[Greek] συμβιβάζω (symbibazō), [Latin] conectere: to drive together, to unite, to connect, to knit (tie) together, to join together, to “be on board together”, to consider, to conclude, to prove, to draw out, to put together; Col.2:2,19, Acts 9:22, Acts 16:10, Eph.4:16, 1Cor.2:16
The Conversion of St. Paul: painting by Domenico Morelli (1876). St. Paul was given the spiritual insight to even confound the Jews.
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to cause to stride together, to bring together, to reconcile, to compare, to infer, to show, and to draw conclusions. Plato’s Lesser Hippias 369d states, “And because I desire to learn what he means, I question him thoroughly and compare the things he says.” Thucydides’ The Peloponnesia War 2.29 states, “But he had great influence with Sitales, and they wished this prince to become their ally.” Plato’s Republic 504a states, “You remember that after distinguishing three kinds in the soul, we established definitions of justice, sobriety, bravery, and wisdom severally.” Herodotus’ The Histories 1.74 states “There was a war between the Lydians and Medes for five years. So when the day turned to night, they stopped fighting, and both were more eager to make peace.”
Old Testament: Interestingly, this term, used in a much narrow sense, means to teach someone something and to authoritatively instruct. Yahweh, Moses, Aaron, and the angels become sources of instruction and authority. Yahweh directs His spirit and instructs the fathers in Israel to be on guard to not forget the things they have seen. Yahweh tells Aaron he must be able to teach the statutes that Moses has received from Him. Angels provide guidance to Daniel and Manoah.
Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or has instructed Him as His counselor? (Isa.40:13). Whenever they have a disagreement, they come me (Moses) to have me settle the matter between them and make known to them God’s decisions and regulations (Exo.18:6). You must teach the Israelites all the laws that the Lord has given them through Moses (Lev.10:11). It is I who will assist you in speaking and will teach you what you are to say (Exo.4:12). The angel Gabriel instructed me in these words: ‘Daniel, I have come to give you understanding’ (Dan.9:22).
New Testament: This term means to unite, to conclude, to prove, and to advise (instruct). Paul stresses that the body (and its parts) are held together by the head. The unity and support of the Christian community is provided by Christ, the head of the Church. Luke writes as one of Paul’s companions in receiving a vision of a Macedonian before them. They concluded that God has called them to proclaim the gospel in Macedonia. On the road to Damascus, Paul received a vision from Jesus as to why Paul was persecuting Him. Although blinded, Paul received the insight that Jesus is the Messiah. Paul later confounds his fellow Jews in spreading Jesus’ gospel message. The Jewish expression “who has known the mind of the Lord” illustrates the great gulf between man and God. After Christ’s coming, Christians have now received the insight of the mind (will) of God.
Scripture:
“When he had seen the vision, we sought passage to Macedonia at once, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news to them.” Acts 16:10
The vision inspired (instructed) them to preach to the Macedonians.
“That their hearts may be encouraged as they are brought together in love, to have all the richness of fully assured understanding, for the knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ.” Col.2:2
The Christian community becomes encouraged with unity, love and understanding from Christ.
“But Saul grew all the stronger and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that He was the Messiah.” Acts. 9:22
Saul, although physically blinded, was given the spiritual knowledge that Jesus is the Messiah.
Etymology: This related Greek verb embibazo means to place on, to put on board, or to cause to embark. The prisoner Paul was put on an Alexandrian ship that was to set sail to Italy (Acts 27:6). Therefore symbibazo can mean “getting on board with”, meaning to agree or unite with. The Greek sym- means with or together.
Conclusion:
Connect, connection
In the Greek Hellenistic era, it was interesting to discover the many nuanced meanings of this term: to reconcile, to compare, to conclude, and to instruct. However, these meanings are “tied” together by the sense of tying, joining or putting together.
The Old Testament primarily focuses on teaching and instructing. In the New Testament, unity plays an important part with the Christian community and Jesus, the head of the Church. Faith, love, and knowledge come together for the Christians. Paul, in receiving his spiritual insight, was able to effectively “knit” (tie together) his arguments to confound the Jews. Paul effectively refutes the Jews in public, establishing that the Messiah is Jesus.
Perhaps we can all “get on board with” (agree) that this term has a very interesting and rich back story. Until we connect again!