List of Scriptures on Fellowship

Fellowship is one the English words used to translate the noun koinōnia [Greek]. It is also sometimes used as a translation for the verb koinōneo. I have included a definition of these two words at the end of the document. In short, the meaning is: community, communication, sharing of goods, sharing of activity, partnership, and participation. All these are possible words we could use to translate into English depending on the context.Try reading the context and see if you agree.

If we gather all the verses where each of these words are found we get the following list [I have used the ESV version]. I have tried to group them in a way that makes sense to me. See if you agree.

Fellowship as hospitality, prayer, time spent together, sharing in suffering (positive)

Acts 2:42  And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship [G2842 koinōnia], to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Hebrews 2:14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook [G2841 koinōneō] of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 

Hebrews 13:16  Do not neglect to do good and to share [G2842 koinōnia] what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. [added phrase in not in the original] 

1Peter 4:13  But rejoice insofar as you share [G2841 koinōneō] Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 

Fellowship as sharing in the life experience of another person (negative)

2 Corinthians 6:14  Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership [G2842 koinōnia] has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 

1Timothy 5:22  Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part [G2841 koinōneō] in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 

2John 1:11  for whoever greets him takes part [G2841 koinōneō] in his wicked works. 

Fellowship as act of sharing material goods with one another

Romans 15:26  For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution [G2842 koinōnia] for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 8:4  begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part [G2842 koinōnia] in the relief of the saints— 

2 Corinthians 9:13  By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution [G2842 koinōnia] for them and for all others, 

1Timothy 6:18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share [G2843 koinōnikos], 

Romans 12:13  Contribute [G2841 koinōneō] to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 

Romans 15:27  For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share [G2841 koinōneō] in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

Galatians 6:6 Let the one who is taught the word share [G2841 koinōneō] all good things with the one who teaches. 

Philippians 4:15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership [G2841 koinōneō] with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

Our Fellowship with one another is fellowship with the Father and Son

1 Corinthians 1:9  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship [G2842 koinōnia] of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 1:3  that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship [G2842 koinōnia] with us; and indeed our fellowship [G2842 koinōnia] is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 

1 John 1:6  If we say we have fellowship [G2842 koinōnia] with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship [G2842 koinōnia] with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 

Fellowship as common practice and belief

1 Corinthians 10:16  The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation [G2842 koinōnia] in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship [G2842 koinōnia] of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 

Galatians 2:9  and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship [G2842 koinōnia] to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 

Ephesians 3:9  and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan [G2842 koinōnia] of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, [clumsy translation in my opinion]

Philippians 1:5  because of your partnership [G2842 koinōnia] in the gospel from the first day until now. 

Philippians 2:1  So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation [G2842 koinōnia] in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

Philippians 3:10  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share [G2842 koinōnia] his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 

Philemon 1:6  and I pray that the sharing [G2842 koinōnia] of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. 

The definition of these words from Thayers Bible Dictionary is:

Thayer Definition: Noun

1) fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse [note: that’s an old fashioned way of saying communication]

1a) the share which one has in anything, participation

1b) intercourse [again, that’s an old fashioned way of saying communication], fellowship, intimacy

1b1) the right hand as a sign and pledge of fellowship (in fulfilling the apostolic office)

1c) a gift jointly contributed, a collection, a contribution, as exhibiting an embodiment and proof of fellowship

Thayer Definition: Verb koinōneō

1) to come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer, be made a partner

2) to enter into fellowship, join one’s self to an associate, make one’s self a sharer or partner