σύν is a preposition that conveys association with someone or something. It is used with the dative and locative cases to express intimacy, closeness, or physical proximity.
Since the locative and dative cases use the same endings, context and how the preposition is assisting the noun in its relationship to the sentence will determine which case is used. Case is always a result of function, not form. The dative case conveys personal interest, whereas the locative case expresses physical location.
In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus likened the kingdom of the Heavens to a man who traveled to a far country and gave three of his servants some of his money to manage while he was gone. In Matthew 25:27, σύν is used with the dative case. When he returned, one of his servants had buried the money to protect it rather than use it to increase his master’s wealth. This malignantly evil and lazy servant is rebuked for his actions. At the very least, he should have put the money in the bank so that it would be returned to his master with interest.
σύν expresses our association with Christ in His death in Romans 6:8. Since we died with Christ, we also live with Him. The second occurrence of “with” in this passage expressed in this verse is a compound word that uses σύν with living (συζάω) to express our closely associated life with Christ as a result of our association with His death.
In the locative case, σύν conveys a physical closeness. In Romans 8:32, σύν expresses that we are freely given all things with Christ, as shown by God not sparing His own Son but delivering Him up for us all. At the end of the book of Romans, Paul lists a few of the saints who are physically with him and desire to send greetings to the saints in Rome, Romans 16:14–15.
σύν is extensively used in composition. This use adds emphasis to other words, expressing a close affiliation.
συνάγω conveys a close gathering by combining σύν with ἄγω. When the Magi came from the east looking for the King of the Jews, Herod gathered together the chief priests along with the scribes of the people to inquire where Christ would be born, Matthew 2:4. In Troas, on the first day of the week, the disciples gathered together to break bread, Acts 20:7–8.
συνείδησις is a combination of σύν with οἶδα that conveys the concept of a conscience. Conscience is intuitive knowledge closely associated with a person’s actions. Based upon their knowledge, the conscience will either accuse or excuse a person’s actions, Romans 2:15. Due to the conscience being based upon intuitive knowledge, it can be weak when it comes to food, drink, and observation of days, 1 Corinthians 8:12; 10:25–27. When we suffer because of a good conscience, which relates to how our knowledge of who we are in Christ aligned with our actions, we are participating in a benefit God has given to us without consideration of merit; to suffer for righteousness, 1 Peter 2:19. It is honorable to suffer for a good conscience toward God when we wrongfully suffer for doing what is right.
συνετός combines σύν (“with” or “together”) with ἵημι (“to set or place”) to express the bringing together of things. Thus, it conveys understanding. In Matthew 11:25, Jesus communicated to the Father, thanking Him for hiding the things related to the Kingdom of the Heavens from the wise and understanding of that time, but revealing it to the inarticulate babblers. The educated, who should have known that Christ was coming, did not grasp who He was. However, those who were not brought up as scribes and priests recognized that He was the Messiah.
Within the Greek New Testament, σύν is found in composition with approximately 135 different words. Thus, it has a significant role in clarifying the use of words when a close association is indicated.
