syn, meaning 'with' or 'together') and the verb κεράννυμι (kerannymi, meaning 'to mix,' especially liquids like wine and water). The compound form intensifies the sense of a thorough mixing or uniting. Cognates include κεράννυμι (G2767) and the noun κρᾶσις (krasis, 'mixture' or 'temperament').

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it illustrates divine agency in creating unity. In 1 Corinthians 12:24, it underscores that the cohesion and mutual care within the church body are God's intentional work, not human achievement. In Hebrews 4:2, it highlights that the power of God's word is activated only when it is intimately combined with faith. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by emphasizing that true spiritual unity and effectiveness come from God's blending work.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, the act of mixing, especially of wines or medicines, was a common and practical concept. The imagery would be readily understood by Paul's and the Hebrews' original audiences. The term implies a skillful or artful combination, not a haphazard jumbling, which informs the biblical emphasis on God's wise and purposeful design in uniting believers or joining faith to hearing.

κεράννυμι (kerannymi, G2767) — The simpler root verb meaning 'to mix,' often of liquids, without the intensive 'together' prefix. ἑνόω (henoō, G1774) — 'to unite' or 'make one,' focusing more on the result of oneness rather than the process of blending. μίγνυμι (mignymi, G3396) — 'to mix' or 'mingle,' a more general term for physical mixing or association.

Word Details

Scripture References