Original Word: συνίστημι / συνιστάνω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: sunistémi and sunistanó
Pronunciation: soo-nis'-tay-mee / soo-nis-tan'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (soon-is-tah'-o)
KJV: approve, commend, consist, make, stand (with)
NASB: commend, commending, commends, demonstrates, commended, demonstrated, formed
Word Origin: [from G4862 (σύν - along) and G2476 (ἵστημι - standing) (including its collateral forms)]

1. to set together
2. (by implication) to introduce (favorably)
3. (figuratively) to exhibit
4. (intransitively) to stand near
5. (figuratively) to constitute

approve, commend

Or (strengthened) sunistano (soon-is-tan'-o), or sunistemi (soon-is'-tay-mee) from sun and histemi (including its collateral forms); to set together, i.e. (by implication) to introduce (favorably), or (figuratively) to exhibit; intransitively, to stand near, or (figuratively) to constitute -- approve, commend, consist, make, stand (with).

see GREEK sun

see GREEK histemi

4921 synistáō (from 4862 /sýn, "union, together with" and 2476 /hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, "stand together," referring to facts "lining up" with each other to support (commend) something.

Word Origin
from sun and histémi
Definition
to commend, establish, stand near, consist
NASB Translation
commend (3), commended (1), commending (3), commends (2), demonstrated (1), demonstrates (2), formed (1), hold together (1), prove (1), standing (1).

STRONGS NT 4921: συνιστάνω

συνιστάνω and συνιστάω, see the following word.

STRONGS NT 4921: συνίστημισυνίστημι (Romans 3:5; Romans 5:8; Romans 16:1; 2 Corinthians 10:18; Galatians 2:18 Rec.; participle συνιστάντες, 2 Corinthians 4:2 L T Tr; L T Tr), or συνιστάνω (2 Corinthians 5:12; Galatians 2:18 G L T Tr WH; infinitive συνιστάνειν, 2 Corinthians 3:1 R G T WH; participle συνιστάνων, 2 Corinthians 4:2 WH; WH; L T Tr WH), or συνιστάω (infinitive συνισταν, 2 Corinthians 3:1 L Tr; participle συνίστων, 2 Corinthians 4:2 R G; R G; Rec.; see ἵστημι); 1 aorist συνέστησα; perfect συνέστηκα; 2 perfect participle συνεστώς (nominative plural neuter συνεστωτα, 2 Peter 3:5 WH marginal reading); present passive infinitive συνίστασθαι; from Homer, Iliad 14, 96 down;

1. to place together, to set in the same place, to bring or band together; in the 2 aorist, perfect and pluperfect intransitively, to stand with (or near): συνεστώς τίνι, Luke 9:32.

2. to set one with another i. e. by way of presenting or introducing him, i. e. to commend (Xenophon, Plato, Demosthenes, Polybius, Josephus, Plutarch): τινα, 2 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 10:12, 18; τινα τίνι, Romans 16:1; 2 Corinthians 5:12 (cf. Buttmann, 393 (336)); τινα πρός συνείδησιν τίνος, 2 Corinthians 4:2; passive, ὑπό τίνος, 2 Corinthians 12:11 (1 Macc. 12:43; 2 Macc. 4:24).

3. to put together by way of composition or combination, to teach by combining and comparing, hence, to show, prove, establish, exhibit (Winer's Grammar, 23 (22)): τί, Romans 3:5; Romans 5:8 (εὔνοιαν, Polybius 4, 5, 6); ἑαυτούς ὡς τινες, 2 Corinthians 6:4; with two accusatives, one of the object, the other of the predicate, Galatians 2:18 (Diodorus 13, 91; συνίστησιν συτον προφήτην, Philo rer. div. haer. § 52); followed by an accusative with an infinitive (cf. Buttmann, 274 (236)), 2 Corinthians 7:11 (Diodorus 14, 45).

4. to put together (i. e. unite parts into one whole), perfect, pluperfect and 2 aorist to be composed of, consist: ἐξ ὕδατος καί δἰ ὕδατος, 2 Peter 3:5 (cf. Winers Grammar, § 45, 6 a.; (see above, at the beginning)); to cohere, hold together: τά πάντα συνέστηκεν ἐν αὐτῷ, Colossians 1:17 (Plato, de rep. 7, p. 530 a.; Tim., p. 61 a.; (Bonitz's index to Aristotle (Berlin Acad. edition) under the word συνισταναι), and often in ecclesiastical writings; (cf. Lightfoot on Colossians, the passage cited)).

STRONGS NT 4921a: συνκατανεύω [συνκατανεύω: 1 aorist participle συνκατανευσας; to consent to, agree with: Acts 18:27 WH (rejected) marginal reading (Polybius 3, 52, 6; others.)]

Overview of Usage

Strong’s 4921 occurs sixteen times in the Greek New Testament, moving along two closely linked axes: (1) “to hold together / stand with,” and (2) “to commend, prove, or demonstrate.” Context decides whether the word highlights cosmic cohesion in Christ, the verification of character, or the proper giving and receiving of recommendations within the body of Christ.

Christ’s Cosmic Cohesion

Colossians 1:17 declares, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Here the verb points to the continuous, sustaining action of the risen Lord, whose sovereignty keeps every created element in harmony. Peter echoes the thought: “by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water” (2 Peter 3:5). Even on the Mount of Transfiguration “the two men standing with Him” (Luke 9:32) reinforces the theme of all reality finding its proper place around Christ’s glory. The term therefore supports a robust doctrine of providence: creation is neither autonomous nor random; it coheres because Christ actively “holds” it.

Demonstration of Divine Character

The word frequently shifts from cosmological to moral proof. “But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God…” (Romans 3:5); “God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God’s attributes are not abstractions; they are verified in history and in the gospel. Because the verb is perfect tense in both verses, the proof stands completed and enduring—unchangeable evidence for every generation.

Apostolic Commendation and Ecclesial Letters

In the Greco-Roman world, travelers carried letters introducing their character and mission. Paul employs the verb in this established practice: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe” (Romans 16:1). He also asks whether “letters of recommendation” are needed (2 Corinthians 3:1). The concept undergirds church order: authentic ministry is publicly attested, not self-appointed. Practical implications include ordination councils, missionary support letters, and the welcoming of visiting teachers.

Authenticity in Ministry and Personal Integrity

Paul presses the same root when defending his own work:
• “By open proclamation of the truth we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience” (2 Corinthians 4:2).
• “Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way” (2 Corinthians 6:4).
• “We are not commending ourselves to you again” (2 Corinthians 5:12).

Instead of polished résumés, Paul offers transparent suffering, perseverance, and fidelity to Scripture as living credentials. The church today still tests leaders by the same yardstick.

Godly Sorrow and True Repentance

The root also marks the evidence of changed lives: “In every way you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter” (2 Corinthians 7:11). Likewise, rebuilding a discarded legalism would “prove” Paul “to be a transgressor” (Galatians 2:18). Repentance is therefore measurable; it shows itself in zeal, restitution, and doctrinal consistency, not mere sentiment.

The Danger of Self-Commendation

Paul warns, “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves” (2 Corinthians 10:12), concluding, “It is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends” (2 Corinthians 10:18). Spiritual influence collapses when built on self-promotion. Ultimate validation rests with the Lord, often mediated through the informed judgment of a discerning congregation.

Pastoral Application Today

1. Worship: Colossians 1:17 invites believers to marvel at Christ’s ongoing maintenance of creation and to trust His sovereignty in personal crises.
2. Evangelism: Romans 5:8 provides a template for presenting the gospel—the cross is God’s historical, objective proof of love.
3. Church Governance: Romans 16:1 and 2 Corinthians 3:1 establish the precedent for written and communal endorsement of workers.
4. Leadership Integrity: 2 Corinthians 4–6 calls ministers to commend themselves by faithful exposition and transparent living rather than marketing techniques.
5. Discipleship: 2 Corinthians 7:11 reminds mentors to look for observable fruit when assessing repentance.
6. Humility: 2 Corinthians 10 cautions every believer against the folly of measuring worth by self-reference.

In sum, Strong’s 4921 paints a unified picture: the same Lord who holds the cosmos together also validates ministries, proves His love, and calls His people to lives that commend the gospel they profess.

συνέστη συνέστηκε συνεστηκεν συνέστηκεν συνεστηκός συνεστηκότας συνέστησαν συνεστήσαντο συνεστήσαντό συνεστησατε συνεστήσατε συνέστησεν συνεστωσα συνεστώσα συνεστῶσα συνεστωτας συνεστώτας συνεστῶτας συνιστανειν συνιστάνειν συνιστανομεν συνιστάνομεν συνιστανοντες συνιστάνοντες συνιστανοντων συνιστανόντων συνίσταντες συνιστανω συνιστάνω συνιστανων συνιστάνων συνιστασθαι συνίστασθαι Συνιστημι Συνίστημι συνίστησι συνιστησιν συνίστησιν συνιστώντες συνίστωρ συννεφείν συννεφής συννύμφης σύννυμφός συστήναι συστήσασθε sunesteken sunestēken sunestesate sunestēsate sunestosa sunestōsa sunestotas sunestōtas sunistanein sunistano sunistanō sunistanomen sunistanon sunistanōn sunistanontes sunistanonton sunistanontōn sunistantes sunistasthai Sunistemi Sunistēmi sunistesin sunistēsin synesteken synestēken synésteken synéstēken synestesate synestēsate synestḗsate synestosa synestôsa synestōsa synestō̂sa synestotas synestôtas synestōtas synestō̂tas synistanein synistánein synistano synistanō synistáno synistánō synistanomen synistánomen synistanon synistanōn synistánon synistánōn synistanontes synistánontes synistanonton synistanontōn synistanónton synistanóntōn synistantes synístantes synistasthai synístasthai Synistemi Synistēmi Synístemi Synístēmi synistesin synistēsin synístesin synístēsinInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts