μετοχή

sharing, partnership, fellowship

Definition

μετοχή (metochē) refers to a state of sharing, partnership, or fellowship, emphasizing active participation and commonality. In its single New Testament occurrence, it specifically denotes a partnership or sharing in a common enterprise or condition, carrying a strong sense of mutual involvement. The word implies more than mere association; it suggests a joined participation where parties share in something together, whether positive or negative. This concept of shared participation can apply to spiritual, moral, or practical alliances.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in 2 Corinthians 6:14. Here, the Apostle Paul employs it in a rhetorical question to argue against forming partnerships between believers and unbelievers, framing it as an incompatible sharing or fellowship. The context is a warning against being 'unequally yoked,' where μετοχή highlights the profound incompatibility of shared spiritual life or moral enterprise between light and darkness, Christ and Belial.

Etymology

Derived from the verb μετέχω (metechō, G3348), meaning 'to share in' or 'participate.' It is formed from the preposition μετά (meta, 'with') and the verb ἔχω (echō, 'to have'), literally conveying the idea of 'having with' or 'holding jointly.' This root emphasizes joint possession and active participation, a meaning fully carried into the noun μετοχή.

Semantic Range

μετοχή is theologically significant as it underpins the biblical concept of covenant partnership and separation. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, it critically defines the nature of the believer's relationship with God and the world, excluding partnerships that compromise spiritual identity. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by clarifying that Christian fellowship (κοινωνία, koinōnia) with God requires a deliberate absence of shared participation (μετοχή) with opposing spiritual forces, highlighting a theology of holiness and distinct calling.

In the Greco-Roman world, partnerships (μετοχή) were common in business, religious guilds, and social contracts, implying binding mutual obligations. Paul's use would resonate with an audience familiar with the serious commitments such partnerships entailed. His application spiritualizes this common cultural concept, transferring it to the realm of faith and morality, where the stakes are eternal.

κοινωνία (koinōnia, G2842) — emphasizes communion, fellowship, and generous sharing, often with a positive, spiritual connotation. κοινωνία is broader and more commonly used for Christian fellowship, while μετοχή in its NT usage specifically highlights the state of being partners in a shared condition, used here in a negative, warning context.

Word Details

Scripture References