Fellowship
κοινωνία (Koinōnia)
Intimate sharing, partnership, and communion among believers and with God.
The Greek word koinōnia means fellowship, partnership, and sharing — describing the deep spiritual communion believers enjoy with God and with one another.
"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." — 1 John 1:3 (KJV)
Key Verses
1 John 1:3
“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.”Read in context
Acts 2:42
“And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”Read in context
Philippians 2:1
“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's G2842 — Fellowship (κοινωνία (Koinōnia))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where κοινωνία (Koinōnia) appears.
Open Strong's G2842The Meaning of Koinōnia
Koinōnia comes from the root koinos, meaning 'common' or 'shared.' It describes a deep partnership and mutual participation — far more than casual social interaction. In the New Testament, koinōnia encompasses sharing in the gospel, sharing material resources, partaking of communion, and the intimate bond between believers created by the Holy Spirit.
Fellowship in the Early Church
Acts 2:42 lists koinōnia as one of the four pillars of the early church, alongside apostolic teaching, breaking of bread, and prayer. The first Christians held all things in common, cared for one another's needs, and experienced a radical unity that astonished the watching world. Their fellowship was not a program but a way of life.
Fellowship with God
The ultimate expression of koinōnia is communion with God Himself. John writes that believers have fellowship 'with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.' This vertical fellowship is the foundation for all horizontal fellowship. When believers share life with God, they are drawn into authentic community with one another.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does koinōnia mean?
Koinōnia means fellowship, partnership, sharing, and communion. It describes the deep spiritual bond believers share with God and with one another through the Holy Spirit.
How is biblical fellowship different from socializing?
Biblical koinōnia involves spiritual sharing, mutual accountability, bearing one another's burdens, and participating together in the gospel. It goes far beyond casual social interaction to include deep spiritual communion.
What is the Greek word for "Fellowship" in the Bible?
κοινωνία (Koinōnia), pronounced "koy-noh-NEE-ah." It means intimate sharing, partnership, and communion among believers and with god. Its Strong's number is G2842. It is the word behind "Fellowship" in the New Testament, for example in 1 John 1:3.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Fellowship"?
1 John 1:3 — "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" (KJV). It also appears in Acts 2:42, Philippians 2:1.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Fellowship (κοινωνία (Koinōnia))
Intimate sharing, partnership, and communion among believers and with God.
Strong's G2842 — Fellowship
κοινωνία (Koinōnia) • Intimate sharing, partnership, and communion among believers and with God.
What Does the Bible Say About Christian Fellowship?
Daily Living
What Does the Bible Say About Christian Fellowship?
Daily Living
Hebrews 10:25 Commentary
In-depth study • Christian Community
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 Commentary
In-depth study • Community and Fellowship
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