### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek adjective κοινωνικός (koinōnikós), Strong's `{{G2843}}`, is derived from the root κοινωνός (koinōnos, `{{G2844}}`), meaning "partner" or "sharer," and is closely related to the noun κοινωνία (koinōnia, `{{G2842}}`), which signifies "fellowship," "participation," or "sharing." Therefore, κοινωνικός fundamentally describes a person who is characterized by a disposition to share, to participate in giving, or to be communicative in the sense of imparting resources. Its base definition highlights this as being "peculiarly liberal," emphasizing a readiness and willingness to share one's material possessions. It is not merely about verbal communication but about active, benevolent sharing, particularly of wealth or resources. The term implies a generous and unselfish spirit, eager to contribute to the common good or to alleviate the needs of others.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κοινωνικός appears only once in the New Testament, in [[1 Timothy 6:18]]. In this passage, Paul instructs Timothy on how to admonish the wealthy believers within the church: "Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous (κοινωνικούς) and ready to share (μεταδοτικούς)." The context is a direct exhortation to those who are rich in this present age, urging them not to be haughty or to set their hope on uncertain riches, but on God. The command to be κοινωνικούς is thus placed alongside other virtues such as doing good and being rich in good works.
The pairing of κοινωνικούς (generous/willing to communicate/share) with μεταδοτικούς (ready to share/distribute, `{{G3339}}`) intensifies the call to practical, material generosity. While μεταδοτικούς emphasizes the act of giving or distributing, κοινωνικούς highlights the *disposition* or *character* of one who is inclined to share and participate in the needs of others. It speaks to an intrinsic willingness and readiness to engage in benevolent acts with one's resources. This single occurrence powerfully underscores the ethical responsibility of wealth within the Christian community, linking material possessions directly to spiritual character and the outworking of faith.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field surrounding κοινωνικός is rich with terms related to sharing, fellowship, and generosity:
* κοινωνία (`{{G2842}}`): As the noun form, it signifies the act or state of sharing, fellowship, or communion. κοινωνικός describes one who embodies this κοινωνία in a practical, material sense.
* κοινωνός (`{{G2844}}`): The partner or sharer. κοινωνικός describes the quality of being such a person, particularly in the realm of giving.
* μεταδίδωμι (`{{G3330}}`) / μεταδοτικός (`{{G3339}}`): To give a share of, to impart / ready to impart. These terms emphasize the act of distributing, complementing the disposition implied by κοινωνικός.
* ἀγαθουργέω (`{{G18}}`): To do good, to be beneficent. Being κοινωνικός is a specific and vital way of doing good.
* πλουτέω (`{{G4147}}`): To be rich. The instruction in [[1 Timothy 6:18]] is specifically directed at those who are πλουτέω in this world.
* φιλανθρωπία (`{{G5363}}`): Love for mankind, benevolence. The disposition of κοινωνικός is a manifestation of such love.
* Concepts such as Christian stewardship, liberality, beneficence, and practical charity are all closely intertwined with the meaning and application of κοινωνικός. It speaks to a generosity that flows from a heart connected to the communal life of faith and the needs of others.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κοινωνικός is profound, particularly given its singular occurrence in a passage instructing the wealthy.
1. **Divine Character and Imitation:** God Himself is the ultimate giver ([[John 3:16]], [[Romans 8:32]]). To be κοινωνικός is to reflect the very nature of God, who generously shares His blessings, including life itself, with humanity. Believers are called to emulate this divine attribute.
2. **Stewardship of Resources:** The term underscores a core principle of Christian stewardship: that material wealth is not an end in itself, nor is it for selfish accumulation, but a trust from God to be managed for His glory and the good of others. Being κοινωνικός means recognizing oneself as a steward, not an owner, of possessions.
3. **Practical Love and Fellowship:** Generosity is a tangible expression of love for one's neighbor ([[Matthew 22:39]]) and a vital component of Christian κοινωνία. The early church exemplified this by sharing their possessions ([[Acts 2:44-45]], [[Acts 4:32-35]]), demonstrating that κοινωνικός behavior strengthens the bonds of fellowship and mutual dependence within the Body of Christ.
4. **Eschatological Perspective:** The command to be κοινωνικός in [[1 Timothy 6:18]] is immediately followed by the promise that such actions are "storing up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life" ([[1 Timothy 6:19]]). This connects present acts of generosity with eternal reward and genuine, lasting life, contrasting it sharply with the fleeting nature of worldly riches. It imbues acts of giving with eternal significance.
5. **Counter-Cultural Imperative:** In a world often driven by self-interest and accumulation, the call to be κοινωνικός presents a radical, counter-cultural imperative for believers to live out a generous, sharing lifestyle that prioritizes the needs of others and the advancement of God's kingdom.
### Summary
κοινωνικός (`{{G2843}}`) is a powerful Greek adjective, rooted in the concept of κοινωνία (fellowship and sharing), describing a disposition of active, willing generosity, particularly with material possessions. Though appearing only once in the New Testament, in [[1 Timothy 6:18]], its context is profoundly significant: it is an exhortation to wealthy believers to embody a character marked by liberality and a readiness to share their resources. This term highlights Christian stewardship, the practical outworking of love for neighbor, and the strengthening of fellowship within the church. Theologically, being κοινωνικός reflects the giving nature of God, serves as a means of laying up eternal treasure, and stands as a vital expression of faith in a world often consumed by self-interest.
TRV