"fellowship, partnership, Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 6:14; 13:13; Gal. 2:9; Phil. 3:10; 1 Jn. 1:3; participation, communion, 1 Cor. 10:16; aid, relief, Heb. 13:16; contribution in aid, Rom. 15:26"
Definition and meaning
fellowship, partnership, Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 6:14; 13:13; Gal. 2:9; Phil. 3:10; 1 Jn. 1:3; participation, communion, 1 Cor. 10:16; aid, relief, Heb. 13:16; contribution in aid, Rom. 15:26
In the original Greek the word is written: κοινωνία
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of koinonia (G2842) across the King James Bible.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
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Common questions
Strong's G2842 (koinonia) is a Greek word that means: fellowship, partnership, Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 6:14; 13:13; Gal. 2:9; Phil. 3:10; 1 Jn. 1:3; participation, communion, 1 Cor. 10:16; aid, relief, Heb. 13:16; contribution in aid, Rom. 15:26 It appears 18 times in the King James Bible.
The word koinonia (G2842) appears 18 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2842 is koinonia, a Greek word defined as: fellowship, partnership, Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 6:14; 13:13; Gal. 2:9; Phil. 3:10; 1 Jn. 1:3; participation, communion, 1 Cor. 10:16; aid, relief, Heb. 13:. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
koinonia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.