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Divine Partnership: κοινωνία (Strong’s G2842: koinonia) Unites Believers Together
κοινωνία
Pronounced: koy-nohn-EE-ah
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Strong’s G2842: From koinos (common); communion, fellowship, or partnership. Denotes intimate participation and sharing in community. A foundational concept in early Christian practice expressing unity of spirit and shared life in Christ. Central to understanding early church dynamics and communal worship.
U – Unveiling this Word
κοινωνία represents one of the most significant theological concepts in New Testament Christianity, encompassing deep spiritual fellowship, mutual participation, and shared life in Christ. Its primary meaning of communion or fellowship extends beyond mere social interaction to indicate a profound spiritual union. In early church usage, it described the intimate sharing of life together – both in spiritual matters and practical support. This concept was revolutionary in the ancient world, transcending social, ethnic, and economic boundaries. Today, κοινωνία remains vital for understanding authentic Christian community, challenging our often individualistic approach to faith by emphasizing the essential nature of deep, mutual relationships in Christ.
N – Necessary Information
- Greek Word: κοινωνία, koinonia, koy-nohn-EE-ah
- Pronunciation Guide: k as in “key”, oi as in “coin”, nō as in “know”, nia as in “knee-ah”
- Part of Speech: Feminine Noun
Etymology:
- κοιν- (koin-): root meaning “common, shared”
- -ωνία (-ōnia): suffix denoting state or condition
- Combined meaning: state of sharing or having in common
D – Defining Meanings
- Close association involving mutual interests and sharing
- Participation in something with someone
- Act of sharing in the experiences of others
For compound words:
The root κοιν- carries the idea of commonality, while the suffix -ωνία indicates a state or condition, creating the meaning of “the state of sharing in common”
Translation Options:
- Fellowship – best captures the mutual relationship aspect
- Communion – emphasizes the spiritual sharing component
- Partnership – highlights the active participation element
E – Exploring Similar Words
- φιλαδελφία (philadelphia, fil-ad-el-FEE-ah) – brotherly love, differs in focusing specifically on familial affection See G5360
- ὁμόνοια (homonoia, hom-ON-oy-ah) – unity of mind, emphasizes mental agreement See G3661
- μετοχή (metoche, met-OCH-ay) – partnership, more focused on formal associations See G3352
R – Reviewing Morphology
As a feminine noun, κοινωνία exhibits these features:
- Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
- Number: Singular, Plural
- Gender: Feminine
- Declension: First declension
Examples:
- Nominative: κοινωνία (subject)
- Genitive: κοινωνίας (of fellowship)
- Dative: κοινωνίᾳ (in/by/with fellowship)
- Accusative: κοινωνίαν (direct object)
Cross-references:
- Verb form: κοινωνέω (to share, participate)
- Adjective form: κοινωνικός (ready to share)
S – Studying Lexicon Insights
BDAG defines κοινωνία as close association involving mutual interests and sharing, emphasizing both the abstract concept of communion and its concrete manifestations. Thayer’s highlights its use for both the share one has in anything and the intercourse/fellowship itself. LSJ traces its classical usage to mean communion, association, and partnership. Vine’s emphasizes its dual aspect of “having in common” and “giving a share.” Strong’s connects it to the concept of partnership. Moulton and Milligan’s papyri findings show its use in business partnerships and marriage contracts, indicating its broad semantic range in everyday life. This rich lexical background reveals κοινωνία as a term encompassing both spiritual and practical dimensions of shared life.
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T – Tracing Related Scriptures
First appearance:
Acts 2:42: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship (κοινωνία), in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Additional References:
1 Corinthians 1:9
2 Corinthians 13:14
Philippians 2:1
1 John 1:3
1 John 1:6
1 John 1:7
A– Analyzing Classical Usage
| Author: Work | Text |
|---|---|
| Plato: Republic | “The perfect state requires fellowship (κοινωνία) among its citizens” |
| Aristotle: Politics | “Man’s nature as a political animal is shown through fellowship (κοινωνία) with others” |
| Isocrates: Panegyricus | “Through fellowship (κοινωνία) in religious festivals, Greeks maintain their unity” |
N – Noteworthy Summary
κοινωνία represents a cornerstone concept in Christian theology and practice, embodying the supernatural unity possible through Christ. It transcends mere social interaction to express the deep spiritual bond shared among believers and with God Himself. This fellowship manifests in practical sharing of resources, mutual support, and spiritual encouragement. The good news of King Jesus is that through His sacrifice, we can enter into this divine fellowship, breaking down barriers that typically divide humanity and creating a new community united in Him. This fellowship extends both vertically (with God) and horizontally (with fellow believers), making visible the transformative power of the Gospel.
D – Did You Know?
- The word koinonia is the root of the English term “coin,” reflecting the idea of something common or shared.
- Koinonia is also used in secular Greek literature to describe political and economic partnerships, highlighting its versatility.
- The word appears 20 times in the New Testament in various forms
- Early church fathers used κοινωνία to describe the Lord’s Supper
- Early Christian writers like the Apostle Paul used koinonia to emphasize the spiritual unity of the church, contrasting it with worldly associations.
Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations and keyword occurrences in their Bible translation of choice. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.
Note: While this entry strives for accuracy, readers engaged in critical research should verify citations and keyword occurrences in their Bible translation of choice. For Biblical citations, the F.O.G Bible project recommends Logos Bible software.
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