Over this past week, our church heard from Revelation 21:10 through 22:5. Within those verses, is verse 21:27, speaking of the New Jerusalem. It says, “nothing unclean will enter it”. That seems like a pretty factual statement, and one worth knowing more about…especially if we desire to enter that city someday.
The Greek word used here is “Koinos“. Its meaning is pretty obvious and straightforward. “Common, ordinary, belonging to generality; unhallowed, profane, Levitically unclean.”
When looking at the word, however, a larger word came to mind. Many of us have even heard of this word, often used as a catchy name for a Sunday School or Small Group. The word, “Koinonia“, meaning fellowship, community, joint participation, intimacy, etc. “Koinonia” comes from “Koinonos“, which means partner, associate, comrade, or companion. “Koinonos” comes from “Koinos” mentioned in the previous paragraph.
Just looking at this two words then, it would seem “Koinonia” might not be a great thing to be involved in. “Fellowship of unclean”?
Then we go one step further to find out what the root of the word “Koinos” might be. The word “soon“, which simply means “with”. At the very root of all of this is a simple word that connects one thing to another. Not good or bad, simply offering a relational signifier.
