Partnership in a common enterprise. God's people are called to work together especially in the task of mission, to recognise one another's gifts and to give support to one another's ministries.
Fellowship in mission
Partnership in preaching the gospel
Galatians 2:9 See also Mark 10:7; Luke 10:1–2; Philippians 1:5
And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John — those reputed to be pillars — gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
Supporting the work of others
Acts 14:26; Philippians 4:14–16 The Philippians share in Paul's work through their giving. See also Acts 13:2–3, Acts 15:40; 2 Corinthians 11:9; 3 John 1:5–8
From Attalia they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had just completed.
Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my affliction. And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving. For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs again and again.
Standing together in adversity
Hebrews 10:32–34 See also 2 Corinthians 1:7; Philippians 1:27–30, Philippians 4:14; Hebrews 11:25
Remember the early days that you were in the light. In those days, you endured a great conflict in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.
Fellowship between Paul and his co-workers
Philippians 4:3 Acts 11:26–30, Acts 13:42–50, Acts 14:1–23, Acts 15:22–29; Romans 16:3 Priscilla and Aquila; Romans 16:9 Urbanus; Romans 16:21 Timothy; 2 Corinthians 8:23 Titus; Philippians 2:25 Epaphroditus; Philemon 1:1 Philemon; Philemon 1:24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke
Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have contended at my side for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.
In fellowship different gifts are combined for effective service
1 Corinthians 12:12 See also 1 Corinthians 12:4–6
The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ.
Spiritual gifts are given to all to share
1 Corinthians 12:7 See also Romans 12:4–8; 1 Corinthians 12:14–20; 1 Peter 4:10
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
Recognising one another's gifts
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty, whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Accepting one another's ministries
Galatians 2:7–8 See also 1 Corinthians 12:27–31, 1 Corinthians 16:15–18; 2 Peter 3:15–16
On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles.
Examples of sharing in different roles
Nehemiah 4:16–22; 1 Corinthians 3:5–8 See also Exodus 4:15–16, Exodus 17:10–13; 1 Corinthians 12:8–11
And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me. Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is great and extensive, and we are spread out far from one another along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!” So we continued the work, while half of the men held spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. At that time I also said to the people, “Let every man and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.”
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
Examples of working together in fellowship
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 See also Deuteronomy 3:18–20 the Reubenites and the Gadites join with the rest of Israel to conquer Canaan; Judges 20:11 all Israel unites against Gibeah; Ezra 3:8–10 Those returning from exile work together to rebuild the temple; Nehemiah 4:6 The Israelites work together to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem; Luke 5:7–10 Peter and Andrew, James and John are business partners.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? And though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.