Lexical Summary sunteleó: To complete, to accomplish, to bring to an end Original Word: συντελέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance finish, fulfill, make. From sun and teleo; to complete entirely; generally, to execute (literally or figuratively) -- end, finish, fulfil, make. see GREEK sun see GREEK teleo HELPS Word-studies 4931 synteléō (from 4862 /sýn, "closely with" and 5055 /teléō, "to complete, finish") – properly, culminate (consummate), reaching the desired end-point (result, fulfillment). 4931 /synteléō ("culminate") focuses on the "end-point" of two or more related factors working together to reach fulfillment. 4931 /synteléō ("consummate") does not mean "terminate" but rather to complete by reaching the finishing point (A-S). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sun and teleó Definition to complete, accomplish NASB Translation effect (1), ended (1), finished (1), fulfilled (1), over (1), thoroughly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4931: συντελέωσυντελέω, συντέλω; future συντελέσω; 1 aorist συνετέλεσα; passive, present infinitive συντελεῖσθαι; 1 aorist συνετελεσθην (John 2:3 T WH 'rejected' marginal reading), participle (συντελεσθεις; from Thucydides and Xenophon down; the Sept. often for כִּלָּה; also sometimes for תָּמַם, עָשָׂה, etc.; 1. to end together or at the same time. 2. to end completely; bring to an end, finish, complete: τούς λόγους, Matthew 7:28 R G; τόν πειρασμόν, Luke 4:13; ἡμέρας, passive, Luke 4:2; Acts 21:27 (Job 1:5; Tobit 10:7). 3. to accomplish, bring to fulfilment; passive, to come to pass, Mark 13:4; λόγον, a word, i. e. a prophecy, Romans 9:28 (ῤῆμα, Lamentations 2:17). 4. to effect, make (cf. our conclude): διαθήκη, Hebrews 8:8 (Jeremiah 41:8, 15 5. to finish, i. e. in a use foreign to Greek writings, to make an end of: συνετελέσθη ὁ οἶνος τοῦ γάμου (was at an end with), John 2:3 Tdf. after the Sinaiticus manuscript (Ezekiel 7:15 for אָכַל; to bring to an end, destroy, for כִּלָּה, Jeremiah 14:12; Jeremiah 16:4). Strong’s Greek 4931 portrays the decisive act of bringing something to its intended conclusion. Whether describing the end of a fast, the completion of prophecy, or the finalizing of God’s covenant purposes, the verb consistently underscores the certainty and thoroughness with which God finishes what He begins. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. Mark 13:4 – The disciples ask, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that all these things are about to be fulfilled?” Their question frames history around God’s sure completion of His redemptive plan, anticipating both Jerusalem’s fall and the consummation of the age. 2. Luke 4:2, 13 – After “forty days of fasting in the wilderness,” Jesus’ testing by the devil reaches its limit; then, “when the devil had finished every temptation, he left Him until an opportune time.” The verb marks the exhaustive nature of Christ’s trial: every possible temptation was brought to completion, demonstrating His perfect obedience. 3. Acts 21:27 – “When the seven days were nearly over,” opposition to Paul erupts in the temple. The purification period approaches completion just as an abortive attempt to thwart Paul’s mission begins, emphasizing the inevitability of gospel advance despite human resistance. 4. Romans 9:28 – Quoting Isaiah, Paul writes, “For the Lord will carry out His sentence on the earth, fully and without delay.” God’s righteous accounting—both in judgment and salvation—is swift and comprehensive, guaranteeing the integrity of His covenant promises. 5. Hebrews 8:8 – In announcing the new covenant, God declares, “I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” The verb underlines the decisive inauguration of a better covenant, grounded in Christ’s finished work. Historical and Septuagint Background The Septuagint frequently uses this term for completing sacrifices, finishing the construction of the tabernacle, or bringing prophecies to their consummation (Exodus 40:33; Daniel 9:24). By the first century, the verb carried strong eschatological overtones—an expectation that God would soon complete His promises to Israel. The New Testament writers tap into that backdrop, affirming that Jesus inaugurates and guarantees the final stage of redemptive history. Theological Themes • Divine Sovereignty: Each occurrence stresses that God alone determines when and how His purposes reach their end. Application in Ministry 1. Confidence in God’s Timeline – Pastors can encourage congregations that apparent delays never indicate abandonment; God completes His work “fully and without delay.” Related Concepts End, consummation, fulfillment, accomplishment, perfection, finish. Each reflects facets of God’s unwavering resolve to bring creation, redemption, and judgment to their ordained completion. Doctrinal Implications Eschatology: Predictive prophecy is anchored in the certainty of divine completion. Soteriology: Salvation rests on Christ’s once-for-all accomplishment, not on human effort. Bibliology: Scripture’s unity is demonstrated as prophecies uttered in Isaiah and Daniel reach fulfillment in the New Testament narrative. Pastoral Reflections The verb calls the church to live expectantly. Just as the devil’s temptations reached their terminus, so sin and suffering will meet their divine end. Until then, believers labor in hope, “being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). Englishman's Concordance Mark 13:4 V-PNM/PGRK: μέλλῃ ταῦτα συντελεῖσθαι πάντα NAS: are going to be fulfilled? KJV: these things shall be fulfilled? INT: are going these things to bring to conclusion all Luke 4:2 V-APP-GFP Luke 4:13 V-APA-NMS Acts 21:27 V-PNM/P Romans 9:28 V-PPA-NMS Hebrews 8:8 V-FIA-1S Strong's Greek 4931 |
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