“Final Words!”

2 Corinthians 13:11–13 CSB

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you greetings. 13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

(v.11a) – “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice…”

I.  REMEMBER What Should Characterize Our Lives – (13:11b)

Paul gives four characterizations that should mark believers’ lives and all the exhortations in (v.11) are present imperatives, indicating these must go on with continuous action at Corinth.

1.  MATURITY – “Become mature… [complete]” – cf. (v.9)

KJV – “Be perfect”; NAS – “Be made complete”; NIV – “Aim for perfection”; NLT – “Change your ways”

Galatians 6:1 CSB

1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.

Ephesians 4:12 CSB

12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,

1 Thessalonians 3:10 CSB

10 as we pray very earnestly night and day to see you face to face and to complete what is lacking in your faith?

Hebrews 13:20–21 CSB

20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep—through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 equip you with everything good to do his will, working in us what is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

2.  ENCOURAGEMENT – “…be encouraged”

The Greek verb parakaleo is used seventeen times by Paul, but only here as a command.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 CSB

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

3.  UNITY – “…be of the same mind”

Romans 12:16 CSB

16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Romans 15:5 CSB

5 Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, according to Christ Jesus,

Philippians 2:1–2 CSB

1 If, then, there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

Philippians 4:2 CSB

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to agree in the Lord.

4.  HARMONY – “…be at peace”

Mark 9:50 CSB

50 Salt is good, but if the salt should lose its flavor, how can you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

The KEY to PEACE:

Romans 5:1 CSB

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 12:18 CSB

18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

II. REJOICE in the Promise of God – (13:11c)

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

Matthew 28:20 CSB

20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

III. RESPOND to One Another with Affection – (13:12)

1.  It is with appropriate affection – “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

The word “kiss” is used twenty times in the Bible; the plural “kisses” twice, and the verb “kissed” twenty-six times.

Culturally, it was NEVER a kiss between members of the opposite sex (nor should it be today)!

2.  It was a common greeting among believers!

Romans 16:16 CSB

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send you greetings.

1 Corinthians 16:20 CSB

20 All the brothers and sisters send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

1 Thessalonians 5:26 CSB

26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.

1 Peter 5:14 CSB

14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

3.  It was understood by believers to be an expression of love indicating close relationships as in a family!

1 Peter 5:14 CSB

14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Acts 20:37–38 CSB

37 There were many tears shed by everyone. They embraced Paul and kissed him, 38 grieving most of all over his statement that they would never see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.

IV. RELY Upon the Resources of Our Triune God – (13:14)

1.  GRACE – because of the work of “…the Lord Jesus Christ”

2 Corinthians 8:9 CSB

9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.

2.  LOVE – “…and the love of God”

John 3:16 CSB

16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:7–11 CSB

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.

Believers are told to “…love one another” sixteen times in the NT!

3.  FELLOWSHIP – “…and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit”

Ephesians 4:3 CSB

3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

It is the unity of the Spirit that makes us one with one another!