Encyclopedia of Christianity Online

Get access
Search Results: | 4 of 7 |

Koinonia
(1,769 words)

1. Biblical Foundations

1.1. Terms

The Gk. noun koinōnia and related words—with the root meaning “(have in) common, communal; have a share or part (in something); go partners in”—occurs some 119 times in the Bible (J. Reumann). There is no corresponding term in Hebrew, little of significant use in the LXX, and no use by Jesus. The background of this word lies in secular Greek, where it meant, for example, “(business) partner” (Luke 5:10) or “possessions held in common” (see Acts …

Cite this page
Reumann, John, “Koinonia”, in: Encyclopedia of Christianity Online. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2211-2685_eco_K83>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004169678, 20080512



▲   Back to top   ▲