Communion

The Greek word koinonia (κοινωνία) means "communion", "participation" or "sharing". In each of these occasions, the strongest sense of the word is meant. That is, communion, or complete participation or sharing in the life of another, such that each share a common existence. Koinonia is often translated as "fellowship" in modern English translations of the Bible. This is unfortunate, because fellowship is a very weak word that describes a relationship between two very discrete personalities. The common understanding in Protestantism is that the church is composed of a fellowship of like-minded believers. This is erroneous and not a scriptural idea. But the Church is not a fellowship. It should be a koinonia, a communion, as noted in scripture. It is a communion in Christ; a participation in his life (1 Cor 12). This weakened translation of the word koinonia into fellowship has supported the Protestant notion of an individual believer with a relationship with Christ in his Bible. This is not the language or imagery of scripture, nor the doctrine of the Church. (Paraphrasing Fr. Stephen Freeman, Glory To God Podcast, July 3, 2008)