The Greek word koinonia is often translated as “fellowship.” It might bring to mind potlucks, wedding receptions, funerals, etc., but koinonia means so much more than a gathering of people. It also includes participation, contribution, and even partnership. Let’s consider it as a progression for a moment.
When someone hears the good news of salvation and decides to make Jesus their Lord, they pledge allegiance to the King and enter his kingdom. This brings them into a shared citizenship with others: fellowship. But the Kingdom of God is more than an impersonal government. He calls it a family and a body. There’s a deep level of interconnection we have to one another because of our connection to Jesus. He is the Head of the body, the Father of the family, and the King of the kingdom. By our fellowship with him, we gain fellowship with one another. Koinonia.
Taking the next step, fellowship leads to participation. The Apostle Paul describes participation in the body and blood of Jesus when we take the communion cup and bread (1 Cor 10:16). Communion symbolizes and spiritually facilitates a joining together, making “...we, who are many, one body, for we all share the one loaf” (1 Cor 10:17). A personal act of participation, eating the bread and drinking the cup, unites us. Koinonia.
The next step brings us to contribution. In several places, the Bible describes acts of fellowship that are personal and costly. God’s interconnected people care for each other and the poor through service and monetary contributions. In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul talks about the joy and generosity of the Macedonian church in “sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.” He’s talking about an offering collected to support the Jerusalem Christians suffering under a famine. God’s people serve and contribute to help those in need. Koinonia.
Finally, we consider the aspect of partnership. Business partners share ownership and responsibility. This gives a helpful picture for understanding how the Bible talks about kingdom partnership. In several places, the New Testament letters discuss this idea of partnership (Ph 1:5; Phm 6). True believers buy in—they support the ministry of others spreading the Gospel. True believers take ownership—they understand themselves as commissioned by Jesus to share the good news too! God’s people partner together to accomplish the mission. Koinonia.
Koinonia is both a responsibility and a blessing. We’re responsible for offering koinonia and we’re blessed to receive it from other members of the family of God. Let’s continue to cultivate rich koinonia here at New Day.