Participation
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Definition and Concept
Participation, in a biblical context, refers to the act of sharing, partaking, or having fellowship with others in spiritual, communal, or sacramental activities. It is a concept deeply rooted in the Christian faith, emphasizing unity, community, and the shared life in Christ.

Biblical Foundations
The New Testament provides a robust framework for understanding participation, particularly through the Greek word "koinonia," which is often translated as fellowship, communion, or partnership. This term encapsulates the essence of Christian participation, highlighting the spiritual and communal bonds among believers.

Participation in the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 illustrates the concept of participation within the Body of Christ. The Apostle Paul describes believers as members of one body, each with unique roles and functions. "For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also is Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12). This passage underscores the importance of each member's participation in the life and mission of the Church.

Participation in the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper, or Communion, is a profound expression of participation in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Paul writes, "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf" . This sacrament symbolizes the unity and shared faith of believers.

Participation in Suffering and Glory
Participation also involves sharing in the sufferings and glory of Christ. Romans 8:17 states, "And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him" . This participation in suffering is seen as a pathway to sharing in Christ's glory, reflecting the transformative power of enduring trials for the sake of the Gospel.

Participation in the Divine Nature
2 Peter 1:4 speaks of believers becoming "partakers of the divine nature" through God's promises. This participation involves a transformative process, where believers are called to live in holiness and righteousness, reflecting God's character in their lives.

Community and Fellowship
Acts 2:42-47 provides a vivid picture of early Christian participation in community life. The early believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). This passage highlights the communal aspects of participation, where believers support, encourage, and grow together in faith.

Practical Implications
Participation in the Christian life extends beyond spiritual activities to include acts of service, generosity, and love. Galatians 6:2 encourages believers to "carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" . This call to action reflects the practical outworking of participation in the lives of believers, fostering a spirit of mutual care and support.

Conclusion
While the concept of participation is multifaceted, it consistently points to the interconnectedness of believers in Christ. Through shared experiences, communal worship, and mutual support, participation becomes a vital expression of the Christian faith, embodying the unity and love that define the Body of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The act or state of participating, or sharing in common with others; as, a participation in joy or sorrows.

2. (n.) Distribution; division into shares.

3. (n.) community; fellowship; association.

Greek
2842. koinonia -- fellowship
... fellowship. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: koinonia Phonetic Spelling:
(koy-nohn-ee'-ah) Short Definition: participation, communion, fellowship ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2842.htm - 7k

3336. metalempsis -- taking, receiving, sharing
... receiving, sharing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: metalempsis
Phonetic Spelling: (met-al'-ape-sis) Short Definition: participation, sharing in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3336.htm - 6k

3352. metoche -- sharing
... fellowship. From metecho; participation, ie Intercourse -- fellowship. see GREEK
metecho. (metoche) -- 1 Occurrence. 3351, 3352. metoche. 3353 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3352.htm - 6k

2817. kleronomia -- an inheritance
... to His chosen people, in the Old Testament: the Promised Land, in NT a possession
viewed in one sense as present, in another as future; a share, participation. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2817.htm - 7k

3844. para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside
... 3844 () usually adds the overtone, "from " (implying participation) and can be followed
by the , , or case -- each one conveying a distinct nuance. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3844.htm - 8k

3310. meris -- a part, portion
... part, portion. Feminine of meros; a portion, ie Province, share or (abstractly)
participation -- part (X -akers). see GREEK meros. (merida) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3310.htm - 6k

3326. meta -- with, among, after
... Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation
or proximity, and transfer or sequence. see GREEK pros. see GREEK apo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3326.htm - 8k

Library

The Holy Communion after Participation.
... The Holy Communion After Participation. VII. After Participation.
7,8,7,8,7,6,7,6,8,6,8,6. Wie wohl hast du gelabet. [217]Rist.1651. ...
/.../the holy communion after participation.htm

How this Participation in Divinity which the Pelagians and ...
... Book V. Chapter III. How this participation in Divinity which the Pelagians
and Nestorians attribute to Christ, is common to all holy men. ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter iii how this participation.htm

The Thirteenth Proposition. Concerning the Communion, or ...
... Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood of Christ. Concerning
the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood of Christ. ...
/.../the thirteenth proposition concerning the.htm

Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood ...
... Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood of Christ. Concerning
the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood of Christ. ...
/.../proposition xiii concerning the communion.htm

Healing Precedes Participation in the Loaves of Jesus.
... Book X. 25. Healing Precedes Participation in the Loaves of Jesus. After
this the word says, "And when even was come, His disciples ...
/.../25 healing precedes participation in.htm

Not to Participation in Mysteries, Then, and to Fellowship in the ...
... Chapter LXI. Not to participation in mysteries, then, and to fellowship in
the wisdom hidden in a? Not to participation in mysteries ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxi not to participation.htm

Whether this Name "God" is Applied to God Univocally by Nature, by ...
... THE NAMES OF GOD (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether this name "God" is applied to God
univocally by nature, by participation, and according to opinion? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether this name god is 3.htm

The Difference Between what is Good in Itself and what is Good by ...
... On the Morals of the Manich??ans. Chapter 4. "The Difference Between What
is Good in Itself and What is Good by Participation. ...
/.../chapter 4 name difference between.htm

On the Vocation of Sinful Men to Christ, and to a Participation of ...
... DISPUTATION XLII ON THE VOCATION OF SINFUL MEN TO CHRIST, AND TO A
PARTICIPATION OF SALVATION IN HIM. The vocation or calling to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xlii on the vocation.htm

On the Vocation of Sinners to Communion with Christ, and to a ...
... FIFTH PART ON THE VOCATION OF SINNERS TO COMMUNION WITH CHRIST, AND TO A
PARTICIPATION OF HIS BENEFITS. Sinful man, after the perpetration ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on the vocation of sinners.htm

Thesaurus
Participation (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act or state of participating, or sharing in common with others; as,
a participation in joy or sorrows. ...Participation (9 Occurrences). ...
/p/participation.htm - 9k

Joint-participation (1 Occurrence)
Joint-participation. Joint-partakers, Joint-participation. Joints .
Multi-Version Concordance Joint-participation (1 Occurrence). ...
/j/joint-participation.htm - 6k

Nightmonster
... There is no evidence of active participation in this belief, or even of interest
in it as such, on the part of the prophetical writer. ...
/n/nightmonster.htm - 17k

Night-monster
... There is no evidence of active participation in this belief, or even of interest
in it as such, on the part of the prophetical writer. ...
/n/night-monster.htm - 17k

Loaf (14 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing, which we bless, does it
not mean a joint-participation in the blood of Christ? The ...
/l/loaf.htm - 11k

Agape
... Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20-22, 33, 34) make it evident that in Corinth as in Jerusalem
the celebration of the rite was associated with participation in a meal ...
/a/agape.htm - 15k

Fellowship (114 Occurrences)
... Amos 3:2); mutual affection (Romans 8:38, 39); enjoyment of his presence (Psalm
4:6); conformity to his image (1 John 2:6; 1:6); and participation of his ...
/f/fellowship.htm - 47k

Joints (7 Occurrences)

/j/joints.htm - 9k

Mean (93 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing, which we bless, does it not mean
a joint-participation in the blood of Christ? The loaf ...
/m/mean.htm - 40k

Communion (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The act of sharing; community; participation. ...
In some passages it is represented as a participation or partnership. ...
/c/communion.htm - 30k

Resources
I am a victim of abuse. Why do I feel guilty? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian use social media/networking tools (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.)? | GotQuestions.org

How can I avoid enabling someone else's sin? | GotQuestions.org

Participation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Participation (9 Occurrences)

1 Corinthians 10:16
The cup of blessing, which we bless, does it not mean a joint-participation in the blood of Christ? The loaf of bread which we break, does it not mean a joint-participation in the body of Christ?
(WEY RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 6:14
Be not diversely yoked with unbelievers; for what participation is there between righteousness and lawlessness? or what fellowship of light with darkness?
(DBY)

2 Corinthians 6:15
Where can harmony between Christ and Belial be found? Or what participation has a believer with an unbeliever?
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 8:4
Seriously requesting us that they might have a part in this grace of being servants to the needs of the saints:
(See NAS)

Philippians 1:5
for your partnership in furtherance of the Good News from the first day until now;
(See NAS)

Philippians 2:1
If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion,
(See RSV)

Colossians 1:12
Giving thanks to the Father who did make us meet for the participation of the inheritance of the saints in the light,
(YLT)

Philemon 1:6
praying as I do, that their participation in your faith may result in others fully recognizing all the right affection that is in us toward Christ.
(WEY DBY)

Revelation 18:4
I heard another voice from heaven, saying, "Come out of her, my people, that you have no participation in her sins, and that you don't receive of her plagues,
(WEB)

Subtopics

Participation

Related Terms

Participation (9 Occurrences)

Particular (8 Occurrences)

Righteous (407 Occurrences)

Tidings (169 Occurrences)

Participating in God's Work
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