My Reflection on the Greek Words Koinonia And Suqkoinonous in the Christian Life

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A recent study in Philippians got me into more of the Greek. These are the words koinonia (fellowship) and suqkoinonous (wrapped up together). How are these two words used? The words are used in Philippians 1:5 and Philippians 1:7.
For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. (KJV) 
because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace,[a] both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. (ESV) 
because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. (NIV)

So, recent translations would use partnership or fellowship. In the Church, there's fellowship and partnership. So, let's take a look at the word fellowship or partnership which uses koinonia. How does koinonia function? Here's what can be found during my study using Vernon McGee's commentary:
  1. Spiritual communication is sharing the things of Christ. This would be sharing the great truths concerning Christ.
  2. Sympathetic cooperation means working together for Christ. That is why when Paul used the word fellowship, he could be talking about Bible reading or Bible study together or prayer or celebrating the Lord's supper or taking up an offering.
  3. Sweet communion makes us partners with Christ. This is true koinonia.

Then we have the word suqkoinonous which is translated as partakers or those who share in God's grace. I do prefer how the KJV and ESV use partakers though it also means to share in God's grace. Suqkoinonous is defined by Thayer's as "participant with others in anything or joint partner". McGee defines it as "being wrapped up altogether". Paul is saying that he and the Philippians are wrapped up together in partnership as they share in God's grace. They would be partakers. 


At this point, I was thinking about the unity of the Church in the midst of the Coronavirus. Back in Spurgeon's day, other churches were suspended during the cholera outbreak in 1854. Spurgeon had the grace of God that his church still was able to have fellowship. They brought the Gospel to secluded communities. Today, there is a temporary use of online worship. However, the Coronavirus epidemic has proven one thing - the Chruch is not the building but the fellowship of believers. It had me thinking somebody had a problem in another church. One local Fundamental Baptist church went to help a Reformed Baptist church in its activities. Other believers are helping Christians in need through continual giving of donations to help other believers even if they didn't belong to the same fellowship. The Church today may be divided organizationally yet there is still spiritual unity. The Baptist Christian embraces the Protestant Christian as brethren in Christ. A KJV-Only Christian may still embrace a non-KJV Only Christian. There may be minor differences in beliefs yet they have one common soteriology that is salvation is by faith alone but this faith never becomes alone. 

The longing for the day to be gathered once more is still there. Right now, I end up doing digital church-hopping so I can listen to other Christian messages from other brethren around the world. I still think of how I want churches to return back. Yet, the time of division gives time for rest and for the church's power to show up. The koinonia and suqkoinonous haven't disappeared. Hebrews 10:25 is still followed as Christians are showing their assembly in spirit as they desire to be back together again and still help each other in every way possible. Paul had left one city after the other yet the unity is still there. Christians will eventually get the time that they will never have to part when God finally ends all things to bring in the eternal. 

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