The Fellowship of the Holy Ghost

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
 
My impression as to this concluding desire of the Apostle is, that he had those who were not going on well in view. This may seem at first sight strange to some. But we shall find on examination that the desire that the “fellowship of the Holy Ghost” is not added where the saints were going on well; I mean in the epistles written by the Apostle.
He made this “ fellowship of (the) Spirit,” the ground of his desires for the Philippians (ch. 2:1). And, as far as I know, these two are the only places where the expression is found in Scripture. My present object is but to draw attention to what is of importance—the difference between the “fellowship” and “unity” of the Spirit of God. Many are probably in the latter in an external way, who much need the former.
I believe this was the case with the Corinthians; for I find the Apostle desiring in his first epistle that they “be perfectly joined together (καταρτίζω) in the same mind, and in the same judgment” (ch. 1:10.) The use of this word is remarkable; for it has the significance of the setting of a disjointed limb; to knit together again. I need hardly refer to the dislocated state in which they were at Corinth, yet, at the same time, they remained externally in unity; just as the unity of my human body would remain, even were a limb or limbs out of joint, or not in healthy articulation.
When we reach the close of the second epistle we find his desire again expressed by the words, “And this also we wish, your perfection,” or rather, “your recovery from dislocation” (κατάρτισις). Then he concludes with the desire, “The grace of the (not “our,” as is frequently said) Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost (be) with you all. Amen.”
The reason I take to be this: they were externally in the “unity of the Spirit;” but they needed, and had not amongst them that which he here prays that they might have— “the fellowship of the Holy Ghost.”
This is the more remarkable when we examine his other epistles, where he concludes with the desire, as in Philippians, “The grace of our Lord Jesus (be) with you all. Amen.” He need not add that for the “fellowship of the Holy Ghost,” for it was brightly seen in their midst in its precious workings. Where more fully!
So in 1 Thessalonians, where there was much of the vigor and freshness of divine life, he closes by “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ (be) with you.” So in the second epistle desiring it for them “all.” Yet in all (see also Philemon) he does not ask for what was there, only doing so in his second letter to the Corinthians, just because it was not there!
I think it will be found that there is a lesson here for us all. Many may be amongst us who may be-nay, are, doubtless—in the “unity of the Spirit” outwardly, but who need as much as those at Corinth to have the divine “fellowship of the Holy Ghost.”
There may be also a similar distinction between the “Lord’s Table” and the “Lord’s Supper.” But I do not dwell on this.
I conclude, therefore, that this desire is used with reference to those who are not going on well, and is omitted where the Apostle’s heart can see the divine fellowship of the Spirit working in its freshness amongst His people.