συμπρεσβύτερος
sympresbýteros
G4850 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A colleague in the office of elder; one who serves together with others as an elder or senior member of a group, especially in community or assembly leadership. The term emphasizes shared status or mutual participation in a council of elders (presbyters), rather than individual authority. In context, it refers to one who holds the same rank, typically within a religious or communal council.
Semantic Range
fellow elder, co-presbyter, colleague in the office of elder, one sharing presbyterial status, member of an assembly of elders
Root / Etymology
From the preposition σύν ('with, together with') and the adjective/office title πρεσβύτερος ('elder, senior'); compound formation indicating joint participation or equality in presbyterial status. No evidence for derivation from non-Greek sources.
Historical & Contextual Notes
Used only once in the New Testament (1 Peter 5:1), where the author self-identifies as a συμπρεσβύτερος among those addressed as 'elders.' Highlights collegiality and shared experience/rank among elders in the early assembly setting, contrasting with hierarchical titles that denote singular leadership. The background of πρεσβύτερος refers to an elder in age or office, frequently within Jewish and early Christian communal leadership. The addition of σύν underscores membership alongside others, akin to 'fellow-elder' or 'co-presbyter.' English translations often render this as 'fellow elder,' but the nuance of shared office and status may be underemphasized in translation. There is no evidence that the term was used as an established office title beyond this literary instance; rather, it functions as a descriptive, emphasizing commonality of role. In broader Greek usage, σύν-compounds often denote shared participation or mutual standing, as here. The term does not imply specific function or rank above others, but situates the speaker within the same presbyterial body.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from σύν and πρεσβύτερος; a co-presbyter:--presbyter, also an elder.
Root Family
συμπρεσβύτερος (sympresbyteros) — with, together with, elder, senior
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4850-01 |
συνπρεσβύτερος | sunpresbuteros | N NOM M SG |
fellow elder | fellow elder | fellow elder | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G4850-01 |
1 Peter 5:1 | συνπρεσβύτερος | sunpresbuteros | N NOM M SG |
fellow elder | fellow elder | fellow elder |