Koinonia

Koinonia

Christian fellowship or communion, with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians.

Reading a book by Rick Joyner I came across a word I’d never heard. There are certainly many words I’ve never heard, and this is only one in probably millions. This word as it was written in the book jumped off the page and grabbed my attention. Perhaps it was the content of the chapter which the word was written. The word is Koinonia. It has been frequently popping into my head. Really it’s the meaning of the word that has been popping into my head. The word, Koinonia, is not found in our english vocabulary. It is a Greek word. Reading the book created in me a desire to know more about this word. So to Wikipedia I went. This is probably taking the easy way out to learn about such a word, but it was available. I invite comments to this blog if my interpretation taken from Wikipedia is too shallow. I feel it is a word worthy of higher intelligence than I have to offer. However, I’d like to share what is on my mind regarding this word. 

I’ve heard Old Testament Hebrew writing in the Bible is more romantic than the New Testament Greek. I must say, I agree. I have found a valuable tool in apps available on smartphones, tablets, and computers. It’s apps that have the Bible in audio form. I have two of these apps on my phone. Both apps contain various translations. What a way to enjoy God’s Word. Empowering, relaxing, convicting, peaceful, wisdom, directing, knowledge, strength, and of course ‘romantic’ are some words that come to mind when I think of my times listening to the Old Testament. 

My college degree was not as an english major. English subjects were only taken to meet the state minimum requirements of the state institution I attended. There are no classes about the Hebrew or Greek languages in my past. As a child the only Greek word I remember ever coming in contact with was on a t-shirt our youth group wore. It seemed a little strange as a youth to have a Greek word plastered across your chest. The word was ‘Theophilus’. As I’ve gotten older that word creates a warm fuzzy feeling in my heart every time I think of it. I’ve come to a greater appreciation for the language used. The word means ‘a friend of God, loved by God, or loving God’. My recollection, as to why the word was used, was because we wanted to be identified as ‘a friend of God’. Our youth group wore those shirts, and what a testimony it was. We were letting the world know about our friendship with God. 

Jesus calls us His friend, if we do as He commands.     John 15:12-15 (NIV) My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.         The command to ‘Love each other’ is known as the second greatest commandment. The first and greatest commandment is found in       Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Back to our word, ‘Koinonia’. There’s quiet a bit written about this word in Wikipedia, and other resources. I encourage you to research this word for yourself. Here are a few of the things I found in Wikipedia about ‘Koinonia’:

• In the New Testament, the basis of communion begins with a joining of Jesus with the community of the faithful. This union is also experienced in practical daily life. The same bonds that link the individual to Jesus also link him or her with other faithful. The New Testament letters describe those bonds as so vital and genuine that a deep level of intimacy can be experienced among the members of a local church.
• The first usage of Koinonia in the Greek New Testament is found in Acts 2:42-47, where a striking description of the common life shared by the early Christian believers in Jerusalem is given:   ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the communion, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
• The word has such a multitude of meanings that no single English word is adequate to express its depth and richness. It is a derivative of "koinos", the word for "common". Koinonia is a complex, rich, and thoroughly fascinating Greek approach to building community or teamwork. Koinonia embraced a strong commitment to “kalos k’agathos” meaning “good and good”, an inner goodness toward virtue, and an outer goodness toward social relationships. In the context of outer goodness, translated in English, the meaning of koinonia holds the idea of joint participation in something with someone, such as in a community, or team or an alliance or joint venture. Those who have studied the word find there is always an implication of action included in its meaning…
• Koinonia creates a brethren bond which builds trust and, especially when combined with the values of wisdom, virtue and honor, overcomes two of humanity’s deepest fears and insecurities: being betrayed and being demeaned.

(Parts of the text are in bold for emphasis)

Koinonia
Christian fellowship or communion, with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians.

So this word found in the New Testament, seems to have depth of meaning we could all benefit from, even those of us who had just enough english classes to meet state minimum requirements. What do we find in this word? A word that means ‘communion’ in the NIV translation, but has a much deeper and richer meaning? 

- ‘a bond so vital and genuine that a deep level of intimacy can be experienced’.

- ‘a complex, rich, and thoroughly fascinating Greek approach to building community or teamwork. It has a strong commitment to an inner goodness toward virtue, and an outer goodness toward social relationship’.

- ‘a brethren bond which builds trust and, especially when combined with the values of wisdom, virtue and honor, overcomes two of humanity’s deepest fears and insecurities: being betrayed and being demeaned’.

Bring on some Koinonia!! This ole world needs some Koinonia!! Do you feel generic and disconnected? Do you feel bland and no place to fit in? Do you feel a lack of honesty and respect? Do you feel alone? Do you feel a lack of commitment? Do you feel a lack of trust, from being betrayed and demeaned? We all could use a big dose of Koinonia. I need some fellowship. I need some communion. I need my fellow Christians. 

‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the communion, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:42-47 NIV)

One

Two came from the East, two came from the South, three came from the West, and two were occupants. A hundred years ago a bell would have sounded, echoing far and wide calling them in. As it is today, a cell phone replaces the purpose of ringing the bell. A designated time is a standard standing order at each of the gatherings. While the occupants busied themselves preparing for the spread, others gradually flowed into the home. The chatter of voices became louder and louder as more arrived. Clatter of pots, bowls, and dishes provided evidence the festivities were about to begin. The table was set. The attendants were as anxious as horses at a feeding trough. There was One more still on their way.

Waiting on the One wasn't an option for the bellies rumbling in the room. Not wanting to further delay, the announcement was made, 'Come and eat'. With feet scuffling across the floor, places were taken. We were missing the pitter patter of one set of feet. They belonged to a wee bit of child only three years old. Leaving the John Deere tractors, and other equipment, was just too much to ask of the child. The others gathered at the table bowed their heads to give thanks to the Lord for the food. 

After a heart to heart talk with the mother, the child climbed onto a stool that served as a perch for him to reach the plate. After mother and child were comfortable, someone at the table made the mistake of mentioning the prayer had already been said. The child's face broke, lips turned down, and tears began to flow. It had become tradition for the child to say the blessing with the assistance of an adult. He'd missed saying the prayer. What do you do when a three year olds lips turn down, and tears flow, because of missing the opportunity to pray? That's right, all the bowls and spoons already in hands were sat down. Heads were bowed again, and a second prayer of thanksgiving was attempted. I say attempted because all we heard was 'I say prayer, I say prayer'. When the child was given the prompt to thank God for the food or thank God for the people sitting around the table, there was only silence. On this night it was ok, for his heart had been broken. Sometimes it's just difficult to be thankful. Another prompting for the child, and a very loud 'AMEN' was said. Bowls and spoons were picked up. The passing and dipping continued. Considering all the activity, the One still coming had better hurry.

A cell phone was used to call the remaining One. The sound of a dinner bell could not have ever reached the One. He had been about 70 miles away. Thank goodness for modern conveniences to call the One. Even with a pick up truck, the One said it would still be about 30 minutes before their arrival. If it were by wagon they were traveling, it certainly would have taken half a day. 

After filling their rumbling bellies, conversation floated around the table. Dessert made those who partake appear they were under sedation. Pecan pie seems to have that affect at times. The gathering flowed from the dining table into the living room, for a more comfortable seat. Dirty dishes were carried away.  Remaining food was set on the stove, to keep warm for the One still coming. As people started making plans to leave, the One arrived. A plate was filled. Sweet tea was poured. The One sat at the table and filled his belly.