[2 Corinthians 8:4] "Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship [koinonia] of the ministering to the saints." This verse re-emphasizes the giving ministry to the saints in Jerusalem. We have fellowship with our missionaries by ministering to them financially.
[Galatians 6:6] "Let him that is taught in the word communicate [koinonia] (contribute) unto him that teacheth in all good things." The word ‘communicate’ comes from the Greek word ‘koinonia.’ We are to minister materially by giving to those who teach us the Word of God.
Hebrews 13:16 tells us, "But to do good and to communicate [koinonia] forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." Much of giving today is not sacrificial. Sacrificial giving is well pleasing to God. Fellowship through giving is not to be forgotten. This aspect of our fellowship is that of giving of our financial means so that others do not suffer.
Philippians 1:5 says, (He’s thanking God) "For your fellowship (contribution) in the gospel from the first day until now." This is aThis This fFFurther example of fellowship with a church that ministered to Paul financially as mentioned by Paul in Philippians 4.
There’s also fellowship in ministering to others. [2 Corinthians 8:23] "Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner [koinonos] and fellow helper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ." The word “partner” comes from the same root word, as does ‘koinonia.’ There is to be a fellowship among those who are working in the ministry of the distribution of the truths of the Word of God.
Philemon 1:17, talking about Onesimus, says, "If thou count me therefore a partner [koinonia], receive him as myself." This passage carries the same thought as that of 2 Corinthians 8:23; that as being co-laborers in the ministry. “As partners in the ministry, forgive and restore Onesimus your servant.”
[Philippians 3:10] "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;" We are to have fellowship in suffering. The word of God is very clear on the matter of suffering. If you live godly you are going to suffer. [Philippians 1:29] says, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe [present active] on him, but also to suffer for his sake;" This is not easy, but needful. If a brother in the Lord is suffering for any reason, we are to enter into our brother’s suffering even if causes us to suffer also. The way, it seems to me, that we enter into Christ’ suffering is to participate in the suffering of others.
[2 Corinthians 1:7] "And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers [fellowship] of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation [paraklesis, exhortation]." Fellowship in suffering allows us to be exhorted to continue in the faith and not quit. If we are alone, and not in fellowship, then we can become discouraged. The counsel of Solomon is good counsel. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." This is the reason that fellowship is so important. We need the encouragement of others.
How important is doctrine? [1 John 1:1-3] "That WHICH [nominative singular] was from the beginning, [that] WHICH we have heard, [that] WHICH we have seen with our eyes, [that] WHICH we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, [concerning] OF the Word of [the] life; 2. (For the life [nominative singular] was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you THAT eternal life [the life the agelasting], which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us
3. That WHICH we have seen and heard DECLARE WE UNTO YOU (doctrine: that which is taught), that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." The Greek word that is translated “that which” is nominative singular. All of the verbs in verses one and two are in the plural. The gender of the nominative singular “that which” is neuter. The use of the gender in the Greek does not try to describe whether it is male or female or no gender at all, but it helps us to tie words together in a sentence. Words that are male in gender will tend to modify or be related to other words that are also male in gender. This applies to the feminine and neuter gender as well. The words “that which” is nominative singular and so is “the life” in verse 2. What John is talking about in verse 1 is to be associated with the life in verse two. This life is later defined in this verse as “that life the agelasting” in the Greek text. He makes reference to having seen it.
John continues in verse two telling them that we bear witness to that life because we have seen it. This reference to seeing this life is because they had eyes to see the mystery of this life which is agelasting life.
[1 John 1:6-7] If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we are liars. The only way that we can maintain our fellowship with him is by confession of sin. Being born from above into the family does not take care of unconfessed sin. You have to confess an unconfessed sin if you expect to maintain fellowship with the Lord. In verse 7 it speaks of walking in the light as he is in the light so that we have fellowship with him. The cleansing by the blood in this verse deals with sins that are unknown to us or sins we have forgotten about. 1 John 1:9 still comes into play when we know of sin in our lives we must confess it. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
[Philippians 2:1-2] "If there be therefore any consolation [EXHORTATION, paraklesis] in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any
fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be LIKEMINDED, [DOCTRINE DOES THIS] having the same love, being of one accord, of ONE MIND." If there is to be exhortation, comfort, and mercies there needs to be doctrine. Doctrine produces like-mindedness among believers and this encourages fellowship. Can you fellowship with someone who has vastly different doctrines? Included in the list is that of “fellowship of the spirit”. Just because the word “spirit” is capitalized does not mean that it is the Holy Spirit. Putting a capital ‘S’ on spirit is interpretation and not translation. This spirit of fellowship is that of love, of being of one accord as brought out in verse 2.
[Romans 12:15-16] "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be OF THE SAME MIND one toward another. MIND NOT HIGH THINGS, but CONDESCEND to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits." Is rejoicing with them that rejoice and weeping with those who weep fellowship? Absolutely! That is fellowship. We need to come alongside a brother that has a heavy heart, and is shedding tears. When you have fellowship with those who are rejoicing, let it rub off on you and you will go away rejoicing. Proverbs 15:15 says, "All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast." If you have a merry heart, invite someone to your banquet.
Fellowship is being blind to one’s status in life. We should treat every one the same when it comes to fellowship. You may be high in society and well off financially, but that should not affect your fellowship with those who are poor and of little esteem.
But, we’re to esteem doctrine. [John 14:21] "He that hath [ESTEEM] my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." This word “hath” could be better translated “esteemeth”. The word “hath” is a present active participle. Because doctrine is essential for fellowship, we need to have a high esteem for his commandments, which is His word. If we will have a high esteem for his Word and demonstrate our love to the Father and His Son by guarding them, Jesus will manifest himself to us. Our esteem for his commandments will provide a way for the Father and the Son to disclose themselves to us.
