It speaks of friends and guests, of comradeship in struggle. It means business, but is not so intimidating as corporation or so exclusive as limited . It has military overtones that might be unpleasant, but is less fearsome that regiment or battalion . It is properly used of groups of performing artists, of members of certain church groups, or even of widgeons. Company is specific but flexible, strong but welcoming.
Company is part of our religious language.
Various English bibles refer to the company of prophets, to the company of the apostles, or the company of early Christians. Company is also an important Jesuit word. St. Ignatius strongly wanted his group to be known as the Company of Jesus, recalling both his own military background and the military metaphor for following Christ in the struggle of good against evil. A company is not a casual association, but a group of persons joined in common work or purpose or achievement. In the American Jesuit experience, this company reaches beyond the Society of Jesus, even beyond the collaborators in Jesuit ministry.