In the New Testament, the term "fellow-workers" is used to describe individuals who labor together in the ministry of the Gospel. This concept is integral to the early Christian community, emphasizing collaboration, unity, and shared purpose in the mission of spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Biblical References

The Apostle Paul frequently uses the term "fellow-workers" to refer to his companions in ministry. In Romans 16:3, Paul writes, "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus" . Prisca (or Priscilla) and Aquila are notable examples of a husband-and-wife team who worked alongside Paul, demonstrating the importance of partnership in ministry.

In 1 Corinthians 3:9, Paul expands on the concept of being fellow-workers with God: "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building" . Here, Paul underscores the divine partnership in which believers participate, highlighting that their labor is not merely human effort but a cooperative endeavor with God Himself.

Paul also mentions other individuals as fellow-workers, such as Timothy in Romans 16:21: "Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow countrymen" . Timothy, a young pastor and close associate of Paul, exemplifies the mentoring and discipleship aspect of being fellow-workers in the faith.

Characteristics of Fellow-workers

1. Unity in Purpose: Fellow-workers share a common goal of advancing the Gospel. This unity is not just organizational but spiritual, rooted in a shared commitment to Christ and His mission.

2. Diversity of Roles: The New Testament illustrates that fellow-workers come from various backgrounds and possess different gifts. This diversity enriches the ministry and allows for a more comprehensive approach to evangelism and discipleship.

3. Mutual Support: Fellow-workers provide encouragement and support to one another. In Philippians 2:25, Paul refers to Epaphroditus as "my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier" , indicating a relationship of mutual support and shared struggle.

4. Sacrificial Service: The work of fellow-workers often involves personal sacrifice. In Colossians 4:11, Paul mentions Jesus, who is called Justus, as one of his fellow-workers for the kingdom of God, noting that they have been a comfort to him . This highlights the personal cost and dedication involved in their service.

Theological Significance

The concept of fellow-workers is deeply theological, reflecting the communal nature of the Church as the Body of Christ. It emphasizes that the work of the Gospel is not a solitary endeavor but a collective mission that involves the entire community of believers. This partnership extends beyond human collaboration to include divine participation, as believers are co-laborers with God in His redemptive work.

Practical Implications

For contemporary Christians, the example of fellow-workers in the New Testament serves as a model for ministry today. It encourages believers to seek partnerships in ministry, value the diverse gifts within the Church, and commit to the shared mission of proclaiming the Gospel. The call to be fellow-workers is a call to active participation in the life and mission of the Church, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual edification.4904. sunergos -- a fellow worker
... Word Origin from sun and the same as ergon Definition a fellow worker NASB Word
Usage fellow worker (6), fellow workers (6), workers (1). a fellow worker. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4904.htm - 7k

As his Fellow-Workers
... needs to have the word brought to him and taken home: We are God's fellowworkers.'
How much it ... They are equally God's workmanship and God's fellow-workers. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xxiv as his fellow-workers.htm

God's Fellow-Workers
... CORINTHIANS (To II Corinthians, Chap. V) GOD'S FELLOW-WORKERS. 'Labourers
together with God.'"1 Corinthians 3:9. The characteristic ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/gods fellow-workers.htm

Fellow-Workers with Christ. December 27.
... Fellow-workers with Christ. December 27. To abolish the superstition, the
misrule, the vice, the misery of this world. That is what ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /fellow-workers with christ december 27.htm

First Sunday in Lent
... 2. He calls the Corinthians co-workers, as in First 1 Corinthians 3, 9, where he
puts it: "We are God's fellow-workers; ye are God's husbandry, God's building ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday in lent.htm

The Right to Live with the People of My Choice
... same time, my experience on the foreign field leads me to the conclusion that it
takes a good deal more grace to live happily with one's fellow workers on the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 9 the right to.htm

Introduction
... love throughout the world, I lovingly offer these meditations, with the fervent
prayer that God, the Great Worker, may make us true Fellow-Workers with Himself ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/introduction.htm

Colossians iv. 5, 6
... bestows a common praise on all, having already spoken that of each one in particular;
"who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the ...
/.../homily xi colossians iv 5.htm

1872-1874. Letter from Rev. AMW Christopher --Letter from Gulf of ...
... "On board 'Circassian,' Gulf of St. Lawrence, May 5th, 1873. "MY DEAR FELLOW-WORKERS,"
Hitherto our blessed experience has been that 'The beloved of the Lord ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter v 1872-1874 letter from.htm

A New Agency Needed
... There and then I asked Him for twenty-four fellow-workers, two for each of eleven
inland provinces which were without a missionary, and two for Mongolia; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a retrospect/chapter xviii a new agency.htm

The Lord's Prayer
... irresistible Fate, but a Father who delights in the love of His children, who wishes
to shape them into His own likeness, and make them fellow-workers with Him ...
/.../kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon ix the lords prayer.htm

Fellowworkers (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fellowworkers (1 Occurrence). ... These only are my fellowworkers
unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. (KJV). ...
/f/fellowworkers.htm - 6k

Fellow-workers (6 Occurrences)
Fellow-workers. Fellowworkers, Fellow-workers. Fellow-workman . Multi-Version
Concordance ... Fellowworkers, Fellow-workers. Fellow-workman . Reference Bible
/f/fellow-workers.htm - 8k

Workers (76 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Romans 16:3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellowworkers in Christ Jesus,
(WEB ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). ... 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellowworkers. ...
/w/workers.htm - 28k

Justus (3 Occurrences)
... But among these Jewish Christians, to such dimensions had this defection grown that
Aristarchus, Mark and JJ alone were the apostle's fellow-workers unto the ...
/j/justus.htm - 12k

Fellow (166 Occurrences)
... Romans 16:3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellowworkers in Christ Jesus, (WEB WEY
ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). ... 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellowworkers. ...
/f/fellow.htm - 42k

Apollos (11 Occurrences)
... the petty spirit of those who loved faction more than truth, who saw not that both
he and Apollos came among them as "God's fellow-workers" (1 Corinthians 3:9 ...
/a/apollos.htm - 16k

Labored (35 Occurrences)
... I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the
Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellowworkers, whose names ...
/l/labored.htm - 17k

Lordship (12 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 2 Corinthians 1:24 Not that we have lordship over your faith, but are fellow
workers with you for your joy. For you stand firm in faith. (WEB ASV). ...
/l/lordship.htm - 10k

Loyal (15 Occurrences)
... I beg you also, true yokefellow, help these women, for they labored with me in the
Good News, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellowworkers, whose names ...
/l/loyal.htm - 11k

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