In my last post, I hinted at my thoughts on fellowship with other followers of Christ. This is a subject that continues to be on my mind. I’d like to talk about this in more detail.

The first thing that I tend to do when trying to understand terms that I use every day is to consider their meaning:

fel·low·ship

1.a. The condition of sharing similar interests, ideals, or experiences, as by reason of profession, religion, or nationality.

b. The companionship of individuals in a congenial atmosphere and on equal terms.

2. A close association of friends or equals sharing similar interests.

3. Friendship; comradeship.

This definition could be applied to any church, group or friendship that is developed. As I researched a little further though, the word “koinonia” surfaced. The definition for this word intrigued me:

Christian fellowship or communion with God or with fellow Christians; said in particular of the early Christian community.

This is something that I so desire to be real and alive in my life. Yes, I have people that I share my life with and the relationships are vibrant and touch me in very profound ways. In saying this, I realize that there are relationships that would be better described as forced. This is what causes me to rethink what are we doing as Christians to cultivate the relationships or fellowship that God intends for us to have.

In reading further, I come across some interesting info about the spiritual meaning of the word “koinonia”. According to The Free Dictionary,

“The word has such a multitude of meanings that no single English word is adequate to express its depth and richness. It is a derivative of “koinos,” the word for common. Koinonia, is a complex, rich, and thoroughly fascinating Greek approach to building community or teamwork.”

There are several contexts that this word is used:

“Generous Sharing…When koinonia is present, the spirit of sharing and giving becomes tangible…”

Partnership…The common ground by which the two parties are joined together creates an aligned relationship, such as a ‘fellowship’ or ‘partnership.’

Marriage: Two people may enter into marriage in order to have “koinonia of life”, that is to say, to live together a life in which everything is shared. Koinonia was used to refer to the marriage bond, and it suggested a powerful common interest that could hold two or more persons together.

Spiritual Relationship…koinonia highlights a higher purpose or mission that benefits the greater good of the members as a whole. The term “enthusiasm” is connected to this meaning of koinonia for it signifies “to be embued with the Spirit of God in Us.”

Fellowship : To create a bond between comrades is the meaning of koinonia when people are recognized, share their joy and pains together, and are united because of their common experiences, interests and goals. Fellowship creates a mutual bond which overrides each individual’s pride, vanity, and individualism, fulfilling the human yearning with fraternity, belonging, and companionship. This meaning of koinonia accounts for the ease by which sharing and generosity flow. When combined with the spiritual implications of koinonia, fellowship provides a joint participation in God’s graces and denotes that common possession of spiritual values.

Community : The idea of community denotes a “common unity” of purpose and interests. By engaging in this united relationship a new level of consciousness and conscience emerges that spurs the group to higher order thinking and action, thus empowering and encouraging its members to exist in a mutually beneficial relationship. Thus community and family become closely intertwined, because aiming at a common unity strives to overcome brokenness, divisiveness, and, ultimately gaining wholeness with each of the members, with their environment, and with their God. By giving mutual support, friendship and family merge. Both fellowship and community imply an inner and outer unity. No where in the framework of community is their implied a hierarchy of command and control. While there is leadership, the leader’s task is to focus energy, and align interests, not impose control.”

What this says to me is that the true meaning of koinonia is one of action, not passively meeting with others, but really “knowing” other believers in Christ. Can you do that in your “fellowship”? Can you be known and are you able to know others?

As an aside, the word “know” describes an intimate relationship, one that Christ has with us.

“I am the good shepherd, and I know my own and my own know me…” John 10:14

This is my heart’s desire: that the true meaning of koinonia will be evident in my life, that I will be able to know others and will allow others to know me.

Merry Christmas!