Aug. 5, 2026

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.

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