In the biblical context, the term "partner" often refers to individuals who share in a common purpose, mission, or relationship, particularly in the service of God and the advancement of His kingdom. The concept of partnership is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, emphasizing unity, cooperation, and mutual support among believers.

Old Testament Context

The idea of partnership can be seen in the Old Testament through various relationships and covenants. For example, the partnership between Moses and Aaron illustrates a divinely ordained collaboration. God appointed Aaron to assist Moses, saying, "He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him" (Exodus 4:16). This partnership was crucial for leading the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness.

Another example is the partnership between David and Jonathan. Their friendship and covenantal relationship exemplify loyalty and mutual support. Jonathan's commitment to David, even at the cost of his own future as king, highlights the depth of their partnership (1 Samuel 18:3-4).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of partnership is further developed, particularly in the context of the early church. The Apostle Paul frequently refers to his fellow workers as partners in the gospel. In Philippians 1:5, Paul expresses gratitude for the Philippians' "partnership in the gospel from the first day until now" . This partnership involved financial support, prayer, and shared mission.

Paul also uses the term "fellow worker" to describe individuals like Timothy, Titus, and Philemon, indicating a partnership in ministry. In 2 Corinthians 8:23, he refers to Titus as "my partner and fellow worker among you" , underscoring the collaborative nature of their mission work.

Spiritual Partnership

The New Testament also emphasizes spiritual partnership among believers. In 1 Corinthians 3:9, Paul writes, "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building" . This verse highlights the cooperative effort between God and His people in building His kingdom. Believers are called to work together, each contributing their unique gifts and talents to the body of Christ.

The concept of partnership extends to marriage, where the union between husband and wife is seen as a partnership ordained by God. In Ephesians 5:31, Paul quotes Genesis, saying, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh" . This partnership is characterized by mutual love, respect, and submission, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the church.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of partnership is multifaceted, encompassing relationships between individuals, within the church, and with God. It underscores the importance of unity, cooperation, and shared purpose in fulfilling God's will and advancing His kingdom. Through partnerships, believers are strengthened, encouraged, and equipped to carry out their divine calling.1. (n.) One who has a part in anything with an other; a partaker; an associate; a sharer. Partner of his fortune. Shak. Hence: (a) A husband or a wife. (b) Either one of a couple who dance together. (c) One who shares as a member of a partnership in the management, or in the gains and losses, of a business.

2. (n.) An associate in any business or occupation; a member of a partnership. See Partnership.

3. (n.) A framework of heavy timber surrounding an opening in a deck, to strengthen it for the support of a mast, pump, capstan, or the like.

4. (v. t.) To associate, to join.

2844. koinonos -- a sharer
... a sharer. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: koinonos Phonetic Spelling:
(koy-no-nos') Short Definition: a sharer, partner Definition: a sharer ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2844.htm - 7k

3353. metochos -- sharing in
... sharing in. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: metochos Phonetic Spelling:
(met'-okh-os) Short Definition: a sharer, partner Definition: a sharer ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3353.htm - 7k

4791. sugkoinonos -- partaking jointly of
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: sugkoinonos Phonetic Spelling:
(soong-koy-no-nos') Short Definition: a partaker with, co-partner Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4791.htm - 7k

4909. suneudokeo -- to join in approving
... from 4862 , "identity " and 2106 , "seems good") -- properly, to in a "" (), in
keeping with the involved (note the ); to cooperate with a partner to reach, ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4909.htm - 7k

630. apoluo -- to set free, release
... 630 ("to release") is specifically used of a marital partner (Mt 1:19,
5:31,32, 19:7-9 -- parallels at Mk 10:2-12; Lk 16:18). : The ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/630.htm - 10k

5563. chorizo -- to separate, divide
... 5563 ("vacate"), as in the papyri, refers to a marriage partner who the
relationship in soul or body (cf. Moulton-Milligan, 696). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5563.htm - 8k

2086. heterozugeo -- to be yoked up differently, ie to be ...
... 2086 ("mis-matched") is used figuratively of Christians to a partner holding (),
ie that run contrary to faith (the ). : Scripture ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2086.htm - 7k

2135. eunouchos -- a eunuch
... 2135 -- properly, "alone in bed" (ie without a marriage partner) -- literally, a
(emasculated) man; a ; " 'a chamberlain, keeper of the bed-chamber' of an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2135.htm - 7k

4865. sunagonizomai -- to strive with
... strive together with. From sun and agonizomai; to struggle in company with, ie
(figuratively) to be a partner (assistant) -- strive together with. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4865.htm - 7k

4777. sugkakopatheo -- to bear evil treatment along with
... from 4862 , "identified closely " and 2553 , "to suffer harm") -- properly, suffer
because ; to endure hardship someone as a , ie as a true partner (comrade). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4777.htm - 7k

2271. chabbar -- associate, partner (in a trade)
... associate, partner (in a trade). Transliteration: chabbar Phonetic Spelling:
(khab-bawr') Short Definition: traders. ... From chabar; a partner -- companion. ...
/hebrew/2271.htm - 6k

2505a. chalaq -- to divide, share
... distribute (1), distributed (2), divide (12), divided (18), divides (1), dividing
(2), given her a share (1), parcel (1), parceled (1), partner (1), portion (2 ...
/hebrew/2505a.htm - 6k

But Let us Come to These Two Commentaries which He Alone Excepts ...
... Even here recognize in his arguments the influence of him who is as his fellow,
his partner and his brother mystic, to use his own expression. ...
/.../23 but let us come.htm

2 Cor. viii. 16
... He was chosen by us; and unto the same office with Paul, and everywhere was partner
with him, both in his trials and in his dangers, for this is implied in the ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xviii 2 cor viii.htm

The Adventures of Saint Denis of France.
... His only perplexity was discovering that his fair partner did not speak; indeed,
although all the knights and ladies danced in the most lively way, closely ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter five the adventures of.htm

I Knew How it Would Be.
... "With Dalton?". "Yes. Dalton is either a knave or a fool. The former, I believe;
but in either case the result will be the same to his partner. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/i knew how it would.htm

Why was Evolution the Method Chosen?
... and too impotent to do more than play his little part, the discovery must sooner
or later break upon him that Nature meant him to become a partner in her task ...
/.../drummond/the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/iii why was evolution the.htm

The Home and the Boy
... tendency today, as far as the boy is concerned, is an utter disregard on the part
of the father and mother of the importance of the boy as a partner in the ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/i the home and the.htm

Removal to Stamford-Hill, and Commencement of the Fifth ...
... How my soul overflows with gratitude to my Heavenly Father that he has united me
to such a partner, who takes more than a full share in all my sorrows; and ...
/.../chapter xvi removal to stamford-hill.htm

Calcutta and the Mission Centres from Delhi to Amboyna
... The East India Company an unwilling partner of Carey"Calcutta opened to the Mission
by his appointment as Government teacher of Bengali"Meeting of 1802 ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter vii calcutta and the.htm

There is this Further, that in that Very Debt which Married ...
... As if any, being unable alone to rob a man, should find a partner in his iniquity,
and make an agreement with him to do it together, and to divide the spoil ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 4 there is this.htm

Breaking with God.
... broken. And one who would be a partner with God up to the limit of his power
must understand the things that hinder the prayer plan. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/breaking with god.htm

Partner (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who has a part in anything with an other; a partaker; an associate;
a sharer. Partner of his fortune. Shak. ...Partner (8 Occurrences). ...
/p/partner.htm - 9k

Fellow-partner (1 Occurrence)
Fellow-partner. Fellow-partakers, Fellow-partner. Fellowprisoner .
Multi-Version Concordance Fellow-partner (1 Occurrence). ...
/f/fellow-partner.htm - 6k

Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... as plainly as in the argument with the Pharisees put Moses' permission of divorce
under ban; as plainly there declared the putting away of one partner to marry ...
/d/divorce.htm - 41k

Taste (46 Occurrences)
... as plainly as in the argument with the Pharisees put Moses' permission of divorce
under ban; as plainly there declared the putting away of one partner to marry ...
/t/taste.htm - 59k

Fellow (166 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A companion; a comrade; an associate; a partner;
a sharer. ... In composition, "fellow" always means partner or companion. ...
/f/fellow.htm - 42k

Yokefellow
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) An associate or companion in, or as in; a mate;
a fellow; especially, a partner in marriage. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/y/yokefellow.htm - 9k

Associate (20 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To join with one, as a friend, companion, partner, or confederate; as,
to associate others with us in business, or in an enterprise. ...
/a/associate.htm - 14k

Partners (9 Occurrences)

/p/partners.htm - 8k

Partly (7 Occurrences)

/p/partly.htm - 8k

Titus (15 Occurrences)
... "Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and fellow-worker to you-ward"
(2 Corinthians 8:23). John Rutherfurd. TITUS JUSTUS. tish'-us jus'-tus. ...
/t/titus.htm - 29k

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