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Unveiling the Word

In biblical studies, understanding Greek words like κοινωνέω (koinoneō) is essential for grasping the depth and richness of the New Testament’s message. The term koinoneō is particularly significant as it encapsulates the concept of sharing, fellowship, and participation within the early Christian community. This word appears in Romans 12:13, where the Apostle Paul encourages believers to “share with the Lord’s people who are in need.” In both the New Testament and ancient Greek culture, koinoneō carries the idea of communal living, mutual support, and the active sharing of resources, which were foundational to the social and spiritual life of early Christians.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: κοινωνέω, transliterated as koinoneō [koi-no-NEH-oh].

Etymology: The term koinoneō is derived from the root word koinos, meaning “common” or “shared.” The verb form, koinoneō, means “to share,” “to partake,” or “to have fellowship.” It conveys the idea of participating in something together, often implying a close bond or partnership.

Part of Speech: Verb. As a verb, koinoneō describes an action involving sharing or participating. It appears in various grammatical moods, tenses, and voices, highlighting different aspects of fellowship and communion among believers.

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Defining Meanings

1. To Share or Partake: The primary meaning of koinoneō is “to share” or “to partake” in something, usually referring to material goods, spiritual blessings, or responsibilities.
2. To Have Fellowship: The word also denotes “to have fellowship” or “to be in partnership,” emphasizing the relational aspect of sharing in the Christian community.
3. To Communicate or Contribute: Another meaning is “to communicate” or “to contribute,” especially in the sense of supporting others with resources, aid, or encouragement.

Exploring Similar Words

1. κοινωνία (koinonia) [koy-no-NEE-ah]: Refers to “fellowship,” “communion,” or “partnership.” While koinoneō is a verb describing the action of sharing, koinonia is a noun that describes the state or result of such sharing or fellowship.
2. μετέχω (metechō) [me-TEH-kho]: Means “to partake” or “to share in.” It emphasizes participating or having a share in something, similar to koinoneō, but is often used in more specific contexts, such as sharing in a meal or a religious rite.
3. διακονέω (diakoneō) [dee-ak-o-NEH-oh]: Means “to serve” or “to minister.” While it can involve sharing resources, it focuses more on the service aspect rather than the mutual fellowship implied by koinoneō.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Tense, Voice, Mood: koinoneō is a verb that can be conjugated in various tenses, voices, and moods:

• Present Tense: Indicates a continuous or habitual action, e.g., “I am sharing.”
• Aorist Tense: Describes a simple, completed action, e.g., “I shared.”
• Perfect Tense: Indicates a completed action with ongoing results, e.g., “I have shared.”
• Active Voice: The subject performs the action, e.g., “They share the bread.”
• Passive Voice: The subject receives the action, e.g., “The bread is shared.”

Person and Number: koinoneō is conjugated to match the subject in person (first, second, third) and number (singular, plural).

Aspect: The verb has different aspects—imperfective (ongoing action), perfective (completed action), or stative (a state resulting from an action).

Conjugation Table: Present Indicative of κοινωνέω

For more on Greek verb conjugations, Click here for a beginners guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

The term koinoneō is pivotal in understanding the concept of Christian fellowship and communal living. It appears in contexts emphasizing mutual care, support, and partnership, such as sharing with those in need, participating in the Lord’s Supper, or contributing to the work of ministry. The lexicons highlight its theological significance in illustrating the early church’s life, where believers were encouraged to be generous and selfless, sharing not just their material goods but their lives as well. In classical Greek literature, koinoneō could refer to any form of sharing or partnership, often without the deep spiritual implications seen in the New Testament. This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Romans 12:13: “Share [κοινωνοῦντες] with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
   This verse uses koinoneō to emphasize the practical aspect of Christian fellowship—sharing resources to support one another.
2. Hebrews 13:16: “And do not forget to do good and to share [κοινωνίας], for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
   Here, koinoneō is tied to the idea of sacrificial giving, aligning with God’s will for communal support.
3. Philippians 4:15: “Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared [ἐκοινώνησεν] with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only.”
   This verse highlights the church’s unique partnership and support for Paul’s ministry.

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The word koinoneō carries profound implications for understanding the communal and participatory nature of early Christianity. It reflects the essence of fellowship, mutual aid, and sharing that characterized the early church, distinguishing it from other social structures of the time. The theological depth of this word illustrates how sharing goes beyond mere material distribution, extending to a shared life in Christ.

Did You Know?

1. Koinoneō is closely related to the Greek word koinonia, which has become synonymous with Christian fellowship in modern theology.
2. The root word koinos is also the basis for the English word “coin,” reflecting the idea of something common or shared.
3. Early Christian communities were often recognized by their willingness to koinoneō, or share their resources, with the needy, which set them apart from other religious and social groups of the time.