BIBLICAL FELLOWSHIP (Koinonia)

Fellowship is a loosely used term in the Christian vocabulary and is sadly, quite often
used in an unbiblical manner.
The greek word for fellowship is: koinonia
koy-nohn-ee'-ah
fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse It
describes the state of association or joint participation. Koinonia belongs to a family
of words used in the New Testament which describe such joint participation. Other in
this family are koinoneo , the verb meaning - to fellowship; koinonos, a noun
describing - One who fellowships; koinonikos, an adjective describing - the
willingness to fellowship, and koinos, an adjective meaning - common.
Koinonia is basically a bond or union for a united purpose. The nature of the bond or
union varies upon the nature of the purpose. For example in Luke 5:10 we are shown
where James and John were partners (koinonos) with Simon in the fishing business.
Therefore their common bond/union was for the purpose of fishing.
In Matthew 23:30-31 Jesus rebukes the Pharisees claiming they would not have been
partakers (koinonos) in the blood of their ancestors but instead are considered children
of those who killed them.
Both are examples of fellowship (bond/union/joint participation/communion for a united
purpose) yet the first is fellowship in fishing and the second in fellowship of persecution.
So we see that the word fellowship (koinonia) is not just a biblical term but a term that
can be used for any bond or union for a united purpose.
A Christian man helping his unbelieving neighbor fix his car is having fellowship in auto
mechanics. The two are united in the purpose of repairing a vehicle. Two unbelieving
women cooking dinner together are having fellowship in cooking; both being united for
the purpose of cooking a meal.
Lets look at what is biblical fellowship according to Gods Word.
Philippians 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now
(Believers are clearly shown that our fellowship is to be: in the gospel.)
1 John 1:3 shows us how this came to be:

That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have
fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son
Jesus Christ.
Fellowship between believers is to be in the gospel with the Father and His Son Jesus
Christ. Acts 2 shows us an example of this:
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in prayers.
In doctrine, in breaking of bread (Lords Supper) and prayers. All their activities were
obedient to Gods Word and their actions were all about spiritual participation unto the
Father.
(Today, the word fellowship is often refers to the eating of a common meal. While we
see that early Christians ate with one another as a result of the love they shared (Acts
2:46), nowhere in the New Testament is the word fellowship used to refer to a social,
common meal.)
More examples of biblical fellowship:
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the
communion
(koinonia) of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the
communion
(koinonia) of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one
body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
(We see how believers share in fellowship of the body of Christ through the breaking of
bread-Lords Supper.)
Romans 15:26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a
certain contribution (koinonia) for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 9:13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God
for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal
distribution ((koinonia) unto them, and unto all men
(Christians in fellowship in the spiritual work of benevolence.)
2 Corinthians 8:4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift,
and take upon us the fellowship (koinonia) of the ministering (attending to,
serving, aiding, teaching) to the saints.

(Christians praying for those who have given their lives in serving the saints such as the
apostles and those appointed by them and those who do so today.)
Galatians 2:9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars,
perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the
right hands of fellowship (koinonia); that we should go unto the heathen, and
they unto the circumcision.
(Joint agreement in the participation in the preaching of the gospel.)
Philippians 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of
love, if any fellowship(koinonia) of the Spirit
(Fellowship in the Spirit.)
Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate (koinonia) forget not: for with
such sacrifices God is well pleased.
(This shows a bond/union of sacrifice of which a benevolent attitude is one of Gods
desires.)
1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship (koinonia) with him, and walk in
darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the
light, we have fellowship (koinonia) one with another, and the blood of Jesus
Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
(Here we see that we cannot walk in darkness and also be in fellowship (bond/union)
with Christ. But if we walk in the light we will have that bond/union with Him and other
believers who are in fellowship with Him.)
Koinoneo (fellowship) involves a persons faith and relationship with God and the
person who is in fellowship with God, is in fellowship with all others who are truly in
fellowship with Him (I John 1:3). 1 Corinthians 1:9 refers to this as the fellowship
(koinonia) of His Son and 2 Corinthians 13:14 shows it as the communion
(koinonia) of the Holy Spirit. Those in Christ are said to be partakers (koinonos) of
the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4).
The picture of true fellowship (koinonia) we see in Gods Word is when we participate
together with other born again believers in what we are taught in Gods Word. We
are then partakers of the gospel of Christ and therefore engaged in fellowship in the
gospel.

Unfortunately we see the abuse of the term biblical fellowship to generally mean; any
activity of which people who call themselves believers, participate or partake of
together.
At any given time you will find professed Christian bodies claiming fellowship to mean
potluck suppers, coffee and pie socials, clean up day in the park, volleyball games,
fishing/hunting trips, shopping or cooking groups, sewing clubs or quilting parties, hiking
trips or picnics etc. From what is advertised all over online, on bulletin boards, sign
boards outside religious denominational buildings, fliers etcany social gathering of
any sort is considered biblical fellowship. Oftentimes they are advertising such
activities/recreation in order to invite the world to participate with them.
Koinonia must not unite with those who (I John 1:6) walk in darkness, or who
practice
(2 Corinthians 10:20) lawlessness. The Christian must not have (I Corinthians 10:20)
fellowship (koinonia) with demons nor (I Timothy 5:22) share (koinoneo) in other
peoples sins. We also see that someone who greets the one who transgresses the
doctrine of Christ shares (koinoneo) in his evil deeds (2 John 11).
Many religious organizations go so far as to deem fellowship as a group of professed
believers participating in carnal, sinful worldly activities such as football/ super bowl
parties, beach and waterpark gatherings, fashion shows, watching Hollywood movies
together, engaging in absurd and silly antics of tug-o-war games or face painting etc.
These such activities are certainly fellowship because those participating in them are all
joining (bonding and uniting) in the activities but it is NOT BIBLICAL fellowship.
Professed believers coming together for a volleyball game are fellowshipping in
entertainment of volleyball. Those coming together for fishing or hunting are
fellowshipping in recreation of fishing or hunting. The ladies in the sewing club are
fellowshipping in sewing and the coffee and pie group are fellowshipping in consuming
coffee and pie.
Many well-meaning born again believers will claim that as long as the conversation is
centered around Jesus Christ, the activity doesnt matter as long as it isnt sinful. Quite
often this is just an excuse for women to run off to some activity with other sisters or
men to partake in the activities they enjoy, therefore labelling it biblical fellowship
because they will make sure that while they are entertaining their flesh, they speak well
of the Lord.
Realistically we see that the activity is the center and focus of attention. How effective
is it to be hitting a volleyball and running after it while proclaiming Gods Word in a
soberminded way? Or reeling in a big fish while discussing the crucifixion? Pulling the
trigger at the trap shoot while discussing gentleness? Or discussing the traits of a godly
woman while out shopping for cutlery? Lets be honest, these are simply activities that

people want to do and although people can participate in some of these, it is not called
biblical fellowship.
(Gods Word informs us to redeem the time because the days are evil- Ephesians
5:16-so let us not get swept away in extra curricular activites when evangelizing,
preaching, learning and teaching the Word of God is of utmost importance!)
Biblical fellowship is for true born again believers who have been regenerated in Jesus
Christ, who are obediently following after Him in Word and deed, denying the desires of
the flesh and are walking in truth and spirit after their Savior. These believers are then
living their lives as a sacrifice (Romans 12:2) and coming together (fellowshipping) with
like-minded believers in participation of such things as the Lords Supper, prayer,
edification in Gods Word, exhorting one another to stand strong in Truth;
evangelizing, discipling, serving, aiding, teaching with benevolent actions etc.
These actions are those of biblical fellowship as defined in God's Word.
Defining biblical fellowship is very important as we see from scripture the actions that
accompany fellowship are ALL defined in Gods Word. Any activity not from the Word
of God is simply fellowship of that activity.
Why is this so important? Everything from the Word of God is important of course, but
that one inconsistent teaching can result in a lot of misled people. Quite often we see
the damaging results of this in the religious denominational organizations as people will
gather for biblical fellowship on Sunday and Wednesday (praying, teaching, hymns etc.)
with all actions, thoughts and words centered around God for a total of a couple hours a
week but those same people will walk away from or shun a brother/sister seeking to
come together with them for biblical fellowship outside those Sunday and Wednesday
meetings. Yet when it comes to an extracurricular activity that someone calls fellowship
(examples as listed above), they are the first to invite everyone they know. Why?
Because those fellowship gatherings tantalize the flesh and fulfill the lusts of their
desires, whereas continuous TRUE biblical fellowship with other believers as seen in
the New Testament writings where they met house to house, daily, breaking bread and
scouring over the scriptures.is not as enticing to the carnal flesh.
That shows a gross spiritual problem in such a person professing Christ.
True biblical fellowship is not centered on fleshly carnal activities but instead on spiritual
communion with our Father and His Son, uniting with like minded brothers and sisters
and encouraging spiritual growth in order to stand strong (1 Corinthians 16:13), fight the
good fight (1 Timothy 6:12) and endure until the end (Matthew 24:13)
We encourage you to seek biblical truth, understand what Gods Word says and be
obedient to it. James 1 says if we ask God for wisdom, He will give it.