Revisiting the Concept of Koinonia
Revisiting the Concept of Koinonia

Dimensions of Pauline’s Theology of Communion

Author(s): Daniel G. Oprean
Subject(s): Biblical studies, Pastoral Theology
Published by: Scientia Moralitas Research Institute
Keywords: koinonia; participation; church; communion
Summary/Abstract: It is the aim of this article to sketch the dimensions of Pauline theology of koinonia. The Christian life is lived in the reality of participation in Christ’s death, resurrection and suffering. And these are the elements of what could be called the vertical dimension of koinonia with Christ, at the individual and communal level. There is also a horizontal dimension of koinonia with Christ, namely the communion of believers in the Body of Christ, the Church. Any individual believer is to acknowledge his participation in the community of Christ. This is actually reminded anytime when the believers share the Eucharist. The common element that connects the two dimensions, vertical and horizontal, of koinonia with Christ, is His example, expressed powerfully in his kenosis. The church mirrors Christ’s kenosis in every member’s attitude towards each other, in the embrace of the other in the same way in which, lovingly and sacrificially, Christ embraced humanity, in his body, transforming it from within.

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