The concept of participation in the Bible is deeply rooted in the idea of fellowship, communion, and sharing in both the sufferings and the glory of Christ. Participation is not merely a passive experience but an active engagement in the life and mission of the Christian faith.

Participation in the Divine Nature

The Apostle Peter speaks of participation in the divine nature as a transformative process for believers. In 2 Peter 1:4 , it is written, "Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." This participation is a call to holiness and a life that reflects God's character.

Participation in Christ's Sufferings

The New Testament frequently addresses the theme of sharing in Christ's sufferings. The Apostle Paul, in Philippians 3:10 , expresses his desire "to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death." This participation is seen as a privilege and a means of growing closer to Christ, understanding His sacrifice, and being conformed to His image.

Participation in the Body of Christ

Believers are called to participate in the body of Christ, which is the Church. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 , Paul writes, "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf." This passage highlights the unity and communal aspect of the Christian faith, where believers share in the sacrament of communion as a symbol of their unity with Christ and each other.

Participation in the Gospel

Participation in the gospel involves actively engaging in the mission of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. In Philippians 1:5 , Paul commends the Philippians for their "partnership in the gospel from the first day until now." This participation is characterized by support, prayer, and active involvement in evangelism and discipleship.

Participation in Spiritual Gifts

The New Testament teaches that believers are given spiritual gifts for the edification of the Church. In 1 Corinthians 12:7 , it is stated, "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." Participation in spiritual gifts involves using one's God-given abilities to serve others and build up the body of Christ.

Participation in the Sufferings of Others

Christians are called to bear one another's burdens and participate in the sufferings of others. Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This participation is an expression of love and compassion, reflecting the heart of Christ in caring for those in need.

Participation in Eternal Life

Finally, participation in eternal life is the ultimate promise for believers. In 1 John 5:11-12 , it is declared, "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life." Participation in eternal life is a present reality and a future hope for those who are in Christ.

In summary, participation in the biblical sense encompasses a wide range of experiences and responsibilities for believers, all centered around a deep, abiding relationship with Christ and His Church.2841. koinoneo -- to have a share of
... See 2842 (). Word Origin from koinonos Definition to have a share of NASB Word
Usage contributing (1), participates (1), share (4), shared (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2841.htm - 7k

To the Same
... VI. Everything that is participates in absolute Being [30] through the fact that
it exists. In order to be something it participates in something else. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/boethius/the theological tractates/to the same.htm

Concerning "Perfect" and "One".
... For there is no single existing being, which does not participate in the one, but
as every number participates in an unit, and one dual and one decade is ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput xiii concerning perfect and.htm

Concerning "Perfect" and "One. "
... For there is nothing in the world without a share in the One; and, just as all number
participates in unity (and we speak of one couple, one dozen, one half ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter xiii concerning perfect and.htm

Whether it Belongs to God Alone to Create?
... It happens, however, that something participates the proper action of another, not
by its own power, but instrumentally, inasmuch as it acts by the power of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it belongs to god.htm

Why the Hierarchs Amongst Men are Called Angels.
... For example, the rank of the holy Cherubim participates in higher wisdom and knowledge,
but the Divisions of the Beings beneath them, participate, they also ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput xii why the hierarchs.htm

Whether God Has Knowledge of Things that are Not?
... Reply to Objection 2: Since God is very being everything is, in so far as it
participates in the likeness of God; as everything is hot in so far as it ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether god has knowledge of.htm

Whether the First Man's Pride Consisted in his Coveting God's ...
... The other is a likeness of imitation, such as is possible for a creature in reference
to God, in so far as the creature participates somewhat of God's likeness ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the first mans pride.htm

Whether Grace is in the Essence of the Soul as in a Subject, or in ...
... For as man in his intellective powers participates in the Divine knowledge through
the virtue of faith, and in his power of will participates in the Divine ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether grace is in the.htm

Eighth Tractate. On the Nature and Source of Evil.
... respects all, while yet not confused in the mass but still distinct, apart to the
extent that any participant in the Intellectual-Principle participates not in ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/eighth tractate on the nature.htm

Concerning Good, Light, Beauty, Love, Ecstasy, Jealousy, and that ...
... For, with regard to all created things, by dividing them into participations and
participants, we call beautiful that which participates in Beauty; but beauty ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput iv concerning good light.htm

Participates (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Participates (2 Occurrences). ... (WEY). 2 John 1:11 for
he who welcomes him participates in his evil works. (WEB NAS). ...
/p/participates.htm - 7k

Participation (9 Occurrences)

/p/participation.htm - 9k

Welcomes (5 Occurrences)
... with them." The Good News According to John (WEB NIV). 2 John 1:11 for he
who welcomes him participates in his evil works. (WEB NIV). ...
/w/welcomes.htm - 7k

Toils (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 16:16 I beseech you, on your part, to show deference to such men,
and to every one who participates in their work and toils hard. (WEY). ...
/t/toils.htm - 8k

Deference (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 16:16 I beseech you, on your part, to show deference to such men,
and to every one who participates in their work and toils hard. (WEY). ...
/d/deference.htm - 7k

Participated (3 Occurrences)

/p/participated.htm - 7k

Beseech (85 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 16:16 I beseech you, on your part, to show deference to such men,
and to every one who participates in their work and toils hard. (WEY). ...
/b/beseech.htm - 31k

Preacher (27 Occurrences)
... To this there are two objections: First, the participle is intransitive; its natural
implication is that of a person who participates in an assembly, not of ...
/p/preacher.htm - 48k

Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)
... To this there are two objections: First, the participle is intransitive; its natural
implication is that of a person who participates in an assembly, not of ...
/e/ecclesiastes.htm - 27k

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