Fellow—
Fellow-this or fellow-that... is someone we might say is truly “in the same boat”. By choice or not, we’re linked together.
Read Time: 2 minutes
You may have had it pointed out in a Bible class, or read somewhere, or noticed yourself, that there are a number of “fellow-” terms in the New Testament. Fellow-this or fellow-that. Translations vary, so it may be more or less apparent in the version you use.
What we see translated “fellow-” comes from a Greek preposition that conveys “union”, or “united with”. There are other prepositions in Greek that convey being “with” someone, but this one is much stronger than others, which simply mean “nearby” or “accompanying”. A “fellow-whatever” is someone we might say is truly “in the same boat”. By choice or not, we’re linked together.
When we understand this, the “fellow-“ terms become quite important, worth careful consideration.
The first one we encounter in the New Testament is fellow servant. Literally this means a co-slave, being owned by the same master. Jesus uses it in a couple parables aimed at us, his followers, and how we treat each other—our fellow servants. Paul uses it a couple times in clear affection for people he worked with. And interestingly, twice in Revelation the angel speaking to John calls himself a fellow servant with John. Ever thought of yourself that way? A partner with angels! Serving the same master.
A fellow disciple is a co-learner. Isn’t that a great way to think of us? You, me, all of us, learning together.
Paul refers to some fellow prisoners, literally co-captives. These are people who supported him when he was in prison, voluntarily joining him. Seems to me this goes well beyond being a fellow servant. Makes me wonder if I would have the guts to give up my normal life to be with somebody in Paul’s situation.
Easier to grasp, the most common “fellow-“ is a fellow worker (sometimes translated helper—but that seems too weak). Literally a co-laborer. This is what we are together, isn’t it? Unless we’ve decided to let someone else do the work.
One time, Paul calls us fellow citizens, literally co-townsmen (citizens of the same city). He says we are no longer strangers and foreigners, now in Christ we are “fellow citizens with the saints”. Recall that in the Roman world, citizenship was a very big deal. The change in status, becoming fellow citizens, conveys both tremendous privilege and crucial responsibility.
Also one time, Paul refers to a yokefellow (“companion” in some translations—again too weak). To be co-yoked makes me think of Jesus calling us to take on his yoke, to be yoked together with him. But Paul uses it of himself and another believer. Clearly he’s meaning they are fellow workers, but it seems to me this goes a step beyond. Twice he calls someone a fellow soldier, which again seems to go beyond just working together. Soldiers who go to war together share a powerful bond.
Did you notice? I haven’t supplied any references! I’m hoping you’ll follow up and do your own investigation into these terms. The togetherness conveyed is important, worth spending some time with.
We serve together, we learn together, we work together. Some of us, some of the time, may be called to do even more—to (spiritually) be yoked together, imprisoned together, go to war together.
We are bound together because we have become citizens of the same Kingdom. Bound. Together. Yes, we may have difficulties with one another sometimes. But those things don’t alter or weaken our connection as fellow servants, fellow workers, fellow learners. We’re in this together.
Love, Paul