Fellow worker (4904) sunergos by Greek Word Studies

Fellow worker (4904)(sunergos from sun = together with, speaks of an intimate relationship + érgon = work) means literally working together with and thus refers to a companion in work, a colleague, a co-laborer, a fellow laborer or fellow helper. Notice who Timothy is working with! It is as if God employs as His assistant, as it were (a fellow-worker with God)! Notice that in 1 Corinthians, Paul refers to all believers God’s fellow workers (1 Cor 3:9). Think of our familiar English word derived from sunergos - Synergy which describes combined action or operation. It is interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Timothy + God = supernatural synergy! In the NT, sunergos is used only of a co–worker or helper in the Christian work. In each instance sunergos conveys the idea of an affectionate partnership and not merely that of an impersonal, official relationship. Paul twice specifically includes godly women among his fellow workers (Prisca or Priscilla Ro 16:3) and Euodia and Syntyche, two godly but quarreling members of the church at Philippi who had shared Paul’s “struggle in the cause of the gospel” (see note Philippians 4:3). Thayer writes that sunergos "with a genitive of the person (refers to) one who labors with another in furthering the cause of Christ." This word refers to someone who is a team player, who does not seek to run or control things on his own, nor serve for selfish or personal agendas. Keathley says that sunergos... refers to someone who is a team player. This is someone who does not seek to run or control things on his own, nor serve for selfish or personal agendas. There are two aspects of a team player in the body of Christ: 1.He or she is one who is a fellow worker with God. The head of the body is the Lord Jesus. The church belongs to Christ, not us. This means we are to get our orders and spiritual strength from the Lord and allow Him to work in and through us. We work as God’s fellow workers by submission to Him and by faith in His provision. 2.This also means we are to work together with our brethren in Christ as a part of God’s team. There is no such thing as a one-man team. We work to build up others and to help the body to function as a body. It means team work with each believer doing his share for the goals of the Head and the team. In addition, sunergos brings out the fact that Timothy was a worker, which, in New Testament terms, means a minister or a servant of others. Selfish, self-centered agendas spoil our ability to not only be team players, but to work as servants. (1Thessalonians 3:1-13 ) This great word is used 13 times (predominantly by Paul) in the NT... Romans 16:3 (note) Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus... 16:9 (note) Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved...16:21 (note) Timothy my fellow worker greets you, and so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. 2 Corinthians 1:24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm. 2 Corinthians 8:23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, they are messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. Philippians 2:25 (note) But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; Philippians 4:3 (note) Indeed, true comrade, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Colossians 4:11 (note) and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision; and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 1Thessalonians 3:2 (note) and we sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, Philemon 1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker...24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. 3 John 1:8 Therefore we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers with the truth. Gospel of Christ - In chapter 2 Paul referred to it as the Gospel of God three times emphasizing its origin and authority. Here the phrase Gospel of Christ emphasizes the One in and through Whom the good news was made available, the central "theme" of the Good News being the Christ. Paul is the only NT writer to use the specific phrase Gospel of Christ (click his 8 uses). Hiebert offers a more technical explanation noting that... The genitive "of Christ" may be interpreted as either a subjective or objective genitive. Under the former it denotes the gospel that is Christ's, which He has ordained to be preached; under the latter it points to the gospel that tells of Christ, the good news about Him as Savior. The latter seems to be the meaning here. (Hiebert, D. Edmond: 1 & 2 Thessalonians: BMH Book. 1996)

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Fellow worker (4904) sunergos

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