The Communion of Saints

From: Christian Witness: Volume 6 By: George Vicesimus Wigram

• 6 min. read • grade level: 9

VAGUE and indefinite thoughts as to what is meant by " the communion of Saints," and what is the blessedness of it, are too common in the present day. The extent of the ignorance is indeed fearful, because it is amongst Saints who ought to be living

in the known and felt enjoyment of their communion, instead of standing in need that any one should teach them as to its nature and extent. The following citations are from the passages in which the term κοινωνια [communion] or some word kindred to it occurs. It will be seen at once that COMMUNION means simply to possessing in common." Two or more are said to have communion in that which is common to them all." " Possessing in common" then, and not " sympathy" as is generally thought, is the correct meaning of communion.

κοινος (Acts 2:44⁴⁴And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (Acts 2:44).)-And all that believed were together, and had all things common.

Acts 4:32³²And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. (Acts 4:32).-The multitude of them that believed.... had all things common.

Titus 1:4⁴To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. (Titus 1:4).-Mine own son after the common faith.

Jude 3³Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3).-Write unto you of the common salvation.

Komovio) (Rom. 12:13¹³Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. (Romans 12:13))-Distributing to the necessity of Saints.

Rom. 15:27²⁷It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. (Romans 15:27).-The Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things.

Gal. 6:6⁶Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. (Galatians 6:6).-Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

Phil. 4:15¹⁵Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. (Philippians 4:15).-No church communicated with me as concerning giving.

1 Tim. 5:22²²Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. (1 Timothy 5:22).-Neither be partakers of other men's sins.

Heb. 2:14¹⁴Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14).-As the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same.

1 Peter 4:13¹³But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. (1 Peter 4:13).-As ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings.

2 John 2.-is partaker of his evil deeds.

κοινωνία (Acts 2:42⁴²And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42))-in the Apostle's doctrine and fellowship. Rom. 15:26²⁶For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. (Romans 15:26).-A certain contribution for the poor.

1 Cor. 1:9⁹God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9).-Ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus.

1 Cor. 10:16¹⁶The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16).-Is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break is it not the communion of the body of Christ

2 Cor. 6:14¹⁴Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)..-What communion hath light with darkness?

2 Cor. 8:4⁴Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. (2 Corinthians 8:4).-And take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

2 Cor. 9:13¹³Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; (2 Corinthians 9:13).-For your liberal distribution unto them. 2 Cor. 13:14¹⁴The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. <<The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.>> (2 Corinthians 13:14).-And the communion of the Holy Ghost. Gal. 2:9⁹And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. (Galatians 2:9).-The right hands of fellowship.

Eph. 3:9⁹And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: (Ephesians 3:9).-What is the fellowship of the mystery.

Phil. 1:5⁵For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; (Philippians 1:5).-For your fellowship in the gospel.

Phil. 2:1¹If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, (Philippians 2:1).-If any fellowship of the Spirit.

Phil. 3:10¹⁰That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Philippians 3:10).-And the fellowship of His sufferings.

Philem. 1:6⁶That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. (Philemon 6)-That the communication of thy faith.

Heb. 13:16¹⁶But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:16).-And to communicate forget not.

1 John 1:3³That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3).-That ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father.

1 John 1:6⁶If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: (1 John 1:6).-If we say that we have fellowship with him.

1 John 1:7⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7).-We have fellowship one with another.

κὸινωνικος (1. Tim. 6:18)-willing to communicate.

κοινωνος (Matt. 23:30³⁰And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. (Matthew 23:30))-partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Luke 5:10¹⁰And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. (Luke 5:10).-Which were partners with Simon.

1 Cor. 10:18¹⁸Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? (1 Corinthians 10:18).-Are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers? &c.

1 Cor. 10:20²⁰But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. (1 Corinthians 10:20).-I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

2 Cor. 1:7⁷And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. (2 Corinthians 1:7).-As ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be, &c.

2 Cor. 8:23²³Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. (2 Corinthians 8:23).-Titus, he is my partner and fellow-helper.

Philem. 1:17¹⁷If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. (Philemon 17)-If thou count me therefore a partner.

Heb. 10:33³³Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. (Hebrews 10:33).-Ye became companions of them that were so used.

1 Peter 5:1¹The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: (1 Peter 5:1).-Also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.

2 Peter 1:4⁴Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Peter 1:4).-Ye might be partakers of the divine nature.

From these passages I gather assuredly that the meaning of communion is " possessing in common." But what is it which is now possessed in common by the Saints? I would answer this by a few citations and passages illustrative of the use of the Greek preposition συν, which present to my own mind in a very pointed and forcible way, the perfection of the union of Christ and the Church, and the wonderful unsearchable glory made ours in Him.

Rom. 6:8⁸Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (Romans 6:8).-If we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.

Rom. 8:32³²He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).-He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things.

2 Cor. 13:4⁴For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. (2 Corinthians 13:4).-We also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God.

Col. 2:13¹³And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Colossians 2:13).-And you... hath He quickened together with Him.

Col 2:20²⁰Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Colossians 2:20) ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world.

Col. 3:3, 4³For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:3‑4).-Ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.

1 Thess. 4:14¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (1 Thessalonians 4:14).-Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.

1 Thess. 4:17¹⁷Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17).-And so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1 Thess. 5:10¹⁰Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. (1 Thessalonians 5:10).-Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

And more clearly still is the same pressed upon our notice, by the words compounded of this same preposition; see for instance, συμφυτος (Rom. 6:6⁶Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6))-If we have been " planted together" in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.

συσταυροω (Rom. 6:6⁶Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6))-Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him.

Gal. 2:20²⁰I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20).-I am " crucified with" Christ:. nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.

συναποθνησκω (2 Tim. 2:11¹¹It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: (2 Timothy 2:11))-if we be dead with Him, we shall also, &c. &c.

συνθαπτομαι (Rom. 6:4⁴Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4))-we are "buried with" Him by baptism into death.

Col. 2:12¹²Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12).-" Buried with" Him in baptism.

συξαω (Rom. 6:8⁸Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (Romans 6:8), 2 Tim. 2:11¹¹It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: (2 Timothy 2:11))-if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him.

συξωοποιεω (Eph. 2:5⁵Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Ephesians 2:5))-Even when we were dead in sins, bath quickened us together with Christ.

Col. 2:12¹²Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12).-And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him.

συνεγειρω (Eph. 2:6⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6))-hath raised up together.

Col. 2:12¹²Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12).-Ye are risen with Him.

Col. 3:1¹If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1).-If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

συγκαθιξω, (Eph. 2:6⁶And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6))-and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ.

συνεργος (1 Cor. 3:9⁹For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:9))-we are laborers together with God.

συνεργος and συνδοξαζομαι (Rom. 8:17¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)) -we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.

συμβασιλευν (2 Tim. 2:12¹²If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12))-If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him,

Such is the chart of the blessed privileges of those who are συμβασιλευω (Rom. 8:17¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)), joint-heirs with Christ, they are predestinated to be (σνμμορφοι) Rom. 8:29²⁹For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29), conformed to the image of the Son-even their bodies of humiliation fashioned like unto His glorious body (Phil. 3:21²¹Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21)), and therefore now likewise called (Phil. 3:20²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20)) to be made conformable unto His death.

I see nothing lacking here-if a joint heir with Christ, planted in His death, crucified, dead, and buried with Him; neither the guilt of the old man, nor its deeds, can rise Against me: and if alive with Him, quickened, raised up, made to sit together with Him where He sits-with the certain promise of being glorified together and reigning with Him, radiant with all the beauty of His likeness, even to the change of this vile body, like unto His own glorious body,-I can see every reason why I should be a fellow-worker, gladly suffering with Him until the hour of His glory be come—but oh! the wondrous riches of that love which gave us this and far more than this, even the person of the Lord Himself for our possession!-Debtors to grace! may we learn to walk worthy of the high calling in meekness and in love towards all who share with us these unsearchable privileges.

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