κοινωνία (G2842) — Greek Lexicon

κοινωνία

koinōnía

G2842 noun

SILEX Entry

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

Definition

Participation, sharing in a common interest or activity; association characterized by commonality, mutual involvement, or joint contribution. In specific contexts, it can denote active partnership, contribution to a cause or need, or intimate social association. Extends to both tangible (material assistance, purchase in common) and intangible (spiritual solidarity, shared beliefs) domains.

Semantic Range

participation, sharing, joint partnership, fellowship, mutual association, contribution, communal relationship, distribution

Root / Etymology

From the Greek root κοινων- (koinōn-), related to κοινός (koinos, 'common, shared'). Forms from the noun ending -ία (-ia) indicating a state, condition, or practice. Cognate with κοινωνός (koinōnos, 'participant,' 'partner'). The underlying sense is one of 'having in common.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, κοινωνία primarily denoted partnership, association, and sharing in common—ranging from business ventures and joint property to philosophical community and political participation. In Hellenistic and Koine usage, including the Septuagint and New Testament, the term expands to signify a network of social, spiritual, and sometimes material bonds. In early Christian literature, κοινωνία often refers to the mutual support, unity, and participation among members of assemblies, sometimes specifically the act of contributing financially to support others (e.g., Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 9:13). It also designates participation in spiritual realities, such as 'fellowship with' the divine or with other believers (1 John 1:3, 6–7; 1 Corinthians 10:16). Standard English renderings like "fellowship," "communion," or "contribution" reflect only segments of its full semantic field. Notably, κοινωνία does not intrinsically denote religious ritual or sacramental acts, though it is later used for such in ecclesiastical tradition.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from κοινωνός; partnership, i.e. (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction:--(to) communicate(-ation), communion, (contri-)distribution, fellowship.

Root Family

κοινωνία (koinōnia) — sharing, participation, partnership, communal association

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	Occurrences
`G2842-01`	κοινωνίᾳ	koinonia	`N DAT F SG`	fellowship	in shared participation	9
`G2842-02`	κοινωνίαν	koinonian	`N ACC F SG`	fellowship	shared participation	7
`G2842-03`	κοινωνίας	koinonias	`N GEN F SG`	of fellowship	of shared participation	3

Occurrences in Scripture

19 total occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1
`G2842-01`	Acts 2:42	κοινωνίᾳ	koinonia	`N DAT F SG`	fellowship	in shared participation
`G2842-02`	Romans 15:26	κοινωνίαν	koinonian	`N ACC F SG`	a contribution	shared participation
`G2842-02`	1 Corinthians 1:9	κοινωνίαν	koinonian	`N ACC F SG`	fellowship	shared participation
`G2842-01`	1 Corinthians 10:16	κοινωνία	koinonia	`N NOM F SG`	communion	in shared participation
`G2842-01`	1 Corinthians 10:16	κοινωνία	koinonia-2	`N NOM F SG`	communion	in shared participation
`G2842-01`	2 Corinthians 6:14	κοινωνία	koinonia	`N NOM F SG`		in shared participation
`G2842-02`	2 Corinthians 8:4	κοινωνίαν	koinonian	`N ACC F SG`		shared participation
`G2842-03`	2 Corinthians 9:13	κοινωνίας	koinonias	`N GEN F SG`		of shared participation
`G2842-01`	2 Corinthians 13:13	κοινωνία	koinonia	`N NOM F SG`	fellowship	in shared participation
`G2842-03`	Galatians 2:9	κοινωνίας	koinonias	`N GEN F SG`	of fellowship	of shared participation
`G2842-01`	Philippians 1:5	κοινωνίᾳ	koinonia	`N DAT F SG`	fellowship	in shared participation
`G2842-01`	Philippians 2:1	κοινωνία	koinonia	`N NOM F SG`	fellowship	in shared participation
`G2842-02`	Philippians 3:10	κοινωνίαν	koinonian	`N ACC F SG`	fellowship	shared participation
`G2842-01`	Philemon 1:6	κοινωνία	koinonia	`N NOM F SG`	fellowship	in shared participation
`G2842-03`	Hebrews 13:16	κοινωνίας	koinonias	`N GEN F SG`	sharing	of shared participation
`G2842-02`	1 John 1:3	κοινωνίαν	koinonian	`N ACC F SG`	fellowship	shared participation
`G2842-01`	1 John 1:3	κοινωνία	koinonia	`N NOM F SG`	fellowship	in shared participation
`G2842-02`	1 John 1:6	κοινωνίαν	koinonian	`N ACC F SG`	fellowship	shared participation
`G2842-02`	1 John 1:7	κοινωνίαν	koinonian	`N ACC F SG`	fellowship	shared participation

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