"God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."
1 Corinthians 1:9
In Christian circles, the word "fellowship" is tossed about freely, but with little specificity. Someone who is unaware of church "culture" might think that when the word, "fellowship," is used it means that there is sure to be food. But, surely, the verse above from 1 Corinthians means something more than just having a meal. So, what does this word mean? Well, in fact, there are three related words used for fellowship, all sharing the same root. One is the Greek verb, "koinoneo," which means to "share." Then there is the noun, "koinonia," which is translated as "fellowship." Then there is the noun, "koinonos," which is translated as "partner(s)" or "sharer(s)."
If you think that "fellowship" is just having a potluck dinner, you might be surprised by some of the uses of this word, particularly the verb, "koinoneo." For example, in Rom. 12:13, it says, "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." In this context, sharing one's potluck meal with someone who is hungry and has nothing, indeed, fits this definition. But, it is more than that. This concept of "fellowship," or "sharing," extends to a broader practice of giving to meet the needs of others in particular difficulty, especially fellow believers. It extends to the sharing of one's household and resources in hospitality. The early church depended on the willingness of wealthy believers, like Lydia, the seller of purple in Thyatira, who opened her heart to Jesus in Acts 16:14, and opened her house to believers in Acts 16:40.
There are other places where "sharing," or "koinoneo," refers to the sharing of monetary support, such as in Romans 15:27. "They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings." At that time, there was a terrible drought in Israel, and persecution was severe. So, believers from other regions sent money to support the church in Jerusalem with what they had. Paul, himself, was involved in raising funds and sending couriers to the "mother" church, of mostly Hebrew believers, back from the "gentile" churches around Asia Minor.
As a teacher, I like this verse from Galatians 6:6. "Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor." (But, you don't have to send your cards and letters ...I have a good job). In this sense, if someone devotes full-time efforts to studying, preparing, and teaching, in order to build up those receiving instruction, the recipients of the instruction should also share freely from the fruits of their labors also so the teacher can continue their work. We see this principle put into practice by the church at Philippi, as they supported the Apostle Paul's work. "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 with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;" Isn't it amazing that only one church, of all the churches that Paul started, felt it necessary to provide support for Paul?
There are some other remarkable types of "sharing," or "koinoneo," and they are not pleasant at all. For example, 1 Timothy 5:22 says, "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." This is one form of "fellowship" in which you do not want to partake. The situation in this verse involves a church that "lays on hands" hastily. The laying on of hands implies the bestowal of authority, as in a commission, to take on a leadership role in ministry. Those leaders who appoint a novice to a role of leadership will "share" in the consequences of the foolish or immature acts of their appointee, so this is the reason for the warning.
Negative consequences that are shared by an entire fellowship because of foolish or hasty decisions is further illustrated in a somewhat obscure verse in 2 John. "7 I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch out that you do not lose what we[a] have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work." Even early in church history, there were false teachers who sprang up like weeds. As discussed above, most churches met in the homes of believers. In this passage, it warns believers not to "take them into your house or welcome them," otherwise they will "share in their wicked work." I do not believe this is saying that Christians should never have non-Christians in their homes, which would certainly be an extreme mistranslation, particularly in light of the context of 2 John, where John says, " It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." It would be pretty hard to "walk in love," if someone acted hatefully toward non-believers. Far more likely, this passage refers to not welcoming false teachers into their house churches if they are going to continue teaching false doctrine. Otherwise, like the passage in 1 Timothy implies, those who "welcomed them," or extended the right hand of fellowship, will also "share" in the consequences of their false teaching.
Another form of "fellowship" that has nothing to do with eating a potluck dinner is "sharing" in the sufferings of Christ. In 2 Peter 4 it says, 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? (2 Pet. 4:12-17 NIV). Becoming a Christian certainly does not relieve someone of the burden of adversity. It saddens me when I hear or read some so-called teachers and preachers promote a "gospel" of prosperity and blessing. They teach that if you are right with God and are doing everything you should be doing, then God wants to "bless" you with prosperity. Oh, dear souls, if that were true, then he would have "blessed" the widow who gave "two mites" with riches beyond compare. But, that was not the case. If that were true, then the great saints who walked with Jesus would have been loaded up with gold by the time they left this Earth. But, that was far from the case. Could anyone claim that Peter, James, and Paul were not right with God and pillars of the faith? Yet, we know that Peter was crucified upside down, and James and John were both slain for their faith. Jesus, Himself, was not rich, by the standards of this world. He suffered and died on the cross. Are the servants greater than their Master? If He was hated, His followers may also be hated. If He suffered, his followers may also suffer. Some may even die for their faith. Even today, I know followers of Jesus, who live in Pakistan, who are poor, and cannot find good jobs because the country is dominated by Islam. They have been beaten for their faith, and some have died. But, they may not "enjoy" being persecuted, but they should rejoice in knowing that they are participating, or "fellowshipping," in the sufferings of Christ. For, if they are persecuted, it is because of Christ in them, the hope of Glory, and when Christ returns and is revealed to the world, their righteous suffering will become crowns of glory to them, and they will have special places of honor in His kingdom.
Tomorrow we will discuss the word, "koinonia," which is the noun for "fellowship." We "share" in far more ways, as believers, than just getting together once a week for "church." I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow.
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