In the context of the Bible, the term "communicate" often extends beyond mere verbal exchange to encompass the sharing of resources, fellowship, and the transmission of spiritual truths. The concept is deeply rooted in the principles of Christian love, community, and stewardship.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Sharing and Fellowship: The New Testament frequently uses the term "communicate" to describe the act of sharing with others, particularly within the Christian community. In Philippians 4:14-15, the Apostle Paul commends the Philippians for their partnership and support in his ministry: "Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only" . Here, "share" is synonymous with "communicate," highlighting the importance of mutual support among believers.

2. Material Support: The act of communicating is also associated with providing for the needs of others. Hebrews 13:16 states, "And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased" . This passage underscores the idea that communication involves tangible acts of kindness and generosity, reflecting God's love through practical means.

3. Spiritual Instruction: Communication in the Bible also pertains to the transmission of spiritual knowledge and wisdom. In Galatians 6:6, Paul instructs, "Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word must share in all good things with his instructor" . This indicates a reciprocal relationship where spiritual and material blessings are exchanged, fostering growth and unity within the body of Christ.

4. Community and Unity: The early church exemplified the principle of communication through their communal living and sharing of resources. Acts 2:44-45 describes this practice: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need" . This model of community life illustrates the depth of communication as a means of building unity and meeting the needs of the church.

Theological Implications

The biblical concept of communication is deeply intertwined with the Christian virtues of love, charity, and unity. It reflects the character of God, who is the ultimate communicator, revealing Himself through creation, Scripture, and the person of Jesus Christ. Believers are called to emulate this divine communication by engaging in acts of love and service, thereby manifesting the gospel in tangible ways.

Practical Application

Christians are encouraged to practice communication by being attentive to the needs of others, both within and outside the church. This involves not only sharing material resources but also offering spiritual encouragement and support. By doing so, believers fulfill the law of Christ, as stated in Galatians 6:2: "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" .

In summary, the biblical understanding of communication encompasses a holistic approach to sharing, encompassing material, spiritual, and communal aspects, all aimed at glorifying God and edifying the body of Christ.1. (v. i.) To share in common; to participate in.

2. (v. i.) To impart; to bestow; to convey; as, to communicate a disease or a sensation; to communicate motion by means of a crank.

3. (v. i.) To make known; to recount; to give; to impart; as, to communicate information to any one.

4. (v. i.) To administer the communion to.

5. (v. i.) To share or participate; to possess or enjoy in common; to have sympathy.

6. (v. i.) To give alms, sympathy, or aid.

7. (v. i.) To have intercourse or to be the means of intercourse; as, to communicate with another on business; to be connected; as, a communicating artery.

8. (v. i.) To partake of the Lord's supper; to commune.

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.

1770. enneuo -- to nod at, ie beckon or communicate by gesture
... to nod at, ie beckon or communicate by gesture. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
enneuo Phonetic Spelling: (en-nyoo'-o) Short Definition: I make a sign to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1770.htm - 6k

394. anatithemi -- to set up, set forth
... Speech: Verb Transliteration: anatithemi Phonetic Spelling: (an-at-ith'-em-ahee)
Short Definition: I lay a case before, impart, communicate, relate Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/394.htm - 6k

2841. koinoneo -- to have a share of
... to have a share of. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: koinoneo Phonetic Spelling:
(koy-no-neh'-o) Short Definition: I share, communicate, have fellowship ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2841.htm - 7k

2843. koinonikos -- ready to impart
... koinonikos Phonetic Spelling: (koy-no-nee-kos') Short Definition: willing to share
Definition: willing to share, sociable, ready to communicate, beneficent. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2843.htm - 6k

4790. sugkoinoneo -- to have fellowship with
... Word Origin from sun and koinoneo Definition to have fellowship with NASB Word Usage
participate (2), share (1). fellowship, communicate with, be partaker of. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4790.htm - 7k

1798. enupnion -- a dream
... 17). 1798 ("a dream") is an ideal time for the Lord to communicate in a
way we easily block in the busyness of life. The Christian ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1798.htm - 7k

412. aneklaletos -- unspeakable
... 412 (from 1 "not" and 1583 , " tell") -- properly, unable to fully describe or report;
impossible to communicate (convey) adequately by words; hence, , (used ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/412.htm - 7k

2842. koinonia -- fellowship
... From koinonos; partnership, ie (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse,
or (pecuniary) benefaction -- (to) communicate(-ation), communion, (contri ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2842.htm - 7k

4323. prosanatithemi -- to lay on besides, hence to undertake ...
... Transliteration: prosanatithemi Phonetic Spelling: (pros-an-at-ith'-ay-mee) Short
Definition: I consult with Definition: I consult with, communicate, impart. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4323.htm - 6k

1989. epistello -- to send a message (by letter)
... write a letter unto. From epi and stello; to enjoin (by writing), ie (genitive case)
to communicate by letter (for any purpose) -- write (a letter, unto). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1989.htm - 6k

Whether it is Lawful to Communicate with Unbelievers?
... OF UNBELIEF IN GENERAL (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful to communicate with
unbelievers? ... Therefore it is lawful to communicate with unbelievers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 2.htm

That it is Profitable to Communicate Often
... THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER III That it is
profitable to Communicate often. The Voice of the Disciple ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter iii that it is.htm

Whether Christ could Communicate to Ministers the Power which He ...
... OF THE CAUSES OF THE SACRAMENTS (TEN ARTICLES) Whether Christ could communicate
to ministers the power which He had in the sacraments? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ could communicate to.htm

How do they that Worthily Communicate in the Lord's Supper Feed ...
... Question 170: How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord's Supper
feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein? Answer: As ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 170 0 0 how do they.htm

Whether it is Lawful, in Matters Purely Corporal, to Communicate ...
... OF COMMUNICATION WITH EXCOMMUNICATED PERSONS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful,
in matters purely corporal, to communicate with an excommunicated person? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful in.htm

Of those who do not Communicate in Africa and Would Go Across Seas ...
... (Greek cviii.) Of those who do not communicate in Africa and would go across seas.
Of those who do not communicate in Africa and would go across seas. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon cv greek cviii of.htm

After the Salutation, the Writer Declares that He Would ...
... Chapter I."After the salutation, the writer declares that he would communicate to
his brethren something of that which he had himself received. [1444] ...
/.../barnabas/the epistle of barnabas /chapter i after the salutation the.htm

That Many Good Gifts are Bestowed Upon those who Communicate ...
... THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER IV That many good gifts are
bestowed upon those who Communicate devoutly. The Voice of the Disciple ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter iv that many good.htm

Of the Signs, Then, by which Men Communicate their Thoughts to one ...
... Book 2 Chapter 4. Of the signs, then, by which men communicate their
thoughts to one another? 4. Of the signs, then, by which ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 4 of the signs.htm

That He who is About to Communicate with Christ Ought to Prepare ...
... THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER XII That he who is about
to Communicate with Christ ought to prepare himself with great diligence. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xii that he who.htm

Communicate (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To impart; to bestow; to convey; as, to communicate a disease or
a sensation; to communicate motion by means of a crank. ...
/c/communicate.htm - 10k

Impart (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) To bestow a share or portion of; to give, grant, or communicate; to allow
another to partake in; as, to impart food to the poor; the sun imparts warmth ...
/i/impart.htm - 11k

Commune (7 Occurrences)
... COMMUNE; COMMUNICATE; COMMUNICATION. ... To communicate is to impart something
to another, so that it becomes common to giver and receiver. ...
/c/commune.htm - 10k

Communication (8 Occurrences)
... COMMUNE; COMMUNICATE; COMMUNICATION. ... To communicate is to impart something
to another, so that it becomes common to giver and receiver. ...
/c/communication.htm - 10k

Inform (24 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To communicate knowledge to; to make known to; to acquaint; to advise; to
instruct; to tell; to notify; to enlighten; -- usually followed by of. ...
/i/inform.htm - 14k

Inspire (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To infuse into the mind; to communicate to the spirit; to convey, as by
a divine or supernatural influence; to disclose preternaturally; to produce in ...
/i/inspire.htm - 8k

Inspiration (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A supernatural divine influence on the prophets, apostles, or sacred writers,
by which they were qualified to communicate moral or religious truth with ...
/i/inspiration.htm - 57k

Epistles (2 Occurrences)
... The prophet of the Old Testament, if he had anything to communicate, either appeared
in person or sent messengers to speak for him by word of mouth. ...
/e/epistles.htm - 80k

Catch (46 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To communicate to; to fasten upon; as, the fire caught the adjoining building. ...
15. (vi) To spread by, or as by, infecting; to communicate. 16. ...
/c/catch.htm - 22k

Communicated (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Communicate. Multi-Version Concordance
Communicated (8 Occurrences). Luke 2:26 And it was ...
/c/communicated.htm - 9k

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