Wednesday Word Study - Fellowship - Episode 10
Key Takeaways
- The biblical meaning of fellowship goes far beyond casual church social events and friendly interaction, translating directly to active participation, communion, and partnership.
- Rooted in the Greek word koinónia, true fellowship involves contributory help where believers actively invest in and take part in each other's lives.
- According to 1 John 1:3, the ultimate distinguishing mark of Christian fellowship is a shared, participatory relationship with Father God and His Son Jesus Christ.
- The early church depicted in the Book of Acts modeled authentic fellowship by genuinely contributing to one another's daily lives just as God contributes to ours.
- God never intended for believers to experience isolation or do life alone, encouraging everyone to move from the outskirts and dive into close-knit Christian community.
Originally written August 12, 2011
posted here: https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/10/12/wednesday-word-study-fellowship/
Fellowship
Transliteration: koinónia
Phonetic Spelling: (koy-nohn-ee'-ah)
Short Definition: participation, communion, fellowship
Definition: (lit: partnership) (a) contributory help, participation, (b) sharing in, communion, (c) spiritual fellowship, a fellowship in the spirit. properly, what is shared in common as the basis of fellowship (partnership, community)
This is another word that Christians use often, which the rest of the world does not. We often use this word when referring to our Christian brothers and sisters.
But on Monday, the verse that was highlighted was:
I John 1:3 AMP
3 What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
In this verse, the word fellowship refers to our relationship with Father God. When we read about fellowship, I believe we draw a picture of friendly interaction and communication. Maybe even events where we gather and have fun. Many churches have ‘fellowship halls’ for just such occasions.
But the part that I really love about this word is in the definition where it says, ‘contributory help, participation’. When we think of fellowship in this way, it takes the meaning deeper than just friendly communication and fun times. Let’s insert this into that portion of the scripture.
And this contributory help and participation that we have is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. (brackets removed for ease of reading).
Fellowship is so much more than we have ever realized. To provide contributory help is to invest in someone’s life. You are not just a casual observer, but a ‘participant’ in their life.
This is exactly what the church in the book of Acts was! When they fellowshipped, they contributed to each other’s lives, and they took part in each other’s lives, just as Father God contributes and takes part in our lives!
I must say that I am part of a small group that lives this type of fellowship, and am so thankful that God has placed me there. If you are a person who maybe attends church but is not actively involved in a close-knit group of Christian friends or some type of small group that exhibits this type of fellowship, then let me encourage you to seek one out!
God never intended for any of us to do life alone. He never intended for any of us to feel isolated from Him or other Christian believers.
And for those of you who maybe haven’t entered into this type of fellowship in your group, contributing and taking part in others’ lives, let me encourage you to stop sitting on the outskirts. Dive on in! It will be the most fulfilling type of life you can know!
Who can you reach out to? Make a difference for someone by contributing to and taking part in their life. Reach out, contribute, take part, and invest in others today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biblical meaning of fellowship?
The biblical meaning of fellowship, derived from the Greek word koinónia, is partnership, communion, and contributory help where believers actively participate in and invest in each other's lives.
What Greek word is translated as fellowship in the New Testament?
The New Testament word for fellowship is koinónia, which phonetically sounds like (koy-nohn-ee'-ah) and literally means partnership or what is shared in common.
How does 1 John 1:3 describe fellowship?
First John 1:3 explains that Christian fellowship is not only a partnership with other believers as partakers, but fundamentally a shared relationship with God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son.
Why is active involvement in a small group important for Christians?
Active involvement in a small group allows believers to practice true biblical fellowship by contributing to and taking part in others' lives, ensuring no one has to do life alone.
Wednesday Word Study - Fellowship - Episode 10
Originally written August 12, 2011
posted here: https://forthesakeofthetruth.com/2011/10/12/wednesday-word-study-fellowship/
Fellowship
Transliteration: koinónia
Phonetic Spelling: (koy-nohn-ee'-ah)
Short Definition: participation, communion, fellowship
Definition: (lit: partnership) (a) contributory help, participation, (b) sharing in, communion, (c) spiritual fellowship, a fellowship in the spirit. properly, what is shared in common as the basis of fellowship (partnership, community)
This is another word that Christians use often, which the rest of the world does not. We often use this word when referring to our Christian brothers and sisters.
But on Monday, the verse that was highlighted was:
I John 1:3 AMP
3 What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
In this verse, the word fellowship refers to our relationship with Father God. When we read about fellowship, I believe we draw a picture of friendly interaction and communication. Maybe even events where we gather and have fun. Many churches have ‘fellowship halls’ for just such occasions.
But the part that I really love about this word is in the definition where it says, ‘contributory help, participation’. When we think of fellowship in this way, it takes the meaning deeper than just friendly communication and fun times. Let’s insert this into that portion of the scripture.
And this contributory help and participation that we have is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. (brackets removed for ease of reading).
Fellowship is so much more than we have ever realized. To provide contributory help is to invest in someone’s life. You are not just a casual observer, but a ‘participant’ in their life.
This is exactly what the church in the book of Acts was! When they fellowshipped, they contributed to each other’s lives, and they took part in each other’s lives, just as Father God contributes and takes part in our lives!
I must say that I am part of a small group that lives this type of fellowship, and am so thankful that God has placed me there. If you are a person who maybe attends church but is not actively involved in a close-knit group of Christian friends or some type of small group that exhibits this type of fellowship, then let me encourage you to seek one out!
God never intended for any of us to do life alone. He never intended for any of us to feel isolated from Him or other Christian believers.
And for those of you who maybe haven’t entered into this type of fellowship in your group, contributing and taking part in others’ lives, let me encourage you to stop sitting on the outskirts. Dive on in! It will be the most fulfilling type of life you can know!
Who can you reach out to? Make a difference for someone by contributing to and taking part in their life. Reach out, contribute, take part, and invest in others today.
Each Wednesday, I will post a Wednesday Word Study to further elaborate on a significant word from the previous Monday’s Meditation episode. On Mondays, I focus on one verse to meditate on for the week. On the Wednesday after I drill down to look at one specific word to gain further information and knowledge. Then, on the following Friday, I will post a teaching pulling it all together. Each week will provide a thorough study into a verse, a word, and then the overall concept.
Shop all versions of my novels here: Shop Here
My Media Website: NancyJacksonPodcast.com
Check out my website: NancyJacksonAuthor.com
Follow me here:
Substack: https://nancyjackson.substack.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJacksonAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAJackson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/najackson/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nancyannjackson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NancyJackson
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyajackson?lang=en
