A Simple "Fellowship" Word Study
Prepared for A Zoom Class On Fellowship 5/30/2024
The following was submitted to participants in a class via Zoom on the subject matter of fellowship. To hear the class and the discussion on this subject, click on the following link: Fellowship Discussion - Zoom Study
For a general idea of what we are talking about when we look at “fellowship” in the New Testament.
Words Translated “Fellowship” In The New Testament (KJV)
κοινωνία (Strong’s # 2842) - Defined: “1) fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse; 1a) the share which one has in anything, participation; 1b) intercourse, 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’s Greek-English Lexicon).
Translated “fellowship” in: Acts 2:42, I Corinthians 1:9, II Corinthians 8:4, Galatians 2:9, Ephesians 3:9, Philippians 1:5, Philippians 2:1, Philippians 3:10, I John 1:3, and I John 1:6-7
Also translated: “contribution” (Romans 15:26), “communion” (I Corinthians 10:16, II Corinthians 6:14, II Corinthians 13:14), “distribution” (II Corinthians 9:13), “communication” (Philemon 1:6), and “communicate” (Hebrews 13:16).
κοινωνός (Strong’s #2844) - Defined: “1) a partner, associate, comrade, companion; 2) a partner, sharer, in anything; 2a) of the altar in Jerusalem on which the sacrifices are offered; 2a1) sharing in the worship of the Jews; 2b) partakers of (or with) demons; 2b1) brought into fellowship with them, because they are the authors of heathen worship” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon).
Translated “fellowship” in: I Corinthians 10:20
Also translated: “partakers” (Matthew 23:30, I Corinthians 10:18, II Corinthians 1:7, II Peter 1:4), “partaker” (I Peter 5:1), “partners” (Luke 5:10), “partner” (II Corinthians 8:23 and Philemon 1:17), and “companions” (Hebrews 10:33).
μετοχή (Strong’s # 3352) - Defined: “1) a sharing, communion, fellowship” (Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon).
Translated “fellowship” in: II Corinthians 6:14
συγκοινωνέω (Strong’s # 4790) - Ephesians 5:11
Also translated: “communicate” (Philippians 4:14) and “partakers” (Revelation 18:4).
A Few Synonyms Regarding “Fellowship”:
κοινωνέω - “Distributing” (Romans 12:13), “partakers” (Romans 15:27), “communicate” (Galatians 6:6), “partaker” (I Timothy 5:22 and II John 1:11), and “partakers” (Hebrews 2:14 and I Peter 4:13). See Strong’s # 2841
συγκοινωνός - “partakest” (Romans 11:17), “partaker” (I Corinthians 9:23), “partakers” (Philippians 1:7), and “companion” (Revelation 1:9). See Strong’s # 4791
μετέχω - “partaker” (I Corinthians 9:10), “partakers” (I Corinthians 9:12, I Corinthians 10:17, I Corinthians 10:21, I Corinthians 10:30), “took part” (Hebrews 2:14), “Useth” (Hebrews 5:13), and “pertaineth” (Hebrews 7:13). See Strong’s # 3348