SPECIAL TOPIC: KOINŌNIA

SPECIAL TOPIC: KOINŌNIA (FELLOWSHIP)

The term "fellowship" (koinōnia) means

1. close association with a person

a. with the Son (cf. 1 John 1:6; 1 Cor. 1:9)

b. with the Spirit (cf. 2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1)

c. with the Father and the Son (cf. 1 John 1:3)

d. with other covenant brothers/sisters (cf. 1 John 1:7; Acts 2:42; Gal. 2:9; Philemon v. 17)

2. close association with things or groups

a. with the gospel (cf. Phil. 1:5; Philemon 6)

b. with the blood of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 10:16)

c. not with darkness (cf. 2 Cor. 6:14)

d. with suffering (cf. Phil. 3:10; 4:14; 1 Pet. 4:13)

3. gift or contribution done in generous fashion (cf. Rom. 12:13; 15:26; 2 Cor. 8:4; 9:13; Phil. 4:15; Heb. 13:16)

4. God's gift of grace through Christ, which restores mankind's fellowship with Him and his brothers and sisters

This asserts the horizontal relationship (human to human) that is brought about by the vertical relationship (human to Creator). It also emphasizes the need for and joy of Christian community. The verb tense stresses the start and continuance of this experience of community (cf. Acts 1:3 [twice],6,7). Christianity is corporate!