Craig T. Owens

John uses the word “fellowship” four times in 1 John 1:3, 6-7. This is the Greek word koinonia, which means intimacy of relationship. The whole purpose of the motivational gifts, the operational gifts, and the leadership gifts is to bring maturity and unity to the Body of Christ. This maturity brings out the fruit of the Spirit. 

All of these gifts of the Holy Spirit are intended to help us demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in ways that make the Kingdom of God visible and desirable. A key component is our koinonia that draws us together as one Body. Two key phrases that appear generously throughout the New Testament Church are one another and each other. 

Download the participant’s guide for this lesson here → Gift of koinonia handout

Here’s how koinonia is supposed to be demonstrated—

1. Loving one another—John 13:34-35; 15:12, 17; Romans 13:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22, 3:8; 1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7, 11-12
2. Sharing in each other’s practical needs—Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-35 
3. Devoted to one another—Romans 12:10
4. Honoring one another—Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3 (AMP); 1 Peter 5:5
5. Living in harmony with each other—Romans 12:16 
6. Not judging one another—Romans 14:13 
7. Building each other up—Romans 14:19 NLT 
8. Empathizing with each other—Romans 15:5 AMP; 1 Corinthians 12:25 AMP; 1 Peter 3:8 TLB 
9. Accepting each other—Romans 15:7 
10. Instructing one another—Acts 2:42; Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16 
11. Agreeing with one another—1 Corinthians 1:10 
12. Encouraging one another—2 Corinthians 13:11; Ephesians 5:19; 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11; Hebrews 3:13, 10:25
13. Serving each other—Galatians 5:13 
14. Patiently bearing with one another—Ephesians 4:2; Ephesians 4:3 TLB 
15. Speaking the truth in love to one another—Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 3:9
16. Forgiving one another—Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13 
17. Submitting to one another—Ephesians 5:21 
18. Acting like Jesus toward each other—Philippians 2:5 
19. Doing what is good for one another—1 Thessalonians 5:15 
20. Spurring one another on—Hebrews 10:24 
21. Regularly meeting with one another—Acts 2:46; Hebrews 10:25 
22. Looking after each other—Hebrews 12:15 AMP 
23. Confessing sins to one another—James 5:16 
24. Showing hospitality to each other—1 Peter 4:9 
25. Doing the hard work of getting along with each other—James 3:17-18 MSG

Those things lead to #26, which starts the cycle over again at #1. 

26. Increasing our love for one another—1 Thessalonians 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 13:1; 1 Peter 4:8 

Our koinonia in the church is encouraging for the saints and it is a blessing for the unsaved because of all of the good things a unified, strong, loving church can do. Koinonia ultimately becomes one of the greatest witnessing tools. Jesus prayed—

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. (John 17:20-21)