According to the Merriman-Webster Dictionary, the word “Koinonia” means:
i) the Christian fellowship or body of believers;
ii) intimate spiritual communion and participative sharing in a common religious commitment and spiritual community
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Koinonia. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved April 9, 2021, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/koinonia
According to the Greek, “Koinonia” (/ˌkɔɪnoʊˈniːə/) is a transliterated form of the Greek word κοινωνία, which connotes a fellowship, joint partnership, and sharing of everything! Similarly, in Hebrew, koinonia denotes “fellowship”, “sharing”, “participation”, and “contribution”.
You may ask, why is it important to understand the meaning of the word and its application? It is important in this case because after the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in the Book of Acts, we see koinonia in action! (Acts 2:44-47).
Part of the change that occurred in the disciples’ lives was the spirit of joint ownership and distribution of everything they owned! That element of selfishness or acting in isolation was gone! The disciples were in fellowship with one another! This formidable show of unity caused them to overcome in the face of the persecution that impacted the early Church! They all acted as one! They had believed in one messiah! They received power (dunamis) to become witnesses for the messiah, to tell others of their transformation!
What does koinonia (partnership or fellowship) mean to us as a part of the body of Christ? It means that we must be joined together in the bond of having the same Father, having experienced the same salvation! What is a relationship that is devoid of fellowship? I will let you answer that!
We need to watch out for and help each other! Galatians 6:9-10. In verse 9, the Bible encourages us not to be weary in welldoing! In verse 10:
Galatians 6:9-10 Amplified Bible
9 Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. 10 So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers).
We need to continue to love people! God’s Word commands us to reach out to and help people see how much God loves them! God gives us an added responsibility of being a blessing to the body of believers!
The lyrics of the hymn, “Bind us together” by Bob Gillman (1974) are so profound in this regard:
Bind us together, Lord
Bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken
Bind us together, Lord
Bind us together
Bind us together in LoveThere is only one God,
There is only one King
There is only one Body,
That is why we sing.
Is there room for improvement here on how we love people? Absolutely! Now that we know better let us do better!
Thank you for hanging out with me! Dr. Abi Adeleke, #hangingoutwithdrabi on Spotify
