10/05/2026
This is so important! Dig in for a moment.
What does Koinonia mean?
Pronounced: “Coin-a-noya”
Koinonia is a Greek word that occurs 20 times in the Bible.
Koinonia’s primary meaning is “fellowship, sharing in common, communion.”
The first occurrence of koinonia is Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Christian fellowship is a key aspect of the Christian life. Believers in Christ are to come together in love, faith, and encouragement. That is the essence of koinonia.
Philippians 2:1-2 declares, “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”
Koinonia is being in agreement with one another, being united in purpose, and serving alongside each other.
Our koinonia with each other is based on our common koinonia with Jesus Christ.
A powerful example of what koinonia should look like can be found in a study of the phrase “one another” in the Bible.
Scripture commands us to be devoted to “one another” (Romans 12:10),
• honor one another (Romans 12:10),
• live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16; 1 Peter 3:8),
• accept one another (Romans 15:7),
• serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13),
• be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32),
• admonish one another (Colossians 3:16),
• encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13),
• spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24),
• offer hospitality (1 Peter 4:9),
• and love one another (1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11; 3:23; 4:7; 4:11-12).
That is what true biblical koinonia should look like.
There is no space for believers to be cynical, bothered, disgruntled, or attacking each other. It simply doesn’t line up with biblical living, Christ’s mandates, or nature.
Stay in fellowship with one another! ♥️
… AND come to WHAT IS CHURCH? on Wednesday nights at 6:30pm (at LWC) and dig into the Word with us. We all get to learn together!
