Greek word · G4830

συμμέτοχος

symmetochos

sharer

A co-partaker or joint sharer: someone who holds a share in something together with others. It can be used of partners in an enterprise, or of accomplices.

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated October 31, 2026

What it means

συν-μέτοχος (Rec. συμμ-), -ον,

partaking together with; as subst., ὁ σ., a joint partaker (with dative of person(s) and genitive of thing(s), FlJ, BJ, i, 24, 6): with genitive of thing(s), Ephesians 3:6; with genitive of person(s), Ephesians 5:7 (Arist.).†

(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 Ephesians 3:6

Range of meaning: A co-partaker or joint sharer: someone who holds a share in something together with others. It can be used of partners in an enterprise, or of accomplices.
Against the English: BSB, WEB and NASB 'fellow partakers' keep the 'co-'. KJV 'partakers' drops it and so breaks the three-part pattern. NIV and ESV 'sharers/partakers' are close.
Used elsewhere in the period: The word is rare. It is found in Josephus (Jewish War 1.486, per BDAG) and in later papyri, documents written on papyrus. In the NT it appears only in Ephesians, here and in 5:7 ('do not become sharers with them'), so the same author uses it for joint participation in both directions.

From the study of Ephesians 5:7

Range of meaning: A compound of σύν (with, together) and μέτοχος (sharer, partner, someone holding a portion of something). It means a joint sharer, a co-participant: someone who holds a share in something together with others. It can describe sharing in an activity, an enterprise, a benefit or an outcome.
Against the English: KJV, NASB, BSB and WEB have 'partakers'. That is accurate, but it sounds old-fashioned and today mostly suggests eating ('partake of a meal'). NIV and ESV have 'partners', which sounds like a business or romantic relationship. NRSV's 'be associated with them' moves furthest from the word: it makes the issue social contact instead of a shared stake.
How it drifted: 'Partaker' has mostly dropped out of everyday English. Paraphrases such as 'associated with' then turn a word about sharing in something into a word about being around someone.
Used elsewhere in the period: The word is rare. In the New Testament it appears only in Ephesians, here and at 3:6. BDAG lists it as rare outside the New Testament and cites Josephus (Jewish War 1.486) for 'sharing with' someone. The simpler μέτοχος is common. The Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) uses it at Psalm 44:8 (45:7 in English Bibles) for 'companions', and Hebrews uses it at 3:1 and 3:14 for 'sharers in a heavenly calling' and 'sharers of Christ'.

Where it appears

Ephesians · 2

Ephesians 3:6 συμμέτοχα joint-partakers

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.

Here: These are people who hold a share together with others. Here it means an equal share in 'the promise'. Its only other New Testament use is Ephesians 5:7.
Ephesians 5:7 συμμέτοχοι partakers

Therefore do not be partakers with them.

Here: 'Fellow sharers': people who hold a share in something together with others. It echoes 3:6, where Gentile believers were made 'co-sharers of the promise'. Here the readers must not become co-sharers with the disobedient, that is, in their way of life and in the wrath it brings.

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