G2842 – κοινωνία - koinōnia - Thayer Definition:

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

2Co 1:21

(21) But it is God Who confirms and makes us steadfast and establishes us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and has consecrated and anointed us [enduing us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit];

2Co 6:14

(14) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?

2Co 8:4

(4) Begging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for [the relief and support of] the saints [in Jerusalem].

Eph 2:22

(22) In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.

Eph 5:11

(11) Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.

Heb 13:16

(16) Do not forget or neglect to do kindness and good, to be generous and distribute and contribute to the needy [of the church as embodiment and proof of fellowship], for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

1Jo 1:3

(3) What we have seen and [ourselves] heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And [this] fellowship that we have [which is a distinguishing mark of Christians] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

1Jo 1:6-7

(6) [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents].

(7) But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

The Spiritual Meaning of Koinonia

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 the word "koinos," the word for common.

G2839 – κοινός – koinos - Thayer Definition:

1) Common

2) Common, i.e. ordinary, belonging to generality

Koinonia, is a complex, rich, and thoroughly fascinating Greek approach to building community or teamwork.

Koinonia embraced a strong commitment to an inner goodness toward virtue, and an outer goodness toward social relationships. In the context of outer goodness, translated into 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. The definition of the word is quite rich in that there are many connotations because the word used in a variety of related contexts:

• Generous Sharing: Koinonos means 'a sharer' as in to share with one another in a possession held in common. It implies the spirit of generous sharing or the act of giving as contrasted with selfish getting. When koinonia is present, the spirit of sharing and giving becomes tangible. In most contexts, generosity is not an abstract ideal, but a demonstrable action resulting in a tangible and realistic expression of giving. In classical Greek, koinonein means "to have a share in a thing," as when two or more people hold all things in common. It can mean "going shares" with others, thereby having "business dealings,” such as joint ownership of a ship. It can also imply "sharing an opinion" with someone, and therefore agreeing with him, or disagreeing in a congenial way. Participation is vital because vital as the members are sharing in what others have. What is shared, received or given becomes the common ground through which Koinonia becomes real.

• Partnership: “Koinonos” in classical Greek means a companion, a partner or a joint-owner. Therefore, koinonia can imply an association, common effort, or a partnership in common." The common ground by which the two parties are joined together creates an aligned relationship, such as a 'fellowship' or 'partnership.’ In a papyrus announcement a man speaks of his brother "with whom I have no koinonia", meaning no business connection or common interest. In the New Testament, (Luke 5:10) James, John, and Simon are called “partners” (koinonia ). The joint participation was a shared fishing business.

Luk 5:10

(10) And so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon (Peter). And Jesus said to Simon, Have no fear; from now on you will be catching men!

• Marriage: Two people may enter into marriage in order to have "koinonia of life", that is to say, to live together a life in which everything is shared. Koinonia was used to refer to the marriage bond, and it suggested a powerful common interest that could hold two or more persons together.

• Spiritual Relationship: In this sense, the meaning something that is held and shared jointly with others for God, speaking to man's "relationship with God". In this context, koinonia highlights a higher purpose or mission that benefits the greater good of the members as a whole. The term "enthusiasm" is connected to this meaning of koinonia for it signifies “to be imbued with the Spirit of God in Us."

• Fellowship: To create a bond between comrades is the meaning of koinonia when people are recognized, share their joy and pains together, and are united because of their common experiences, interests and goals. Fellowship creates a mutual bond which overrides each individual’s pride, vanity, and individualism, fulfilling the human yearning with fraternity, belonging, and companionship. This meaning of koinonia accounts for the ease by which sharing and generosity flow. When combined with the spiritual implications of koinonia, fellowship provides a joint participation in God’s graces and denotes that common possession of spiritual values.

Thus early Christians had a fellowship God, sharing the common experience of joys, fears, tears, and divine glory. In this manner, those who shared believed their true wealth lay not in what they had, but in what they gave to others. Fellowship is never passive in the meaning of koinonia, it is always linked to action, not just being together, but also doing together.

With fellowship comes a close and intimate relationship embracing ideas, communication, and frankness, as in a true, blessed interdependent friendship among multiple group members.

• Community: The idea of community denotes a “common unity” of purpose and interests. By engaging in this united relationship a new level of consciousness and conscience emerges that spurs the group to higher order thinking and action, thus empowering and encouraging its members to exist in a mutually beneficial relationship. Thus community and family become closely intertwined, because aiming at a common unity strives to overcome brokenness, divisiveness, and, ultimately gaining wholeness with each of the members, with their environment, and with their God. By giving mutual support, friendship and family merge. Both fellowship and community imply an inner and outer unity.

Koinonia creates a brethren bond which builds trust. This is the village life that we talk about.

INACCURATE FELLOWSHIP:

All of us have relationships that we tolerate. There are individuals who unwittingly place heavy burdens on our resources. They suck up our energy and time with unusual eagerness and enthusiasm. We permit them in our circle under a mistaken concept of love and compassion towards them. These individuals drain the anointing of pastors, leaders and other sons in the Household of Faith. There is no return for investment of time and energy.

We need to deal with this false compassion towards these individuals as they are unwittingly instruments in the hands of the enemy that is utilized to steal our time, resources and strength. They will sap the life of God from you and are nothing but parasites.

Jesus presents to us a clear picture of His expectations. He places a definite demand on a measurable return for His investment.

Mat 25:20-28

(20) And he who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, Master, you entrusted to me five talents; see, here I have gained five talents more.

(21) His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.

(22) And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you entrusted two talents to me; here I have gained two talents more.

(23) His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.

(24) He who had received one talent also came forward, saying, Master, I knew you to be a harsh and hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you had not winnowed [the grain].

(25) So I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is your own.

(26) But his master answered him, "You wicked and lazy and idle servant!" Did you indeed know that I reap where I have not sowed and gather [grain] where I have not winnowed?

(27) Then you should have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what was my own with interest.

(28) So take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.

The master here liquidated the servant and gave it to someone else who had proven himself worthy. If Jesus himself applied this principle should we not do the same. This places a demand upon us to come to a place where the relationships we build with one another bears fruit. This is where we truly add value to the lives of one another.

Luk 13:6-9

(6) And He told them this parable: a certain man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find [any].

(7) So he said to the vinedresser, See here! For these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue also to use up the ground [to deplete the soil, intercept the sun, and take up room]?

(8) But he replied to him, Leave it alone, sir, [just] this one more year, till I dig around it and put manure [on the soil].

(9) Then perhaps it will bear fruit after this; but if not, you can cut it down and out.

There is no doubt that Jesus is placing a demand on us bearing fruit and not wasting the resources that He is distributing to us. If there is no fruit remove it from the vineyard.

Phi 4:17

(17) Not that I seek or am eager for [your] gift, but I do seek and am eager for the fruit which increases to your credit [the harvest of blessing that is accumulating to your account].

Paul wanted to see his investment bear fruit for the kingdom of God. As a spiritual father I only seek the same. I desire to see that the investment of my time and energy bear fruit in your life. I need to see the fruit in your life as a son manifested. You have to understand that the time for kindergarten is over. Not one of you have any reason not to bear fruit.

Renette and I have been looking at the people that keep on coming back to us when they are in trouble or need assistance. They place a demand financially, physically and spiritually upon us and then go back after the crises never to be seen and heard of unless another crisis looms.

These long-standing unproductive “relationships” are nothing but “bottomless pits”. Irrespective of how much you put into such a relationship, no value will be received for the kingdom of God.

LETS US NOW LOOK AT SOME EXAMPLES:

1. THE DOUBLE-MINDED ONES

Jam 1:6-8

(6) Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.

(7) For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,

(8) [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].

When a double-minded person opens his eyes in the morning he is in doubt

whether he should get up immediately or wait a further 15 minutes. He is in

doubt whether he should go to work or to the golf-course. He doubts whether he should pay his bills, or go to church etc. He is unstable in ALL his ways. He is the most inconsistent person in your circle. He might change church every few months, but still visits you, and claim that you are his pastor. Such an individual is inconsistent in time and attendance. You may continue to service him or her under the false belief that the person will change. You might end up being duped for another 15 years. WAKE UP! By that time it is too late – this individual may marry one of your sons or daughters.

This person is mentally ill – he has BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER –

Diagnosis

A person with a borderline personality disorder often experiences a repetitive pattern of disorganization and instability in self-image, mood, behavior and close personal relationships. This can cause significant distress or impairment in friendships and work. A person with this disorder can often be bright and intelligent, and appear warm, friendly and competent. They sometimes can maintain this appearance for a number of years until their defense structure crumbles, usually around a stressful situation like the breakup of a romantic relationship or the death of a parent.

Symptoms

Relationships with others are intense but stormy and unstable with marked shifts of feelings and difficulties in maintaining intimate, close connections. The person may manipulate others and often has difficulty with trusting others. There is also emotional instability with marked and frequent shifts to an empty lonely depression or to irritability and anxiety.

There may be unpredictable and impulsive behavior which might include excessive spending, promiscuity, gambling, drug or alcohol abuse, shoplifting, overeating or physically self-damaging actions such as suicide gestures. The person may show inappropriate and intense anger or rage with temper tantrums, constant brooding and resentment, feelings of deprivation, and a loss of control or fear of loss of control over angry feelings.

There are also identity disturbances with confusion and uncertainty about self-identity, sexuality, life goals and values, career choices, friendships.

There is a deep-seated feeling that one is flawed, defective, damaged or bad in some way, with a tendency to go to extremes in thinking, feeling or behavior. Under extreme stress or in severe cases there can be brief psychotic episodes with loss of contact with reality or bizarre behavior or symptoms. Even in less severe instances, there is often significant disruption of relationships and work performance. The depression which accompanies this disorder can cause much suffering and can lead to serious suicide attempts.

As you can gather this person is in desperate need of spiritual counseling, and psychiatric help. This person will continually drain virtue from you, unless you confront the condition and ruthlessly engage the individual to a place of change. This person will either embrace the chance or choose to be deeply offended. Do not allow this relationship to stay a bottomless pit. Confrontation is the only way.

1. THE RETARDED

1Co 2:14

(14) But the natural, non spiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

This person is most probably unregenerated. He does not have the Spirit of God. He probably came into the Christian community after evolution was intellectually refuted. He has a mental understanding that he needs to be saved and might even have prayed a sinner’s prayer. He is however not born again. He has no spiritual discernment. It is if there is a total inability to understand spiritual things and experiences. This is typical the person who will meet you, after a glorious interaction with Christ in a corporate gathering, and demand an explanation for what has transpired. He has great difficulty with “proceeding truth” because of an absence of spiritual perception. Because of the person’s constant demand for explanation the unwitting pastor would tailor his messages to please this individual in trying to accommodate this person under the banner of brotherly love.

You can not have fellowship with such a person as there can be no agreement or union taking place.

Amo 3:3

(3) Do two walk together except they make an appointment and have agreed?

2Co 6:14

(14) Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?

1. THE ATTENTION-SEEKER

Est 3:2

(2) And all the king's servants who were at the king's gate bowed down and did reverence to Haman, for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down nor do him reverence.

Est 3:5

(5) And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down nor do him reverence, he was very angry.

Est 3:9

(9) If it pleases the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed, and I will pay 10,000 talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king's business, that it may be brought into the king's treasuries.

Haman wanted Mordecai’s attention and acknowledgement. Mordecai’s refusal ignited a hatred that could have led to a complete genocide of Israel.

There are folk that constantly demand attention and acknowledgement in corporate gatherings. This is also common in pastors’ gatherings. Some will never show up unless they are given a chance to speak. Others demand a stage seat or front seat. Some demand constant attention from the Set man or Set Woman of the Household.

Mat 23:6-7

(6) And they take pleasure in and [thus] love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues,

(7) And to be greeted with honor in the marketplaces and to have people call them rabbi.

An inferiority complex coupled with insecurity of the call of God is the underlying cause. This monster can never be satisfied. It is constantly seeking for attention and acceptance.

1. THE IDLE-BUSY BODY

1Ti 5:13

(13) Moreover, as they go about from house to house, they learn to be idlers, and not only idlers, but gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not say and talking of things they should not mention.

This is the purposeless visitor. Beware! They have come to devour your time with idle, insignificant chat about other folk and the latest happenings on television. They are never involved in advancing the purposes of the kingdom of God.

1. THE NEGATIVE COMMENTATOR

Num 13:32-33

(32) So they brought the Israelites an evil report of the land which they had scouted out, saying, The land through which we went to spy it out is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature.

(33) There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

Num 14:1

(1) And the entire congregation cried out with a loud voice, and [they] wept that night.

This is one instance of negativity in the scriptures. There are folk that have nothing positive to say. They constantly complain and murmur. They are often sad, angry and bitter folk who cannot rejoice with other people’s success. God did not tolerate them. Nothing satisfies them.

1Co 10:5

(5) Nevertheless, God was not pleased with the great majority of them, for they were overthrown and strewn down along [the ground] in the wilderness. [Numbers 14:29-30]

1Co 10:10

(10) Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did--and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death). [Numbers 16:41, 49]

1. THE SUSPICIOUS “FRIEND”

2Sa 10:2-4

(2) David said, I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, as his father did to me. So David sent his servants to console him for his father's death; and they came into the land of the Ammonites,

(3) But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, Do you think that it is because David honors your father that he has sent comforters to you? Has he not rather sent his servants to you to search the city, spy it out, and overthrow it?

(4) So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half their beards and cut off their garments in the middle at their hips and sent them away.

Hanun was suspicious of David’s kindness. There are some folk that are very hard to please. They demand proof every time. They ascribe evil motives to your good actions without proof.

THESE RELATIONSHIPS ARE VERY DRAINING RELATIONSHIPS. THEY

SUCK VIRTUE OUT OF YOU. YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF EXHAUSTED

IN THE EVENINGS.

Pro 13:20

(20) He who walks [as a companion] with wise men is wise, but he who associates with [self-confident] fools is [a fool himself and] shall smart for it. [Isaiah 32:6]

WALK WITH WISE FOLK, NOT WITH “BOTTOMLESS PITS”.

JUDE WARNS:

Jud 1:12-13

(12) These are hidden reefs (elements of danger) in your love feasts, where they boldly feast sumptuously [carousing together in your midst], without scruples providing for themselves [alone]. They are clouds without water, swept along by the winds; trees, without fruit at the late autumn gathering time--twice (doubly) dead, [lifeless and] plucked up by the roots;

(13) Wild waves of the sea, flinging up the foam of their own shame and disgrace; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of eternal darkness has been reserved forever.