Koinonia is a Greek word that is used frequently in the New Testament. It is often translated into English as “fellowship”, “sharing”, “participation”, or “partnership”. The basic meaning of the word koinonia is “commonness” or “communion”. It describes the state of being a partner, having things in common, or sharing things together.
In the Bible, koinonia refers first and foremost to the fellowship believers have with God through Jesus Christ. Because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, Christians enjoy communion with God and share in the life and love of the Trinity. As 1 John 1:3 (ESV) says, “that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
This vertical fellowship with God in turn creates horizontal fellowship between believers. All Christians share the common salvation and life provided by Jesus Christ. There is a spiritual bond and unity amongst believers. 1 John 1:7 (ESV) states, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” The early church devoted themselves to this fellowship amongst believers through praying, eating, and living together (Acts 2:42-47 ESV).
So koinonia refers to the fellowship, sharing, and partnership that Christians experience because of their common salvation in Jesus Christ. It is the spiritual communion and participatory nature that believers share with God and with one another. Some key aspects of koinonia include:
Sharing in Christ’s Sufferings
An important part of koinonia is sharing in Christ’s sufferings. When we become united to Jesus through faith, we also become united with Him in His death and sufferings. Philippians 3:10 (ESV) says, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.” Suffering for Christ produces endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5 ESV). By sharing in the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings, Christians follow Christ’s example and become more like Him.
Sharing Material Resources
Koinonia also involves the sharing of material resources to meet the needs of fellow believers. In Acts 2 and 4, the early church shared their possessions and money generously with one another. Romans 15:26 (ESV) describes how Paul was collecting money from Gentile churches to support the poor Christians in Jerusalem. 2 Corinthians chapters 8-9 provide additional examples of financial sharing and generosity between churches. When Christians use their material resources to bless and support fellow believers, koinonia is demonstrated.
Sharing Spiritual Gifts
Every Christian has been given spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit to build up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7 ESV). Examples of these gifts include teaching, encouragement, generosity, leadership, mercy, etc. As each member uses their unique gifts together in the church, unity, growth and maturity occur. Sharing these diverse spiritual gifts for the common good is an important way koinonia is expressed in the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ESV).
Sharing the Lord’s Supper
The practice of the Lord’s Supper (Communion, Eucharist) is a special expression of koinonia. As Christians eat the bread and drink the cup together, they commemorate and proclaim Christ’s death on their behalf until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV). Sharing this meal spiritually unites believers to the crucified body and blood of Jesus Christ and also unites them to one another. It is a beautiful picture of fellowship with Christ and His church.
Sharing Victory in Christ
Koinonia also refers to the shared victory believers have in Jesus Christ. Through faith in Christ, Christians are united with Jesus in His resurrection victory and triumph over sin and death. Believers share the assurance and hope of eternal life because of what Jesus accomplished for them on the cross (1 Corinthians 15:50-57 ESV). This is the fellowship of His victory over Satan, sin and the grave that He shares with all who trust in Him (1 John 5:4 ESV).
Practical Expressions
Fellowship with God through shared life in Christ should result in practical spiritual activities that build up the body of Christ. The book of Acts describes how the early church devoted themselves to expressions such as:
- Studying the apostles’ teaching together (Acts 2:42 ESV)
- Praying together regularly (Acts 2:42 ESV)
- Eating meals together (Acts 2:42 ESV)
- Worshipping together (Acts 2:47 ESV)
- Making disciples together (Acts 2:47 ESV)
- Meeting needs in the church (Acts 2:44-45 ESV)
- Having heartfelt fellowship together (Acts 2:46 ESV)
- Praising God together (Acts 2:47 ESV)
- Sharing communion together (1 Corinthians 11:17-34 ESV)
- Exercising spiritual gifts together (1 Corinthians 12, 14 ESV)
- Serving one another in love (Galatians 5:13 ESV)
- Submission to church leaders (1 Peter 5:5 ESV)
As Christians fellowship together through activities such as these, koinonia is practiced and the church functions properly as the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ESV). The diversity of the church united under Christ is revealed.
Key Points
In summary, here are some key biblical points about koinonia, or Christian fellowship:
- Koinonia first describes the believer’s spiritual communion with God through shared life in Jesus Christ.
- This vertical fellowship creates horizontal fellowship between believers in the church.
- Koinonia involves sharing in Christ’s sufferings, spiritual gifts, resources, the Lord’s Supper, and Christ’s victory.
- Practical expressions include worship, service, meals, study, prayer, discipleship, communion, etc.
- Fellowship in the body of Christ reflects the unity and diversity of those saved in Jesus.
- Koinonia makes the gospel visible as believers live out their partnership in community.
Implications for the Church
Understanding koinonia has significant implications for the practice of Christian community and church life. Here are some key considerations:
- Church is not just an event or place, but a community of people sharing life together.
- Unity amongst believers does not mean uniformity – diversity of gifts and callings should be encouraged.
- Believers have a responsibility to discover and use their gifts for others, not just themselves.
- Deep fellowship requires vulnerability, honesty, humility, and accountability.
- Koinonia happens best in small groups, not just large gatherings.
- Expressions of fellowship should capture both celebration and service.
- Koinonia points to the need for greater interaction and sharing across churches.
- Without true koinonia, church practices can become cold, formal and institutional.
As churches seek to grow in authentic biblical fellowship, their witness of the gospel to the watching world is strengthened. The koinonia found in true Christian community should reflect the self-giving love and unity shared by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Warnings from Scripture
The New Testament also offers sober warnings about those who would threaten genuine koinonia in the church. Christians are told to avoid, discipline or restore those who promote the following:
- Divisiveness – Romans 16:17-18 ESV warns against those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to biblical teaching. Their smooth talk deceives the hearts of the naive.
- Sexual Immorality – 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 ESV teaches that those involved in sexual sin must be removed from fellowship to avoid corrupting the church.
- Idolatry – 1 Corinthians 10:14 ESV commands believers to “flee from idolatry” which destroys koinonia with Christ.
- False Teaching – 2 John 1:9-11 ESV prohibits showing hospitality to false teachers or assisting their work, or believers share in their wicked work.
While koinonia entails loving service towards outsiders (Galatians 6:10 ESV), the fellowship of believers must be guarded against destructive influences that would pollute Christian community or dishonor God.
Koinonia in the Early Church
The book of Acts provides many snapshots of koinonia in the early church. Here are some examples:
- The Holy Spirit was poured out on believers gathered together, uniting them (Acts 2:1-4 ESV).
- Pentecost saw communal living, shared meals, prayer, and praise (Acts 2:42-47 ESV).
- Peter and John participated in healing ministry together (Acts 3 ESV).
- The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection together (Acts 4:33 ESV).
- Barnabas generously sold property to provide for fellow believers (Acts 4:36-37 ESV).
- Ananias and Sapphira lied about their giving and were disciplined (Acts 5:1-11 ESV).
- The early church devoted themselves to instruction, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer (Acts 2:42 ESV).
- Leaders were appointed to manage food distribution to widows (Acts 6:1-7 ESV).
This pattern of generosity, mutual care, worship, celebration, and sacrifice amongst believers continued as the church spread beyond Jerusalem into Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8 ESV).
Metaphors for the Church
The New Testament uses various metaphors and images when describing the church. These metaphors capture different aspects of koinonia experienced in Christian community:
- Body – 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 ESV. Emphasizes unity, diversity and interdependence. All members need each other.
- Bride – Revelation 21:9 ESV. Illustrates the church’s intimacy with Christ as a husband loves his wife.
- Building – 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 ESV. Highlights that the church is God’s temple, built on Christ.
- Flock – Acts 20:28 ESV. Suggests the nurturing care and protection Christ gives as the Good Shepherd.
- Household – Ephesians 2:19 ESV. Conveys the adoption, access and familial relationship believers have as God’s household.
- Branches – John 15:1-11 ESV. Pictures dependence on Christ as the vine that supplies life and fruitfulness.
These word pictures capture the shared connection, community and partnership that koinonia describes. The church corporately experiences Christ’s intimate presence and empowering through the Spirit.
Koinonia and the Trinity
The profound fellowship, sharing and unity described by koinonia directly mirrors the relationship between members of the Trinity. Jesus prayed in John 17:20-23 ESV that believers would experientially share in the same unity He shares in the godhead with the Father and the Spirit.
The perichoresis or mutual indwelling of the Trinity models perfect koinonia. There is intimacy, reciprocity, self-giving love, joyful fellowship, shared glory, and seamless unity among the Father, Son and Spirit. This sends a message to the church – koinonia is not just an activity but a reflection of the Triune communion we were created to share in (1 John 1:3 ESV).
The church should strive to mirror the koinonia of the Trinity by loving one another as Jesus loved us (John 13:34 ESV). As we abide in God’s love and share His life together, Christ’s prayer for unity is realized (John 17:20-26 ESV). The mission of God flows out of this kind of fellowship.
Barriers to Koinonia
While God intends for His church to experience rich koinonia, there are various barriers that can threaten its full realization. These include:
- Individualism – Self-sufficiency instead of interdependence.
- Consumerism – Church seen as a service provider, not family.
- Isolationism – Lack of accountability and transparency.
- Homogenization – Demographic and cultural uniformity.
- Segregation – Separation along racial, social or gender lines.
- Technology – Virtual instead of face-to-face interactions.
- Institutionalism – Programs over relationships. Events over belonging.
- Commercialization – The church leveraged for money and fame.
These forces can erode rich fellowship between believers and put undue focus on secondary matters. By growing in authentic community, the church can overcome these barriers and reflect God’s koinonia.
Fostering Koinonia in Churches
Here are some practical ways that churches and small groups can foster deeper koinonia:
- Cultivate diversity – Bring together a variety of ages, cultures, economic levels, etc.
- Multiply small groups – Limit sizes for intimacy, care and sharing.
- Create serving opportunities – Kitchens, youth, homeless, etc.
- Share meals frequently – Break bread together like the early church.
- Pray conversationally – Listen and interact, not just recite lists.
- Develop mentoring relationships – Spiritual wisdom passed personally between believers.
- Study Scripture communally – Discuss and apply the Bible together.
- Worship passionately – Celebrate God’s greatness, goodness and grace as a spiritual family.
- Pursue reconciliation – Restore relationships, forgive quickly, extend mercy.
- Share needs honestly – Avoid superficial spirituality, be real.
As churches intentionally pursue these kinds of activities, koinonia grows. Believers learn to embody the gospel by loving one another, just as Christ has loved us (John 13:35 ESV).
Koinonia and Christ’s Return
The consummation of fellowship with Christ and His church will occur when Jesus returns. The celebration, unity and intimacy that Christians currently experience in part will be fully realized for all eternity at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9 ESV).
Believers’ communion with the triune God will know no end in the new creation. The presence of sin, death and suffering which marred koinonia will be forever abolished. The church will adore Christ and participate in the divine fellowship unhindered forever (Revelation 21-22 ESV).
This glorious hope of perfected fellowship with God and His redeemed people sustains struggling Christians today. One day, the fragmented koinonia we taste now will blossom into endless rejoicing as the bride is united with her Husband forever.
