Give Me Koinonia

Growing up I walked past the men’s Bible class every Sunday. The sign above the door said “Koinonia” (koin-own-ya). Didn’t know what it meant then. Didn’t think to ask.

I forgot about koinonia until I read it in a devotional this week. Some say it means “fellowship”, but it’s lots more than that. Fellowship is having a cup of coffee or tea with a friend. Koinonia is intimate, binding communion. It’s the same koinonia that first church enjoyed in Acts 2.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common.

It’s a closeness born out of a true, never-to-be-broken commitment to another person or close-knit group. Koinonia describes a business partnership when both partners agree that if one goes belly up they both go.

Years ago Siamese twins were koinonia. Siamese twins joined in the middle have one blood system flowing in and through them. If one twin dies, both die.

I want koinonia with my men’s group. With my church. With Jesus. I want to be that intimately close to Him all the time. I want to live and move and have my being with Jesus in koinonia.