συμπίνω

I drink together with

Definition

The verb συμπίνω means 'to drink together with' someone, signifying shared participation in a meal or social occasion. In its single New Testament occurrence in Acts 10:41, it specifically refers to the apostles eating and drinking with the resurrected Jesus after He rose from the dead. This action underscores the physical, tangible reality of Christ's resurrection body and His continued fellowship with His followers. The term implies more than mere consumption; it conveys companionship and shared experience within the context of a communal meal.

Biblical Usage

Συμπίνω is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 10:41. In this verse, the apostle Peter, while preaching to Cornelius's household, states that the chosen witnesses 'ate and drank with him [Jesus] after he rose from the dead.' The usage is entirely within the context of post-resurrection appearances, emphasizing the apostles' direct, physical experience as eyewitnesses to the risen Lord. The verb is paired with 'συνεσθίω' (to eat with), highlighting the full, normalcy of these shared meals.

Etymology

Συμπίνω is a compound verb formed from the preposition 'σύν' (syn), meaning 'with' or 'together with,' and the common verb 'πίνω' (pinō, G4095), meaning 'to drink.' Its formation is straightforward, combining these elements to create the sense of communal drinking. Cognates include other συν- compounds that describe shared actions, such as συνεσθίω (to eat with) and συγχαίρω (to rejoice with).

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it provides a concrete, eyewitness testimony to the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ. The act of 'drinking together with' the risen Lord confirms that His resurrection was bodily and not merely spiritual or visionary. It underscores the reality of the apostles' witness and the continuity of Jesus's identity and fellowship with His disciples after His victory over death. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting the tangible proof and intimate fellowship central to the resurrection accounts.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, sharing a meal and drink was a profound act of fellowship, hospitality, and social bonding. To 'drink together' signified acceptance, peace, and community. In the context of Acts 10:41, this cultural understanding amplifies the meaning: Jesus was not a ghost or apparition but a fully present participant in the social rituals that define human relationships, thereby validating the physical nature of His resurrection and His ongoing relationship with His followers.

συνεσθίω (synesthiō, G4906) — means 'to eat with'; often paired with συμπίνω to describe full meal fellowship. πίνω (pinō, G4095) — the root verb meaning simply 'to drink,' without the communal emphasis. μεταλαμβάνω (metalambanō, G3335) — a broader term for 'to partake of' food or drink, sometimes used in Eucharistic contexts (Hebrews 6:7).

Word Details

Scripture References