The term "commune" in the biblical context generally refers to the act of conversing or communicating intimately, often with God or among individuals. It involves sharing thoughts, feelings, and spiritual insights, and is a significant aspect of the relational dynamics depicted in the Scriptures.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the concept of communing is often associated with deep, personal interaction with God. For instance, in Genesis 18:33, Abraham is described as having a conversation with the Lord regarding the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. This interaction is a profound example of communing with God, where Abraham speaks openly and honestly, interceding for the righteous within the city.

The Psalms frequently reflect the idea of communing with God. Psalm 4:4 states, "Be angry, yet do not sin; on your bed, search your heart and be still." This verse suggests a form of internal communion, where one reflects and communicates with God in silence and introspection.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of communing is often seen in the context of fellowship among believers and with Christ. The Last Supper is a prime example, where Jesus communes with His disciples, sharing not only a meal but also deep spiritual truths. In Luke 22:19 , Jesus says, "And He took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.'" This act of communion is foundational for Christian practice, symbolizing unity with Christ and among believers.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of communion in the life of the church. In 1 Corinthians 10:16 , he writes, "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" Here, Paul underscores the spiritual communion that occurs during the Lord's Supper, highlighting the shared participation in the life and sacrifice of Jesus.

Spiritual Significance

Communing with God is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, involving prayer, meditation, and the study of Scripture. It is through this intimate communication that believers grow in their relationship with God, gain spiritual insight, and find guidance for their lives. The practice of communing with God is encouraged throughout the Bible, as seen in James 4:8 , "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you."

In addition to personal communion with God, the Bible also emphasizes the importance of communal fellowship among believers. Acts 2:42 describes the early church as devoted to "the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This communal aspect of faith is essential for spiritual growth, mutual encouragement, and the building up of the body of Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of communing encompasses both the personal and communal aspects of faith. It involves intimate communication with God and fellowship with other believers, serving as a cornerstone for spiritual growth and unity within the Christian community.1. (v. i.) To converse together with sympathy and confidence; to interchange sentiments or feelings; to take counsel.

2. (v. i.) To receive the communion; to partake of the Eucharist or Lord's supper.

3. (n.) Communion; sympathetic intercourse or conversation between friends.

4. (n.) The commonalty; the common people.

5. (n.) A small territorial district in France under the government of a mayor and municipal council; also, the inhabitants, or the government, of such a district. See Arrondissement.

6. (n.) Absolute municipal self-government.

COMMUNE; COMMUNICATE; COMMUNICATION

ko-mun', komun'-i-kat, ko-mu-ni-ka'-shun: To commune is to converse confidentially and sympathetically. It is represented in both Hebrew and Greek by several words literally signifying to speak (compare Luke 6:11, dialaleo; also Luke 22:4 Acts 24:26, homileo). To communicate is to impart something to another, so that it becomes common to giver and receiver. In 1 Timothy 6:18, "willing to communicate" (the Revised Version, margin "sympathize"), represents a single word koinonikoi, and refers to the habit of sharing with others either sympathy or property. the Revised Version (British and American) gives "companionships" for homiliai in 1 Corinthians 15:33 (the King James Version "communications").

See also COMMUNION.

3656. homileo -- to consort with, hence to converse with
... homileo Phonetic Spelling: (hom-il-eh'-o) Short Definition: I associate with, talk
with Definition: I consort with, associate with, commune with; particularly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3656.htm - 6k

4814. sullaleo -- to talk together
... confer, talk with, commune. From sun and laleo; to talk together, ie Converse --
commune (confer, talk) with, speak among. see GREEK sun. see GREEK laleo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4814.htm - 6k

1255. dialaleo -- to discuss
... to discuss. From dia and laleo; to talk throughout a company, ie Converse or (genitive
case) publish -- commune, noise abroad. see GREEK dia. see GREEK laleo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1255.htm - 6k

5608. saphar -- to count, recount, relate
... commune, account; declare, number, penknife, reckon, scribe, show forth,
speak,. A primitive root; properly, to score with a mark ...
/hebrew/5608.htm - 6k

7878. siach -- to muse, complain, talk (of)
... commune, complain, declare, meditate, muse, pray, speak, talk with. A primitive
root; to ponder, ie (by implication) converse (with ...
/hebrew/7878.htm - 6k

1696. dabar -- to speak
... answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give,. A primitive
root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively ...
/hebrew/1696.htm - 6k

1697. dabar -- speech, word
... affair, answer, X any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause,
certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X commune(-ication), + concern(-ing ...
/hebrew/1697.htm - 8k

559. amar -- to utter, say
... with great latitude) -- answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify,
challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare ...
/hebrew/559.htm - 7k

To the Eight of War Chosen by the Commune of Florence, at Whose ...
... LETTERS TO THE EIGHT OF WAR CHOSEN BY THE COMMUNE OF FLORENCE, AT WHOSE
INSTANCE THE SAINT WENT TO POPE GREGORY XI. In the Name of ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to the eight of war.htm

Article xi: of Confession.
... The canon speaks only thus: If any enter the Church and be found never to commune,
let them be admonished that, if they do not commune, they come to repentance ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 14 article xi of.htm

On the Annunciation of Our Lady
... How we must commune with God and commit ourselves to Him; that we may conceive God
and bear Him in our spirits, souls, and bodies, after the example of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon ix on the annunciation.htm

Reason of Writing the Epistle.
... Having been informed of your godly [632] love, so well-ordered, I rejoiced greatly,
and determined to commune with you in the faith of Jesus Christ. ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the magnesians/chapter i reason of writing the.htm

Two Scenes.
... Parents should often commune with the Lord; especially the mother, with her many
cares and perplexities, if she would do justice to the little ones entrusted ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter i two scenes.htm

The Fall of the Empire and of the Papacy
... The Guelf party in Rome had already elected Charles as senator, or head of
the civic commune, in opposition to the Ghibelline Manfred. ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xvi the fall of.htm

Subject Index
... language. Committee of Revision, [2427]1542-8 AD, [2428]1559 AD, [2429]1661
AD. Commune Sanctorum, [2430]Commune Sanctorum. Concordat ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/subject index.htm

The Liturgical Standards of the Roman Church.
... the months and days of the civil year; the annually recurring death-days of saints
being regarded as their celestial birth-days, (c) The Commune Sanctorum is ...
/.../ 35 the liturgical standards.htm

The Peace Following the Persecution.
... concerning Helenus and Firmilianus, and all those in Cilicia and Cappadocia and
Galatia and the neighboring nations, saying that he would not commune with them ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter v the peace following the.htm

The American Experiments, 1734-1762.
... For a motto they took the words: "In commune oramus, in commune laboramus, in commune
patimur, in commune gaudeamus"; ie, together we pray, together we labour ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiv the american experiments.htm

Commune (7 Occurrences)
...COMMUNE; COMMUNICATE; COMMUNICATION. ko-mun', komun'-i-kat, ko-mu-ni-ka'-shun:
To commune is to converse confidentially and sympathetically. ...
/c/commune.htm - 10k

Communicate (7 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To partake of the Lord's supper; to commune. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. COMMUNE; COMMUNICATE; COMMUNICATION. ...
/c/communicate.htm - 10k

Converse (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To keep company; to hold intimate intercourse;
to commune; -- followed by with. 2. (vi) To engage ...
/c/converse.htm - 8k

Communication (8 Occurrences)
...COMMUNE; COMMUNICATE; COMMUNICATION. ko-mun', komun'-i-kat, ko-mu-ni-ka'-shun:
To commune is to converse confidentially and sympathetically. ...
/c/communication.htm - 10k

Communed (20 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Commune. Multi-Version Concordance
Communed (20 Occurrences). Luke 6:11 And they were filled ...
/c/communed.htm - 12k

Mercy-seat (23 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from
above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of ...
/m/mercy-seat.htm - 16k

Privily (15 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Psalms 64:5 They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune
of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them? (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/p/privily.htm - 12k

Beds (22 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Psalms 4:4 Tremble, and sin not; commune with your own heart upon
your bed, and be still. Selah (See RSV NIV). Psalms 18 ...
/b/beds.htm - 13k

Commotions (1 Occurrence)

/c/commotions.htm - 6k

Cherub (21 Occurrences)
... 25:17-20; 26:1, 31). God promised to commune with Moses "from between the
cherubim" (25:22). This expression was afterwards used ...
/c/cherub.htm - 18k

What is the Green Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What can we learn from the prayers that Jesus prayed? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about defilement? | GotQuestions.org

Commune: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus