Greek word · G4961

συστρατιώτης

systratiōtēs

fellow soldier

A fellow soldier, a comrade on the same campaign. Paul uses it only here and of Archippus (Phlm 2).

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

συν-στρατιώτης (Rec. συσ-), -ου, ὁ

a fellow-soldier (Plat., Xen., al.). Metaphorical, of fellowship in Christian service: Philippians 2:25, Phm 2 .†

(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 Philippians 2:25

Range of meaning

A fellow soldier, a comrade on the same campaign. Paul uses it only here and of Archippus (Phlm 2).

Against the English

'Fellow soldier' is accurate in all major versions. What English readers may miss is how strongly the word would land in Philippi.

Used elsewhere in the period

Common in Greek military writers such as Xenophon. Generals used it as a flattering form of address to their troops, to build solidarity. Paul uses military imagery elsewhere for gospel work (1 Cor 9:7; 2 Cor 10:3–4; Phil 1:27–30, 'contending side by side').

From the study of Philemon 1:2

Range of meaning

Fellow soldier, comrade-in-arms; someone who serves in the same campaign and shares its dangers.

Against the English

Translations agree on 'fellow soldier'. A modern reader may hear either a literal army veteran or modern 'spiritual warfare' language. Paul's sense is solidarity in shared hardship for the gospel.

Used elsewhere in the period

Xenophon, Anabasis 1.3.6, where commanders address their troops as fellow soldiers. Roman generals called their men commilitones ('fellow soldiers') to show solidarity (Suetonius, Julius 67). Epictetus, Discourses 3.24.34, says every life is a military campaign. In the New Testament it appears only here and in Philippians 2:25 (Epaphroditus); compare 2 Timothy 2:3.

Where it appears

Philippians · 1

  1. Philippians 2:25 συστρατιώτην fellow soldier

    But I thought it necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my needs.

    Here: A comrade-in-arms who shared the campaign and its dangers. It suits a man who risked his life (2:30), and it would land well in Philippi, a Roman colony settled by army veterans.

Philemon · 1

  1. Philemon 1:2 συστρατιώτῃ fellow soldier

    to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets at your house:

    Here: A comrade who serves in the same campaign. Paul uses the image for someone who has shared the hardship and risk of his mission work. It is an honour title, like the one he gives Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25.

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