• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"The God of love and peace will be with you."

Text: 2 Corinthians 13:11

CONCLUDING ANOTHER LONG EPISTLE

Paul had written another long epistle to help the Corinthian believers with their spiritual problems. He had to come to a conclusion sooner or later. How he concluded 2 Corinthians is insightful.

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete.
Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace;
and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
2 Corinthians 13:11

1. The addressees

a) They were believers in Corinth.

b) Paul continued to address them as “brethren”.

2. “Farewell”

a) This word is a common word used in greetings.

b) At the beginning of an epistle… it may be translated “rejoice”.

c) At the end of an epistle… it may be translated “farewell”.

d) The essential meaning is to be borne in mind in both instances. It is a call to rejoice.

3. “Become complete”

a) The word here has a number of nuances:

i) Be mended

ii) Be restored

b) This was certainly a needed word in the conclusion.

4. “Be of good comfort”

a) It may be translated “comfort yourselves”.

b) Paul urged the believers to be of comfort to one another.

5. “Be of one mind”

a) It may be translated “think the same thing”.

b) This was a plea to earnestly think harmoniously and collectively.

6. “Live in peace”

a) It may be translated “Be at peace with each other”.

b) This is more than possible.

7. “And the God of love and peace will be with you”

a) The Lord is described beautifully as “The God of peace and love”.

b) The presence of God is with all who live in love and peace.