συνευωχέομαι

I feast sumptuously with

Definition

The verb συνευωχέομαι means to feast or banquet together with others, often implying a lavish, celebratory meal. In the New Testament, it carries a negative connotation, describing the self-indulgent behavior of false teachers who participate in excessive feasting within the Christian community. In 2 Peter 2:13, these individuals are said to 'revel in the daytime' and 'carouse' (συνευωχούμενοι) with believers, exploiting fellowship for pleasure. Jude 12 similarly uses the word to depict these corrupt leaders as 'hidden reefs in your love feasts,' feasting (συνευωχούμενοι) without reverence, turning a sacred communal meal into an occasion for gluttony.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only twice in the New Testament, both in warnings against false teachers. It appears in 2 Peter 2:13 and Jude 12, where it describes their participation in the community's fellowship meals (agape feasts). The usage pattern is uniformly negative, highlighting hypocrisy and sensual indulgence within a religious context.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition σύν (syn, meaning 'with' or 'together') combined with the verb εὐωχέομαι (euōcheomai), which means 'to feast sumptuously' or 'to entertain lavishly.' The compound emphasizes communal, shared feasting. The root εὐωχέομαι itself comes from εὖ (eu, 'well') and ἔχω (echō, 'to have'), conveying the idea of having a good feast.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it exposes the corruption of Christian fellowship and worship. The agape feast was meant to be a sacred expression of unity and charity (Acts 2:46). Συνευωχέομαι, used pejoratively, shows how false teachers can twist spiritual practices into opportunities for selfish indulgence, blurring the line between holy communion and worldly revelry. Understanding this enriches reading by highlighting the serious biblical concern for purity in communal worship and the danger of hypocrisy.

In the 1st-century Greco-Roman world, communal feasts were central to social and religious life. For early Christians, the 'love feast' (agapē) was a shared meal preceding the Lord's Supper, fostering community and caring for the poor. Συνευωχέομαι, in its negative use, reflects a cultural breach: turning this solemn, charitable gathering into a disorderly, self-serving banquet akin to pagan symposia, which could involve excess and impropriety.

εὐωχέομαι (euōcheomai, G2169) — The simpler root verb meaning 'to feast' or 'entertain,' without the explicit communal emphasis. ἑστιάω (hestiaō, G2169 in some editions) — To entertain or feast, focusing more on hospitality. κῶμος (kōmos, G2970) — A revel, carousal, often implying riotous, nocturnal feasting, more explicitly debauched.

Word Details

Scripture References