I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. Philippians 1:3-7
“In Philippians 3:10, what the RSV translates as “share his sufferings” actually says “know the koinonia of his sufferings.” In 1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul says, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” The term that the RSV translates here as “participation,” with a footnote explaining that it could also be translated as “communion,” is koinonia.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which acknowledges receipt of a gift, begins with words in which Paul is thanking the Philippians for their partnership and sharing with him. In 1:5 he says that he is thankful for the Philippians koinonia, and two verses later he declares that they are “joint koinonia” of grace with him, that is, common sharers.
At the end of the epistle, he says that they have shared in his trouble (4:14), and the term he uses could be translated as “cokoinonized.” All. of this leads to the unique partnership “in giving and receiving” that he has enjoyed with the church of the Philippians (4:15), and once again the word he uses literally means “koinonized.” In short, koinonia is much more than a feeling of fellowship; it involves sharing goods as well as well as feelings.”
Justo L. González in Faith & Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2002) 83.
What do you share? It’s one thing to share feelings, but Christ wants us to share so much more. He wants us to share in both His sufferings and His life.
We get grace, forgiveness, and so much more. And because we have received it, He wants us to participate in His work by sharing these gifts, and everything we have, with others.
Have you been koinonized? It’s a funny Greek expression that might be rendered for modern readers as being “all in” no matter what, in good times or bad . Are you all in?
I’m safely in Panama and the program work starts today with a TV interview. I will speak on “Building a culture of integrity” explaining the positive impact of standards and how it grows accountability transforms and dismantles the spread of corruption in nations.
Then preaching tomorrow and events in three key cities this week along with Stations of Generosity training. Want to join in this work as a common sharer.
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