Greek word · G4783

συγκατάθεσις

synkatathesis

agreement

Literally a "setting down together": a joint vote, assent, agreement reached together, consent to a decision. Used in Greek political and philosophical language (Stoics used it for the mind's assent).

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

συν-κατά-θεσις (Rec συγκ-), -εως, ἡ

(συνκατατίθημι)

concord, agreement: 2 Corinthians 6:16 (Polyb., Plut., al.).†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 2 Corinthians 6:16

Range of meaning

Literally a "setting down together": a joint vote, assent, agreement reached together, consent to a decision. Used in Greek political and philosophical language (Stoics used it for the mind's assent).

Against the English

"Agreement" is accurate but can sound mild, like "compatibility". The word suggests a deal or settled arrangement between parties.

Used elsewhere in the period

Appears only here in the NT. The related verb is used in LXX Exod 23:1, 32 (do not join with the wicked; make no covenant/agreement with them) and in Luke 23:51 (Joseph of Arimathea "had not consented to" the council's decision). Papyri use it for agreements and assents.

Where it appears

2 Corinthians · 1

  1. 2 Corinthians 6:16 συγκατάθεσις agreement

    What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

    Here: Literally a "putting down together" (as of votes): a shared decision or settled agreement. Asks whether God's shrine and idols could ever be party to a common arrangement.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.