μετοχή

metochḗ

G3352 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

companionship, partnership, or participation with others; reference to having a share in something, possessing a part or involvement in a relationship, activity, or attribute. In various contexts, it expresses the idea of joining or sharing with others, either in material, relational, or figurative terms. Primary sense is 'a share, participation, or partnership'; extended to include intimate relationship or association.

Semantic Range

share, participation, partnership, association, taking part in something, relationship, intercourse (in the sense of mutual association or sharing)

Root / Etymology

from the verb μετέχω (to have a share in, to participate in), formed from μετά (with, after) and ἔχω (to have, to hold). Thus, μετοχή means the state or condition of sharing or having a part with others.

Historical & Contextual Notes

μετοχή is rare in classical literature but appears in philosophical and Hellenistic writings to denote participation, partnership, or sharing in something—such as attributes, properties, or activities. In Koine usage (including the New Testament), it underscores relational or existential sharing (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14, where μετοχή describes partnership or association in ethical or religious contexts). Unlike the more theologically charged κοινωνία (koinōnia, 'fellowship' or 'communion'), μετοχή is the more general term for sharing or partaking, often without the deeper communal or covenantal overtones. The standard English 'fellowship' captures some but not all nuances—particularly, μετοχή’s broader use in secular and philosophical contexts for any kind of sharing or participation, not limited to spiritual or communal bonds.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from μετέχω; participation, i.e. intercourse:--fellowship.

Root Family

μετοχ- (metochḗ) — to share, to participate, to have a part

Root μετοχ- to share, to participate, to have a part
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G3353 μέτοχος O sharers

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3352-01 μετοχὴ metoche N NOM F SG fellowship participation participation 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3352-01 2 Corinthians 6:14 μετοχὴ metoche N NOM F SG fellowship participation participation