συμφωνέω

From the study of Matthew 18:19

Range of meaning

From syn ('together') + phōnē ('sound, voice'): (1) sound together, be in harmony (music); (2) match, fit with (Luke 5:36; Acts 15:15, where the prophets' words 'agree'); (3) come to an agreement, settle on terms, make a deal (Matt 20:2, 13, the landowner who 'agreed' with workers for a denarius; Acts 5:9, Ananias and Sapphira 'agreed together').

Against the English

English 'agree' can mean simply sharing an opinion, or in church language both saying 'amen' to the same request. The Greek usually points to an accord actually reached between parties, often after something had to be worked out.

How it drifted

In popular devotional use 'agree' became a prayer method: two people align their requests and expect the answer. That narrower sense comes from later prayer teaching, not from the word.

Used elsewhere in the period

Classical Greek uses it of musical harmony. Papyri use it for commercial and contractual agreements. In the Greek Old Testament (LXX), Isa 7:2 says Aram 'came to an agreement' (synephōnēsen) with Ephraim, an alliance; 4 Kgdms 12:9 has the priests agreeing to an arrangement about temple funds. (BDAG s.v. συμφωνέω.)

From the study of Acts 5:9

Range of meaning

Literally 'to sound together' (the source of English 'symphony'). From there: to be in harmony, to agree, and in business settings to come to terms or strike a deal. In the passive with a dative it is impersonal: 'it was agreed by/between you'.

Against the English

KJV, WEB and ESV-type renderings ('agreed together') keep the joint, deliberate sense. NIV and NLT render it 'conspire', which brings out the scheming but adds a stronger tone. BSB's 'agree' loses the 'together'.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Gospels: Matthew 20:2, 13, where the vineyard owner 'agreed' with the workers on a denarius (a wage deal), and Matthew 18:19, 'if two of you agree on earth'. In papyri and ordinary Greek it is common for settling contract terms. BDAG gives both 'be in agreement' and 'come to an agreement' for this verse.

From the study of Matthew 20:13

Range of meaning

Literally "to sound together" (the root of "symphony"). Hence to be in harmony, to agree, and in commercial use to come to terms or strike a bargain over a price. With the genitive of price, it means to agree on that sum.

Against the English

English "agree" is accurate. What it can hide is that this is the technical language of making a deal, the verb of a hiring contract.

Used elsewhere in the period

Matt 20:2 ("having agreed with the labourers for a denarius a day"). Also Acts 5:9 (Ananias and Sapphira "agreed together") and Matt 18:19 (two who "agree"). The commercial sense of agreeing on terms or price is attested in papyri (BDAG s.v. 3).