An heir is someone who inherits something, or one who is entitled to a future inheritance. It is common practive for inheritance to be divided among the number of children so that each shall have a portion to receive. But when we talk about “fellow heirs” the situation is quite different. Fellow heir or join heir means both parties inherit the same thing. The Greek word translated joint heir, coheir, or fellow heir, is synkleronomos.
Biblical usage
In biblical usage, the word has a fairly consistent semantic. Thus, it is also fairly easy to capture its usage. Let’s take a look at a few references.
By faith he lived as a stranger in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;
Hebrews 11.9
In this text Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are said to be fellow heirs of the same promise. It means Isaac did not inherit the promise from his father, nor did Jacob inherit it from Isaac. The three, all three generations, are “joint heirs”!
The same thing is true with the saints and the Lord Jesus Christ. Look at Romans 8.16-17:
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Romans 8.16-17
Notice how Paul laid down his understanding on this matter:
- we are children of God
- as children of God, we are heirs of God
- we are heirs of God in the sense that we are fellow heirs with Christ
In other words, by virtue of their faith in Christ who was appointed heir of all things (see Hebrews 1.2) the saints have a share in His inheritance. They are not given a portion, but whatever Christ possess, they too shall possess. And the Holy Spirit is the guarantee. (see Hebrews 1.13-14)
In Peter’s first epistle, he said this concerning husbands and wives:
7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
1 Peter 3.7
Husbands and wives must learn to live together in a way that is beneficial for their marriage and is pleasing to God. The reason is clear: they are fellow heirs of the grace of life. It means that whatever they put into their marriage will affect both of them.
Practical application
Celebrate God’s blessing with fellow believers. There is no such thing as a self-made Christian: we all succeeded with some help from others. Remember them when God answers your needs and prayer.
Cooperate with your fellow believers. It is not only your prayers and needs that matter, but their also. Pray for one another. Forgive one another. Support one another. Bless one another.
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