I John 1:6 What does “fellowship” mean?
"Fellowship" translates the Greek word koinonia, meaning association, communion, and close relationship. It implies participation in a mutual task and sharing possessions. In Christ, believers are able to enjoy this kind of intimacy with God and with fellow Christians.
Fellowship goes beyond friendship. Believers worldwide enjoy fellowship, though one's range of friendship is much smaller. Because of the bonds of fellowship, Christians who will never meet still feel the joy of participating in joint projects (missionary schools, for example) and often experience quick understanding when they do meet, despite language and cultural differences.
The idea of Christian fellowship makes rivalry interfaith warfare, and tribal suspicions nonsensical. Our bond in Christ overcomes social differences. Just as heaven will blend all God's creation, so fellowship blends and bonds people of different backgrounds into one church, one fellowship, one faith.
"Fellowship" translates the Greek word koinonia, meaning association, communion, and close relationship. It implies participation in a mutual task and sharing possessions. In Christ, believers are able to enjoy this kind of intimacy with God and with fellow Christians.
Fellowship goes beyond friendship. Believers worldwide enjoy fellowship, though one's range of friendship is much smaller. Because of the bonds of fellowship, Christians who will never meet still feel the joy of participating in joint projects (missionary schools, for example) and often experience quick understanding when they do meet, despite language and cultural differences.
The idea of Christian fellowship makes rivalry interfaith warfare, and tribal suspicions nonsensical. Our bond in Christ overcomes social differences. Just as heaven will blend all God's creation, so fellowship blends and bonds people of different backgrounds into one church, one fellowship, one faith.
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Thanks for this. it really helped me to understand what fellowship means. Much appreciated. Praise God.
ReplyDeleteFellowship is an important part of the Christian walk, for 'iron sharpens iron'; one truly draws strength from communion with God and other believers!
ReplyDelete--Joe Breunig
Author/poet, Reaching Towards His Unbounded Glory