Original Word: συγκρίνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sugkrinó
Pronunciation: soong-kree'-no
Phonetic Spelling: (soong-kree'-no)
KJV: compare among (with)
NASB: compare, combining
Word Origin: [from G4862 (σύν - along) and G2919 (κρίνω - judge)]

1. to judge of one thing in connection with another, i.e. combine (spiritual ideas with appropriate expressions) or collate (one person with another by way of contrast or resemblance)

compare, combine

From sun and krino; to judge of one thing in connection with another, i.e. Combine (spiritual ideas with appropriate expressions) or collate (one person with another by way of contrast or resemblance) -- compare among (with).

see GREEK sun

see GREEK krino

4793 sygkrínō (from 4862 /sýn, "identified with" and 2919 /krínō, "to judge") – properly, judge together, i.e. closely compare (discriminate).

4793 /sygkrínō ("judging together") is only used three times in the NT: positively in 1 Cor 2:13, and twice negatively in 2 Cor 10:12. Positively, 4793 /sygkrínō ("closely compare") means grasping truths combinatively as they are "fitly joined" into one entity, i.e. where each is understood in terms of the other (WP, 1 Cor 2:14).

[4793 /sygkrínō ("comparative evaluating") results in "unified understanding" as elements in a comparison are grasped as similar or dissimilar.]

Word Origin
from sun and krinó
Definition
to combine, compare
NASB Translation
combining (1), compare (2).

STRONGS NT 4793: συγκρίνω

συγκρίνω (T WH συνκρίνω (cf. σύν, II. at the end)); 1 aorist infinitive συγκρῖναι;

1. to join together fitly, compound, combine (Epicharm. in Plutarch, mor., p. 110 a.; Plato, Aristotle, others): πνευματικός πνευματικά, 1 Corinthians 2:13 (for Paul, in delivering the things disclosed to him by the Holy Spirit in speech derived not from rhetorical instruction but received from the same divine Spirit, 'combines spiritual things with spiritual', adapts the discourse to the subject; other interpretations are refuted by Meyer ad loc.; πνευματικός is neuter; (but others would take it as masculine and give συγκίνειν the meaning to interpret (R. V. margin interpreting spiritual things to spiritual men); cf. the Sept. Genesis 40:8, 16, 22; Genesis 41:12, 15; Judges 7:15; Daniel 5:12, etc.; see Heinrici in Meyer 6te Aufl.)).

2. according to a use foreign to the earlier Greeks (who used παραβάλλω), but frequent from the time of Aristotle onward (cf. Passow, under the word, 2; (Liddell and Scott, v. II.); Lob. ad Phryn., p. 278f; (Winers Grammar, 23 (22))), to compare: ἑαυτούς ἑαυτοῖς, 2 Corinthians 10:12 (Wis. 7:29 Wis. 15:18).

Definition and Conceptual Scope

The verb translated “to compare,” “to interpret,” or “to evaluate together” conveys the action of setting two or more things side by side so their true relationship becomes clear. It can stress discernment produced by bringing a spiritual reality into contact with something else—whether that “something else” is another spiritual reality, a person, or a standard of measurement.

Old Testament and Intertestamental Background

Hebrew wisdom literature frequently calls the righteous to examine (“weigh,” “ponder”) paths and principles (Proverbs 14:8; Proverbs 21:2). In later Greek-speaking Judaism, scribes “compared” text with text to determine meaning (cf. Septuagint use of krinō compounds). By the first century, synagogue exposition already practiced that kind of comparative exegesis, preparing the cultural soil for Paul’s employment of the word.

Usage in the New Testament

1 Corinthians 2:13 situates the verb within the realm of divine revelation. Paul insists that Spirit-taught truth must be communicated “expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words”. The action unites source, content, and vehicle: the Spirit supplies each, ensuring the message retains its heavenly character from origin to utterance. Believers, therefore, are not free to substitute human benchmarks when transmitting God’s wisdom; they must let the Spirit set the terms of comparison.

2 Corinthians 10:12 features two participles of the same root to expose the folly of self-commendation. False teachers “measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves,” thereby proving they “lack understanding”. Here the verb’s force is ironic: their only standard is one another, so genuine discernment is impossible. Paul’s apostleship, by contrast, will be weighed according to the Lord’s assignment and the divine standard of ministry (2 Corinthians 10:13-18).

The doubled occurrence in one verse underscores a vital Pauline contrast: Spirit-wrought comparison yields truth (1 Corinthians 2), flesh-driven comparison breeds vanity (2 Corinthians 10). The same mental act—placing things side by side—becomes either a gateway to revelation or a trap of self-deception, depending on the criterion employed.

Theological Significance

1. Revelation and Illumination. The word highlights the Spirit’s role not merely in giving data but in enabling the hearer to see how each piece relates to the others. Inspiration guarantees accuracy; comparison secures coherence.
2. Authority and Standard. Every exercise of judgment presupposes a norm. Scripture demands that the norm be God’s own truth, never the shifting assessments of men.
3. Humility versus Pride. Saints who compare by the Spirit grow in dependent wisdom, while those who compare by themselves slide into self-reference and pride.

Practical Application in Ministry

• Exposition: Teachers must trace the inner logic of Scripture, letting passage illuminate passage instead of forcing outside philosophical grids upon the text.
• Evaluation of Work: Churches avoid the Corinthian error when they assess leaders and programs by biblical mandates rather than popularity polls.
• Personal Growth: Believers judge thoughts, ambitions, and relationships by bringing them alongside the character of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11; 1 John 2:6).

Historical Reception

Early Church fathers (e.g., Irenaeus, Augustine) employed the word in refuting heresies, insisting that doctrines be “compared” with the full counsel of Scripture. Reformers likewise appealed to the principle of comparing Scripture with Scripture (analogia fidei) to guard against isolated proof-texts. Throughout evangelical history, faithful expositors have recognized that only Spirit-guided correlation of texts yields sound theology.

Related New Testament Motifs

• Dokimazō (“test,” “approve”)—emphasizes proving something’s genuineness.
• Anakrinō (“examine,” “investigate”)—stresses searching inquiry.
• Krinō (“judge”)—broad term for separating right from wrong.

Together they depict a multi-faceted discernment life empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Key Cross-References

1 Corinthians 2:12-16; 2 Corinthians 10:7-18; Philippians 1:9-10; Hebrews 5:14; 1 John 4:1-6.

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4793 portrays the Spirit-enabled discipline of setting truths, persons, or ministries beside the correct standard so their real worth is revealed. Used positively, it safeguards revelation; used carnally, it exposes the poverty of self-reference. The Church flourishes when it continually “compares” all things under the searchlight of the Spirit and the Word.

συγκρίναι συγκρῖναι συγκρίνοντες συγκρίνων σύγκρισιν σύγκρισις συνέκριναν συνέκρινε συνέκρινεν συνεκρότησε συνεκροτούντο συνκριναι συνκρῖναι συνκρινοντες συνκρίνοντες sunkrinai sunkrinontes synkrinai syn'krînai synkrinontes syn'krínontesInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts