Communication is Tough!

“I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

Our English word, “fellowship” is the translation of the Greek word, “koinonia.”

–from the root, “koinos,” a prefix in ancient Greek.

–“fellowship,” means “to hold something in common.”

Four synonyms of koinonia

– philos, which means “related by love for outward characteristics;

– hetairos, meaning a sharer in a common enterprise

– sunergos, meaning a fellow-worker; and

– metochos, a participant

Each of these words denotes a unity which is expressed outwardly.

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV)

and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.

Philemon 1:6 (ESV)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV)

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

Philippians 2:1 (ESV)

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:44-47 (ESV)

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, …

Ephesians 3:8-11 (ESV)

We participate together seven days a week to glorify God, to do it His way, and to do it together.