← G2840 G2842 →

κοινωνέω

koinōnéō

G2841 verb

SILEX Entry

Root κοινων- to share, to participate, to have in common

Definition

To participate, share in, or have a part with (someone or something); to take part in something jointly, often implying close association and mutual involvement. The word can refer to sharing material resources, experiences, or status, as well as to participating in sufferings, relationships, or responsibilities. It may be used both in positive contexts (sharing in benefits, privileges, or fellowship) and negative ones (participating in hardships or guilt).

Semantic Range

to have a share with, to participate in, to share with, to contribute to, to take part in jointly, to communicate (in archaic sense), to partner, to be a partaker of

Root / Etymology

From the root κοινων- (koinōn-), meaning 'common, shared,' derived from κοινός (koinos, 'common'). κοινωνέω is the verbal form meaning 'to have a share with' or 'to participate.' Related nouns include κοινωνία (koinōnia, 'participation, fellowship') and κοινωνός (koinōnos, 'partner, sharer').

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κοινωνέω typically refers to taking part in something jointly, such as sharing property, experiences, or responsibilities. In Hellenistic and Koine Greek (including the New Testament and Septuagint), it retains this core sense but is often used with a religious or social nuance, such as sharing in spiritual privileges, sufferings, or material needs. The verb frequently appears with genitive or dative objects, indicating what is shared (e.g., 'share in someone's troubles'). In some contexts, it describes the act of contributing to others’ needs (e.g., Romans 12:13; Philippians 4:15). English translations such as 'communicate' (archaic), 'share,' and 'become a partaker' reflect portions of its semantic range, but can obscure the sense of active, mutual participation implied by the Greek. Unlike related terms such as μεταλαμβάνω (to receive a share), κοινωνέω emphasizes joint participation, not merely receiving. Its cognates, κοινωνός and κοινωνία, consistently express ideas of mutuality, partnership, and fellowship.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κοινωνός; to share with others (objectively or subjectively):--communicate, distribute, be partaker.

Root Family

κοινωνέω (koinōneō) — to share, to participate, to have in common

Word Forms

7 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
G2841-04 κοινώνει koinonei V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG share share 2
G2841-01 ἐκοινώνησαν ekoinonesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL have shared they shared 1
G2841-06 κοινωνείτω koinoneito V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG let him share let him share 1
G2841-02 ἐκοινώνησεν ekoinonesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG communicated he shared in 1
G2841-05 κοινωνεῖτε koinoneite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL you share you are sharing 1
G2841-07 κοινωνοῦντες koinonountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL distributing sharing 1
G2841-03 κεκοινώνηκεν kekoinoneken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG has shared in 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
G2841-07 Romans 12:13 κοινωνοῦντες koinonountes V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL distributing sharing
G2841-01 Romans 15:27 ἐκοινώνησαν ekoinonesan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL have shared they shared
G2841-06 Galatians 6:6 κοινωνείτω koinoneito V PRS ACT IMP 3P SG let him share let him share
G2841-02 Philippians 4:15 ἐκοινώνησεν ekoinonesen V AOR ACT IND 3P SG communicated he shared in
G2841-04 1 Timothy 5:22 κοινώνει koinonei V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG share share
G2841-03 Hebrews 2:14 κεκοινώνηκεν kekoinoneken V PRF ACT IND 3P SG has shared in
G2841-05 1 Peter 4:13 κοινωνεῖτε koinoneite V PRS ACT IND 2P PL you share you are sharing
G2841-04 2 John 1:11 κοινωνεῖ koinonei V PRS ACT IND 3P SG shares share
← G2840 Greek Lexicon G2842 →