Bible Dictionary
Fellowship
Fellowship is shared relationship and participation with God and with other believers. It includes knowing God’s will, enjoying His presence, sharing worship and service, bearing one another’s burdens, and sharing spiritual and practical blessings.
Definition
Fellowship is shared relationship, participation, and mutual interest. It may describe communion with God through knowledge of His will, agreement with His purposes, affection, His presence, conformity to His image, and participation in His blessing.
Biblical Usage
Believers have fellowship with God and with one another in duties, worship, grace, love, joy, spiritual and material interests, suffering, and future glory. Fellowship includes bearing one another’s burdens and sharing in the life of the saints.
Scripture References
Job 22:21
John 17:3
Amos 3:2
Romans 8
Psalms 4:6
1 John 2:6
1 John 1:6
1 John 1:3
1 John 1:4
Ephesians 3:14-21
Romans 12:5
1 Corinthians 12:1
1 Thessalonians 5:17
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Hebrews 10:25
Acts 2:46
Malachi 3:16
2 Corinthians 8:4
Romans 12:4
Romans 12:13
Hebrews 13:16
Romans 15:1
Romans 15:2
Galatians 6:1
Galatians 6:2
Romans 12:15
Revelation 7:9
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) With God, consisting in the knowledge of his will (Job 22:21; John 17:3); agreement with his designs (Amos 3:2); mutual affection (Rom. 8: 38, 39); enjoyment of his presence (Ps. 4:6); conformity to his image (1 John 2:6; 1:6); and participation of his felicity (1 John 1:3, 4; Eph. 3:14-21). (2.) Of saints with one another, in duties (Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Thess. 5:17, 18); in ordinances (Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:46); in grace, love, joy, etc. (Mal. 3:16; 2 Cor. 8:4); mutual interest, spiritual and temporal (Rom. 12:4, 13; Heb. 13:16); in sufferings (Rom. 15:1, 2; Gal. 6:1, 2; Rom. 12:15; and in glory (Rev. 7:9).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>fel'-o-ship.</p><p>See COMMUNION.</p>