"Fellowship" is a word which is articulated almost indiscriminately in religious discussion. It is a word to which we have attached a myriad of definitions.

Someone asked the other day, "What are the prospects of a division in your fellowship in the next few years?" To some, one's "fellowship" is the denomination in which he/she holds membership. To others, one's "fellowship" is the churches which share his/her views on institutionalism. To still others, one's "fellowship" is the local church of which he/she is a part.

Another acquaintance offered prayer in a social setting and thanked God for the "fellowship" we were sharing that day in a home. To some, "fellowship" is spiritual. To others, it is social. To still others, it is anything we do together.

Recently in a large gathering I listened to a heated discussion which centered upon the question, "Whom should we fellowship?" Some thought we should "fellowship" anyone who acknowledges faith in Christ. Others thought we should "fellowship" all baptized believers. Others thought we should "fellowship" those who agree with us on certain "essential" subjects. Still others thought we should "fellowship" only those who agree on all matters which are not clearly "optional."

When the language includes such wide divergence of involvement, it is difficult to pinpoint a single definition. It is important, however, to begin any study of "scriptural fellowship" by asking, "What is it?"

Bible Words for Fellowship

The root from which "fellowship" is usually translated is "koin-." Words formed from that root are "koinos," "koinonia," "koinonos," and "koinoneo." There are forms developed from this root that suggest the idea of a thing's being ceremonially "unclean." The root itself suggests the basic idea of "SHARING."

"Koinos" is the adjective form. It describes what is "common," or "belonging equally to several" (see Acts 2:44; 4:32; and The Analytical Greek Lexicon, p. 235).

"Koinonia" is a general noun form which identifies "fellowship, association, community, communion, joint participation, intercourse" (see Acts 2:42; 2 Cor. 6:14; Gal. 2:9; Phil. 3:10; 1 Jn. 1:3; etc., and Thayer, p. 352). It also may emphasize either the giving of the person sharing or the receiving of the thing shared (Kittel, Vol. 3, p. 798).

"Koinonos" is a personal noun form which identifies "a partner, associate, comrade, or companion" (see Mt. 23:30; Lk. 5:10; 1 Cor. 10:18,20; 2 Cor. 8:23; Phil. 17; Heb. 10:33; etc., and Arndt and Gingrich, p. 440).

"Koinoneo" is a verb form. It means "a. to come into communion or fellowship, to become a sharer, to be made a partner ... , and b. to enter into fellowship, join one's self as an associate, make one's self a sharer or partner, ...." (see Heb. 2:14; Rom. 15:27; 1 Pet. 4:13; 2 Jn. 11; etc., and Thayer, pp. 351-52).

Another word is translated "fellowship" one time in the New Testament (2 Cor. 6:14). It is the word "metoche" and it is defined "a sharing, communion, fellowship" (Thayer, p. 407).

An Initial Summary

We can summarize the definitions by observing that the words suggest "sharing." The idea of "fellowship" may relate to: a) a shared "relationship," or b) to shared "activity" or "interaction" including the sharing of "things" with another.

We may further summarize by noting that the consideration of "scriptural fellowship" must begin by relating it to that which is shared with God. Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2). God sent Christ into the world to bring us back to Him as "sons" (Jn. 1:12-13). If we walk in the light, taught by Him who identified Himself as the "light of the world," we have "fellowship" with God and His Son, Jesus Christ (l Jn. 1:3,7; 1 Cor. 3:9). We have "fellowship" in the suffering of Christ (Phil. 3:10). We have fellowship with Christ in communing together around His table (l Cor. 10:16). We have fellowship with Christ in his body, the church (Eph. 2:16). It is upon that "fellowship" with God and Christ that any "scriptural fellowship" with other persons is established.

There is a sense in which we have fellowship with all other Christians worldwide. Paul said that "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (l Cor. 1:9). "Fellowship" is a relationship shared by all whom God accepts as saved (l John 1:3). I may not even know all other Christians personally. I may not actually DO anything with most of them. I am in Christ and they are in Christ; therefore, we share relationship in Christ.

We are "fellow-citizens" in a universal kingdom (Eph. 2:16,19). We are "fellow-soldiers" in that we all fight a common enemy (Phil. 2:25). We are "fellow-heirs" of the promises of God (Rom. 8:17).

In this general relational sense, God defines, establishes, and controls fellowship. I do not decide who is in Christ. Ultimate judgment concerning who is actually a child of God and who will be saved or lost rests with the Lord (Jn. 1:12-13; Gal. 3:26; 2 Cor. 5:10). God adds one to the church when he/she obeys the gospel and is brought back into fellowship with Him in Christ (Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Jn. 1:6-10). There was a time when we called upon our denominational friends to understand that men are not voted into the church because God adds them. All would do well to remember that today in our discussions among ourselves. I am not called upon to judge the hearts of men or decide their destiny. No other human being(s) can decide whether I will go to heaven or hell. I am glad for that!

"Fellowship" as Shared Activity

There is also a sense in which we have fellowship with persons in spiritual activity. Active fellowship involves joint participation or interaction. It may involve association in spiritual work or worship on either a personal (Gal. 2:9) or a local congregational level (Phil. 1:5; 4:15-16; 2 Cor. 8:1-4). This fellowship is decided and controlled by human beings. I must decide with whom I will share activity. The, congregation must sometimes decide whether it will receive a person in such a way that the person becomes a recognized participant in its activity and thus a part of the group (Mt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5; Rom. 16;17; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14, 15; Tit. 3:10).

Persons who find themselves in the position of deciding with whom they may share spiritual activity must appeal to the Word of God for guidance, and they must exercise great judgment and wisdom. Such takes tremendous effort and patience. These matters involve complex factors such as the motives and attitudes of people in addition to their apparent actions. Sometimes even actions or words are not so easy to know with certainty.

While it is not our role to decide membership in Christ's church or to judge the eternal destiny of men, it is ours to determine with whom we may share spiritual activity either individually or in the local church of which we are a part. Biblical guidelines for making decisions may be summarized under two headings: 1) our responsibility to the person; and 2) our responsibility to God and His word.

We have a basic responsibility to react to every brother with genuine love (Eph. 4:1-3). We must practice sincere compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearance, forgiveness, love, and peace (Col. 3:12-15; Phil. 2:1-8). Involved in this responsibility is the obligation to grant the right of individual judgment in optional matters left by the Lord to personal conscience (Rom. 14). It also involves refusing to insist upon exercising our liberties in a matter of private judgment to the point of becoming a stumbling block to our brethren (l Cor. 8). Any position on fellowship is unscriptural if it does not include these considerations with regard to how we treat one another.

We have another basic responsibility to uphold the truth of God in word, in action, and in influence (Eph. 4:4-6). Several points must be understood.

First, I must preach and defend the truth of God and I must not teach error (2 Tim. 4:1-5). My ultimate loyalty is to Christ. Any position which violates that loyalty in favor of fellowship with men is unacceptable. Any fellowship which prohibits me from preaching the whole truth is indefensible.

Second, I must not practice anything which violates God’s will (l Tim. 5:22; Mt. 15:1-4). If I sin I have done that which Isaiah said separates me from God and hides His face from me (Isa. 59:1-2). John said that if I confess my sins, God is faithful to forgive and cleanse me from unrighteousness. If, on the other hand, I walk in darkness, I can have no fellowship with God. Fellowship with men is not worth that (l Jn. 1:3-10).

Third, I must not allow myself to condone or support sin and/or error in others (2Jn. 9-11; 1 Cor. 5; Rev. 2:12-29). My influence cannot be given to evil. I cannot allow my name to be used in support of anything which opposes the Christ whom I serve.

As suggested earlier, each individual and/or congregation must decide with whom it will share activity. It must also determine whom/what it will support. The following questions must be asked when we face these or similar difficult situations.

May I share worship with a congregation with whom I disagree on a matter which can determine whether Christians will be saved or lost? Questions: Will it cause me to teach or practice something contrary to God’s will? Will it indicate my approval of error/sin? Will it lend my influence to the error/sin of members there?

What shall my attitude be toward one who teaches something which in my view will cause men to be lost if accepted? Questions: Does my participation with him in any spiritual activity lend support to his error? Will my participation with him in things upon which we agree indicate that I condone his error? Will it hamper my ability to teach the truth on this or any other subject? Will my influence be directed away from truth if I support this man in any ways I may be considering? If not, does my refusal to participate with him violate my obligation to love him? All these questions and more must be answered in any given case.

What shall I do when one who is involved in what I consider to be sin asks me to share spiritual activity with him/her? Questions: Will I violate any instruction by God in doing so? By sharing with that person will I condone his/her sin? Will I lend my influence to evil by indicating to others that it is acceptable to do as that person is doing?

Congregational autonomy and personal responsibility to God dictate that each church or Christian give diligent attention to these matters and make appropriate decisions in dealing with brethren. It is sinful to share when such violates the principles we have discussed. It is likewise sinful to refuse those who meet criteria established in God’s word. May God bless us to apply His word with wisdom.