Communion: a brief study of the use of koinonia term in Hellenistic culture and its incorporation to the Christian New Testament and in the Patristic period

Abstract

The term communion, coming from the Latin translation of the Greek word koinonia (κοινωνία) is used as the basis for many concepts in Christianity and, more specifically, in the Catholic tradition. This article aims, althoug very briefly, conduct the study of the term, since its Hellenistic origin and its incorporation, with different nuances, in the Christian tradition. Therefore, in addition to resort to the etymology of the word, briefly covers its use in various environments of ancient Greek culture to raise possible changes in the general concept that the word indicates: communion, participation. Still, aims to through the various uses in the New Testament literature and the Patristic period, the contribution of Christianity to the extension of the concept Hellenistic.