WHY it matters//

The Bible describes the relationship between God’s family, the church, with the word koinonia. This is the word that we get fellowship from. The basic meaning of this word is to be as committed to Jesus as we are to one another. The word community is easily thrown around and applied very lightly to all types of groups of people… but what does it really mean? To be a community means much more than enjoying the same activities or being in the same stage of life. The standard for koinonia seems to be a high one, but it’s worth pursuing if we really want God’s version of community.

WHAT it's talking about//

Paul wrote this letter to the Romans around 57 AD. He was writing to community that was struggling to live in unity, as it was a church with both Jewish and Gentile believers. In this section of the letter he is encouraging them that we must be unified in love, though we are different. Just as a body has many parts that work together, so do we. Not only were there ethnic divisions, but status divisions also. Many of the higher ranking individuals, who would never interact with someone like a slave, are now in a community where they are to treat that person as an equal. Paul is encouraging the church to reject the social and ethic barriers that the world uses to divide and to strive to be one, despite their diversity. The fact that we are different is not meant to separate us, but to be a source of strength as we strive for genuine love as one in Christ.

Romans 12:4-6, 9-16 NLT

4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 

5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well…

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 

10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 

11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 

12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 

13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 

15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!