sugklēronomos

Years ago the Holy Spirit shared with me the intimacy of adoption ... that I am not an orphan, but a son ... that I have a wealthy and rich inheritance ...

In my subsequent journey through the weeks and months and years that followed, I learned more and more about what this really means.

I progressively learned how to apply my authority as sugklēronomos ... something that we certainly were not taught by the institutional church!

So, what is a sugklēronomos?

A sugklēronomos is a heir!

But we need to understand what an heir is. Our western mindset has a very limited concept of the word.

So, let's start at the beginning. We are quoting from Romans 8 from verse 14. The word sugklēronomos is a compilation word that comes from the two Greek words sun and klēronomos.

The Greek word Sun is a primary preposition that denotes union, togetherness or companionship ... and (wait for it ...) completeness.

The word klēronomos itself is a compilation word from klēros (meaning a portion or acquisition, heritage, lot or inheritance) and nomos (a parcel, prescribed piece of land, a determining regulation of law). Klēronomos means the inheritor or possessor by law.

So, putting it all together sugklēronomos is the joining together of the legal heirs. Who? Jesus and you. You are a joint-heir with Him.

In terms of the Bible context

Adam Clark provides a good summary of the context and I'll quote him saying: To do justice to St. Paul’s reasoning, this chapter must be read in the closest connection with the preceding. There we have seen the unavailing struggles of an awakened Jew, who sought pardon and holiness from that law which he was conscious he had broken; and in which he could find no provision for pardon, and no power to sanctify. This conviction having brought him to the very brink of despair, and, being on the point of giving up all hope, he hears of redemption by Jesus Christ, thanks God for the prospect he has of salvation, applies for and receives it; and now magnifies God for the unspeakable gift of which he has been made a partaker.

... and now

Paul is now, in verse 12 and what follows, explaining the concept of living in the Spirit of Christ and says in Romans 8:14 -17: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons (descendants) of God

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs (Klēronomos); heirs (Klēronomos) of God, and joint-heirs (sugklēronomos) with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

In terms of proper heir-ship widely understood throughout the world

In terms of inheritance and estate laws worldwide, there is a difference between an heir and a beneficiary.

Simply put, an heir is a bloodline relative of the deceased , such as a spouse, parent, child or adopted child. However, in terms of law, just because someone is an heir doesn’t necessarily mean this person will inherit when a family member he or she is related to by blood passes away.

A beneficiary, on the other hand, has to be specifically named in the deceased’s will or trust. Beneficiaries can be any person, organization, entity or group. In other words, a beneficiary may be an heir or blood relative, but may also be a friend or favorite charity.

But in our case the Bible is clear ... we have become children!

In the case of sugklēronomos it is clear cut! A sugklēronomos can be nothing but an heir in the truest sense of the word. Not only is this the true meaning of the word heir-ship, but you will be surprised to know that we are also heirs by virtue of the blood of Jesus ... just as Paul had explained prior to declaring his living-by-the-Spirit part of his letter.

Not just stuff ...

In the western culture we normally inherit physical objects, money wealth, property, etc.

In ancient times though, if your father was a king, you would not just inherit the castle and other worldly possessions, but also the the whole of the estate support system which will include servants, workers, the army and other governance structures - in other words authority to run the affairs of the estate. This is the same position we find ourselves in in being sugklēronomos. Whosoever shall say onto this mountain ... Mark 11:23

This is the reason why Jesus was so impressed with the Roman Centurion who knew his authority. Mat 8:5-13

Where else?

The word sugklēronomos is used only on four occasions in the Bible. Once here where Paul explains that we are children of God, and also in the following instances:

• gentiles (those not under Jewish and Mosaic law) are sugklēronomos: That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel Eph 3:6
• those who live by faith, receiving Christ as ekklēsia, are sugklēronomos:  By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise  Heb 11:9
• men and women alike are sugklēronomos: Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. 1 Peter 3:7

Someone died

For an heir to inherit someone must die. And Someone did.

Jesus died on a cross more than 2000 years ago, taking our sins and transgressions and iniquities with him. He took all of our wrongness and gave us all his rightness so that we may become the righteousness of God.In fact, He died our death and therefore we died.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2 Co 5:21

But He is the first of many. Romans 8:29

... and Someone raised

Klēronomos and sugklēronomos!

HalleluYAH!