“Fellowship” - As The Word Is Used In The New Testament

by Micky Galloway

Brethren, where have we missed it? I continue to receive announcements of social/recreational activities advertised as “fellowship.” Please consider some of the following examples. In July of 2003 a church in northern California advertised their “Third Annual Youth Gospel Meeting” with “Fellowship Activities” including such things as “BB-Q, Games/Videos, Sports, Pizza & Pipes, Laser tag, & Bowling.” In March, 2005 a church in Central California advertised their “Youth Forum” with “Activities.” In both of these the “Fellowship Activities” and “Activities” necessitated a registration form be filled out with emergency medical information along with a $10.00 registration fee made payable to ________. More recently I received an advertisement to attend a “Women’s Retreat.” There is a scheduled time for a “Get together & Fellowship.” Of course, the necessary registration form and $50.00 deposit made payable to _______. In two of these, the advertising was sent out by the church with a disclaimer that the “Fellowship Activities” were provided by individuals, while in the other instance the advertisements were published by “a group of Christian women,” all members of a particular local church. Brethren, I fear that we are so conditioned to the denominational / liberal practices of others, that we are blurring the line of distinction of scriptural terms and practices.

To be fair and clear, no one is opposed to Bible classes arranged for the purpose of teaching the truth to young people or special classes designed to teach men or women. That is not the issue. These type classes are clearly needed. The apostle Paul instructed Titus, “But speak thou the things which befit the sound doctrine: that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience: that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,(to be) sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed: the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded” (Titus 2:1-6).

However, we need to be clear in our use of Bible terms to avoid the “language of Ashdod” and be sure our practices are scriptural. I fear that we have lost sight of the Bible meaning of the word “fellowship” and have been led to be comfortable with the denominational use of the term, i.e. “get together and have a good time.” How is the word “fellowship” used in the Bible?

Twelve different times in the King James Version, the word “fellowship” is taken from the Greek “koinonia,” which according to Thayer's Lexicon, means:

“1. The share which one has in anything, participation … ‘fellowship of the Spirit’ (Philippians 2:1). ‘The fellowship of his sufferings’ (Philippians 3:10). ‘The fellowship of ministering to the saints’ (II Corinthians 8:4). ‘To make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery...’ (Ephesians 3:9). ‘Ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord’ (I Corinthians 1:9).

“2. Intercourse, fellowship, intimacy … ‘they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship …’ (Galatians 2:9). ‘For what fellowship hath light with darkness?’ (II Corinthians 6:14.) ‘They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, …’ (Acts 2:42). ‘For your fellowship in the gospel from the very first …’ (Philippians 1:5). ‘That ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ’ (I John 1:3). ‘if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another …’ (I John 1:7). See also I John 1:1-6.

“3. A benefaction jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution … See II Corinthians 8:4 as referred to under No. 1 above. II Corinthians 9:13 renders the word ‘liberal distribution,’ for the benefit of one. Hebrews 13:16 uses the term ‘communicate.’”

The word “koinonia” is actually used some twenty times in the New Testament, but is translated “fellowship” only twelve times (Acts 2:42; I Corinthians 1:9; II Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 2:9; Ephesians 3:9; Philippians 1:5; 2:1; 3:10; I John 1:3 twice; I John 1:6; I John 1:7). In the other instances, it is translated “communion,” four times (I Corinthians 10:16 twice; II Corinthians 6:14; II Corinthians 13:14) ; “communication,” once (Philemon 6); “contribution,” once (Romans 15:26); “distribution,” once (II Corinthians 9:13); and is rendered “to communicate,” once (Hebrews 13:16).

Thus “fellowship,” “koinonia” (Greek), refers to our spiritual relationship with God, with Christ, with the Holy Spirit, with one another. In each instance it is used in reference to the work and worship of the Lord. This is a fellowship into which we are called. “God is faithful, through whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Corinthians 1:9 ASV). It is established and maintained on the basis of one continuing in the declared message. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” … “If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (I John 1:3, 6-7 ASV). Never does the word refer to a gathering for social, entertainment or recreational purposes.