Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Concept:Partnership, in a biblical context, refers to a cooperative relationship between individuals or groups who share common goals, values, and responsibilities. It is often characterized by mutual support, shared resources, and a commitment to a common purpose. The concept of partnership is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing unity, collaboration, and the collective pursuit of God's will.
Biblical Foundations:The Bible presents numerous examples and teachings on partnership, highlighting its importance in both spiritual and practical aspects of life. One of the earliest examples is found in the creation narrative, where God declares, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper" (
Genesis 2:18). This establishes the foundational principle of partnership in marriage, where husband and wife are called to work together as one.
Partnership in the Early Church:The New Testament provides a vivid picture of partnership within the early Christian community. The believers in the early church exemplified partnership through their shared faith and communal living.
Acts 2:44-45 states, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This passage illustrates the spirit of partnership that characterized the early church, where resources were pooled together to support one another.
Pauline Teachings on Partnership:The Apostle Paul frequently addressed the theme of partnership in his epistles. In
Philippians 1:5 , Paul expresses gratitude for the Philippians' "partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." This partnership was not merely financial support but also a shared commitment to spreading the gospel. Paul further elaborates on the concept in
1 Corinthians 3:9 , stating, "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building." Here, Paul emphasizes the collaborative nature of ministry, where believers work together as co-laborers in God's service.
Spiritual Partnership:Partnership extends beyond physical and material collaboration to include spiritual dimensions. Believers are called to partner with one another in prayer, encouragement, and accountability.
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to "spur one another on to love and good deeds" and to "not neglect meeting together." This underscores the importance of spiritual partnership in fostering growth and perseverance in the faith.
Partnership with God:The ultimate partnership is with God Himself. Believers are invited to participate in God's redemptive work in the world.
2 Corinthians 6:1 states, "As God’s fellow workers, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain." This partnership with God involves aligning one's life with His purposes and being active participants in His mission.
Practical Implications:Partnership in the biblical sense has practical implications for various areas of life, including marriage, family, church, and community. In marriage, partnership involves mutual love, respect, and support, as outlined in
Ephesians 5:21-33 . Within the church, partnership manifests in the sharing of spiritual gifts and resources for the edification of the body of Christ (
1 Corinthians 12:4-7). In the broader community, believers are called to be salt and light, working together to bring about positive change and reflect God's love (
Matthew 5:13-16).
Challenges and Responsibilities:While partnership offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges. Differences in opinion, personality, and approach can lead to conflict. The Bible provides guidance for navigating these challenges, emphasizing the need for humility, forgiveness, and reconciliation (
Colossians 3:12-14). Believers are called to bear with one another in love and to strive for unity in the Spirit (
Ephesians 4:2-3).
In summary, partnership is a vital biblical principle that encompasses collaboration, unity, and shared purpose. It is foundational to relationships, ministry, and the believer's walk with God, offering a model for living out the Christian faith in community.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The state or condition of being a partner; as, to be in partnership with another; to have partnership in the fortunes of a family or a state.
2. (n.) A division or sharing among partners; joint possession or interest.
3. (n.) An alliance or association of persons for the prosecution of an undertaking or a business on joint account; a company; a firm; a house; as, to form a partnership.
4. (n.) A contract between two or more competent persons for joining together their money, goods, labor, and skill, or any or all of them, under an understanding that there shall be a communion of profit between them, and for the purpose of carrying on a legal trade, business, or adventure.
5. (n.) See Fellowship, n., 6.
Greek
3352. metoche -- sharing... sharing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: metoche Phonetic Spelling:
(met-okh-ay') Short Definition: sharing,
partnership, fellowship Definition
...2842. koinonia -- fellowship
... koinonia Phonetic Spelling: (koy-nohn-ee'-ah) Short Definition: participation,
communion, fellowship Definition: (lit:partnership) (a) contributory help...
3887. parameno -- to remain beside or near
... close-alongside" and 3306 , "abide, remain") -- properly, remain close-beside (near),
ie ("continue alongside") in a relationship (partnership); a " remaining...
Library
The BestPartnership.
... Money The BestPartnership.... It gets all the good qualities of its partners as
long as it stays in thepartnership, on good working terms....
ThePartnership of Service.
... The Holy Spirit ThePartnership of Service.... The two are partners in service. This
partnership belongs peculiarly in the world-wide service of winning men....
Certainty of Our Justification.
... same time is and continues righteous, finds its reason and ground in the fact that
God puts this poor and miserable and lost sinner intopartnership with an...
God's Fellow-Workers
... and co-operation with God; and as my text puts it, in what is almost a presumptuous
phrase, they are 'labourers together with Him.' Thatpartnership of co...
Whether Matrimony is Fittingly Defined in the Text?
... [*The definition alluded to is as follows: "Marriage is the marital union of man
and woman involving living together in undividedpartnership."] For it is...
Quiet Talks with World Winners
... The Holy Spirit. The Last Talk Together. ThePartnership of Service. The Power That
Never Fails.... Money. Limitations. The BestPartnership. Jesus' Teaching....
The Fellowship of Prayer
... themselves between the feasts. We do not live from feast to famine when we
enter into apartnership with Christ in prayer. We are not...
And Now, as this Book is Drawing to a Close...
... a close, I will whisper in the reader's ear a horrible suspicion that has sometimes
haunted me: the suspicion that Hudge and Gudge are secretly inpartnership....
Genealogy
... married. ; she died 2/1841. + Thomas Winkworth. A navy surgeon, & afterwards
a silk manufacturer inpartnership with his brother Henry. + son. + son....
What Good Does it do Me that He Declares on his Oath that it was...
... it to be from the pain which his wounds give me), he has taken care that I should
have none of my contemporaries to bring me honor by apartnership in praise...
Thesaurus
Partnership (4 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) The state or condition of being a partner; as, to be in
partnership with
another; to have
partnership in the fortunes of a family or a state.
...Fellowship (114 Occurrences)
... intercourse. 3. (n.) A state of being together; companionship;partnership;
association; hence, confederation; joint interest. 4...
Partner (8 Occurrences)
... together. (c) One who shares as a member of apartnership in the management, or
in the gains and losses, of a business....partnership. SeePartnership....
Society (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The relationship of men to one another when associated in any way;
companionship; fellowship; company. 2. (n.) Connection; participation;partnership....
Partners (9 Occurrences)
Kindly (57 Occurrences)
... For seeing that the Gentiles have been admitted in topartnership with the Jews
in their spiritual blessings, they in turn are under an obligation to render...
Oxen (176 Occurrences)
... asses. For what is there in common between righteousness and lawlessness?
Or whatpartnership has light with darkness? (WEY). Hebrews...
Obligation (17 Occurrences)
... For seeing that the Gentiles have been admitted in topartnership with the Jews
in their spiritual blessings, they in turn are under an obligation to render...
Owed (10 Occurrences)
... For seeing that the Gentiles have been admitted in topartnership with the Jews
in their spiritual blessings, they in turn are under an obligation to render...
James (40 Occurrences)
... the apostle. He was one of the twelve. He was by trade a fisherman, in
partnership with Peter (Matthew 20:20; 27:56). With John...
Resources
What sort of interfaith ministries are appropriate? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be unequally yoked? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2:9)? | GotQuestions.orgPartnership: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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