Koinonia

The common life and fellowship of love shared by Christians with Christ and with each other in Christ. It is a Greek term for “communion” or “participation.” A rich theology of koinonia is found in the Pauline letters and elsewhere in the NT. This saving fellowship with Christ is made possible through the Holy Spirit (Phil 2:1; 2 Cor 13:13). Paul's collection for the relief of the church in Jerusalem was an expression of koinonia (Rom 15:26, 2 Cor 8-9). Koinonia with Christ was the basis of Paul's appeal for love and harmony in the chaotic Christian community at Corinth (1 Cor 1:9-10). The reality of this koinonia is expressed in the sacrament of the eucharist (1 Cor 10:16-17). We may share in the community and fellowship of Christ's sufferings and thereby share in the power and glory of Christ's resurrection (Phil 3:10-11). Koinonia is listed as one of the four features of Christian community in Acts, expressed concretely in the sharing of goods (2:42). In 1 Jn 1:3, fellowship with the original eyewitnesses in the Christian community is understood in terms of fellowship with the Father and with Christ.