In One Accord (ὁμοθυμαδόν)

The phrase “in one accord” (ὁμοθυμαδόν) is derived from the concept of thumos (θυμος), which signifies an inner burning heat, combined with homois (ομοιος), meaning “of the same kind.” Although “in one accord” (ὁμοθυμαδόν) originates from thumos (θυμος), it does not retain the concept of anger that thumos can convey. Instead, it only retains the intensity that thumos (θυμος) articulates.

This “together intensity” is exemplified in various Biblical and secular contexts. For instance, it is evident in those who did not want to hear the truth, stopping their ears and rushing upon Stephen in Acts 7:57. Also, with those who believed because of the signs and wonders being done through the Apostles at the beginning of the Church (Acts 8:6). In the secular realm “in one accord” (ὁμοθυμαδόν) describes the people of Tyre and Sidon appealing to Herod to maintain peace, as their country depended on him for food (Acts 12:20).

Similarly, the concept of “in one accord” appears when Gallio was proconsul in Achaia. The Jews, in one accord, rose up against Paul, angered by his success in teaching the Jewish people about the resurrected Christ and bringing Gentiles to salvation through the gospel. They express their intense togetherness against Paul to Gallio, who dismisses their complaint, stating it was not a matter of wrongdoing, or a wicked crime being committed (Acts 18:12). This ruling from Gallio finally gave Paul time to rest from the persecution by the Jews.

The silversmith Demetrius, whose primary business was selling idols of Diana, stirred up the city because the prosperity of the gospel of Christ was so predominant that it was negatively impacting his business. Demetrius persuaded the other silversmiths of their dilemma, and in their wrath, they confused the city. They all, in one accord, rushed into the theater while proclaiming, “Diana of Ephesus is great” (Acts 19:28).

After the death and resurrection of Christ, many of the saints, including the apostles, gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem. They are all together in one accord, sharing the same intensity within them (Acts 1:14). This was a particularly tense time for the saints. As Christ prepared to ascend for the final time before sending the Holy Spirit, He instructed the Apostles to stay in Jerusalem until they received the promise from the Father (Acts 1:4). The promise referred to the Comforter, Who Jesus spoke of during the last supper, saying He would send Him after His return to the Father (John 14:16). As they waited, they were uncertain of the exact timing of the promise’s fulfillment—only that it would happen soon (Acts 1:5). The phrase “in one accord” expresses their shared intensity, influenced by both the atmosphere of recent events—the crucifixion of the Messiah by Israel’s leaders, followed by His resurrection three days later—and their anticipation of the coming promise.

On the day of Pentecost, they were all together again in this same manner when the promise was fulfilled. In His coming, the Holy Spirit mentally controlled them to speak in tongues of other nations as a sign to the Jews in Jerusalem that what was happening was from God (Acts 2:1). Although the gifts are similar, the gift of speaking in tongues given to the Church is a filling that the possessor controls, not a mental controlling by the Holy Spirit.

As a result of the sign given to the Jews on the day of Pentecost—when the Holy Spirit came upon those gathered in the upper room—over three thousand devout Jews in Jerusalem came to believe that Jesus is the Messiah. They believed that He died for the sins of the people and was raised from the dead three days later, just as the Scriptures foretold. These new believers gathered in one accord in the Temple, where the Apostles taught them. Additionally, each day they were breaking bread and fellowshipping with each other, for great respect towards God had come upon all of them because of the signs the Apostles were performing (Acts 2:46).

During the time when the Apostles were teaching the Jews in the Temple concerning what Christ had told them before His death and resurrection about the age and dispensation to come. The Priests and the Sadducee had Peter and John arrested because they were greatly troubled by what they were saying. Standing before Annas, the High Priest, and the elders of Israel, Peter, under the mental control of the Holy Spirit, boldly proclaiming the truth of the resurrected Christ, the One they had crucified, but God raised from the dead.

After the leaders of Israel threatened and released them, the saints, in one accord, raised their voices to God, giving Him worship and expressing how the Scriptures revealed the nations and their rulers would stand against the Messiah. As a result of their communication to God, the whole place was shaken, and they were all mentally controlled by the Holy Spirit to speak boldly (Acts 4:24). This togetherness was not expressing that they were all of one mind. Instead, it signifies the burning intensity they all had due to the threat from the leaders of Israel.

In addressing the heresy that a Christian must be circumcised and follow the Mosaic law to mature in salvation and remain saved—a false teaching brought to Galatia by men claiming to represent the assembly in Jerusalem—Paul and Barnabas traveled to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the Apostles. The entire council determined that it is clear by how God is saving the Gentiles that He does not require circumcision for them. In agreement, they were of one accord in sending a group of men back with Paul and Barnabas to clearly express that it is not appropriate to teach such things and those who do are not from them (Acts 15:25). In agreement and of one accord, they were intensely burning together to ensure the saints knew the outcome of their decision on this matter, so they were not deceived.

As Christians, we are to have a shared intensity when it comes to bearing with one another, leading to the edification of the assembly (Romans 15:5-6). This comes from a love for each other that is expressed through ensuring we are looking after the weaknesses of others so that they do not fall. The strong are watching out for the frail in the faith, and the weak are not judging the strong in the faith. For we are all part of one body in Christ.

The phrase “in one accord” (ὁμοθυμαδόν) conveys a togetherness characterized by the same burning intensity, rather than merely doing things together, being in agreement, or sharing the same mindset. Although derived from the Greek word thumos (θυμός), meaning “an inner burning anger,” it does not retain the connotation of anger that thumos can express. Instead, it preserves the intensity of that inner burning to signify an intense, shared fervor—whether in response to opposition from others or in devotion to the care of the saints.