κοινωνία
Participation
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.
What does κοινωνία (koinōnía) mean in the Bible?
κοινωνία (koinōnía) is a Greek word meaning "participation". κοινωνία, -ας, ἡ (κοινωνός), [in LXX: Lev. Describes the shared participation of churches in financial and spiritual support. This term runs through the canonical themes of Faith, Messiah, Redemption.
Full entry for κοινωνία (G2842) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
Shared participation in something sacred (Christ, Spirit, suffering), not merely emotional fellowship
(κοινωνός), [in LXX: Lev.6:2 (יָד תְּשׂוּמֶת), Wis.8:18, 3Ma.4:6 * ;]
Why This Word Matters
Describes the shared participation of churches in financial and spiritual support. 1 John 1:1-4
Defines fellowship as active involvement in gospel mission. Acts 2:42-47
The gospel creates a shared life rooted in union with Christ, not mere social association. Philippians 1:3–8
Defines salvation as relational participation in the life shared between the Father and the Son. Romans 15:22-33
It shows that the church is not merely a social group but a community rooted in shared life with the Father and the Son. True fellowship depends on shared faith in the apostolic gospel.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Additional Occurrences
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain