The Greek word symmetochos appears only twice in the New Testament. Both occurrences are in Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians. Here, it is written, “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers (symmetochos) of His promise in Christ through the gospel…Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be partakers (symmetochos) with them” (Ephesians 3:6, 5:6-7).
In addition to “partaker”, another accurate translation of symmetocho is “partner”. This compound Greek word literally means “to share in the possession of something with someone else”.
The two usages of this word in Ephesians reiterate two sobering truths: All of us have spiritual partners, and there are only two choices of partners. Through continued obedience to the gospel, we have Christ Jesus and the members of His church as our spiritual partners. When we give heed to empty words, we have the sons of disobedience as our spiritual partners.
Because it is impossible for righteousness and lawlessness, light and darkness to be partners (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1), you are either partnered with the obedient sons of God or the sons of disobedience.
So, who’s your partner?
