More on the connection between joy and “koinonia” / “fellowship”

If you are not actively investing in the lives of other believers within the Body of Christ, you will not have a full experience of joy.

Yesterday, I argued that Paul often speaks of joy in connection to relationships with other believers.  My learned friend Jerry Wall pointed out in a comment that this  is observed in Philemon 6 where Paul encourages Philemon, “I pray that you may be active in koinonia/invested partnerships /fellowship so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.”

Notice how John connects joy and koinonia / fellowship in 1 John 1:3-4.  This is such a beautiful thought:

3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Invest in others this week – – by serving and loving them – – and you will take a step towards more joy.