2 Corinthians 13:11 Commentary and Bible Study

At the end of this letter, Paul gives us a summary of Christian life, easily underestimated as random good wishes, but in fact carefully selected under inspiration.‘Finally, farewell.’ Most moderns, say, ‘Rejoice.’ Rejoice is the word in Greek, but the KJV is slightly more correct in using ‘farewell’, because it was the way letters ended. The thought is, ‘I hope you fare well in your life.’ Strive to be a rejoicing people and balance the pain and the grief by exercising Christian happiness. Spend time reflecting. You reflect on eternal life, and you are moved by these things. Bear in mind the resurrected Lord is near. You cannot see, hear, or touch him, but by faith you see him near. Have that communion and consciousness of the risen Lord. By much prayer and anticipation even long-standing trials will one day be resolved. ‘Be perfect.’ The language surprises us. Be entire, complete, mature as believers. This is one of our missions. Aim at completeness, at perfect harmony. What is meant? It includes the idea of always going forward. Not only so, but of living all the Christian life, the full breadth of it. You can live a quarter or half, when you should be living all. ‘Be of good comfort.’ This is another excellent rendering by the old translation. The word is elastic. It could be, draw near for counsel or advice or reproof, or, be encouraged, be exhorted. All these are plausible. The KJV has ‘comfort’ because of the context. It fits in this run of exhortations better than any of the alternatives. This is different from rejoicing. Life is turbulent, confronted by world, the flesh and the devil. Our own failings drag us down, so be comforted. Make it a duty to get yourself comforted. Reflect on the promises of God. By ministry – the public preaching of the word; it is not perfect, but it is God’s appointed means. By fellowship, by the help of God. But when I am down and struck a heavy blow, am I not entitled to grumble and groan? Well this cannot take away the pain, but it puts the comforts alongside, so take the proper measures. ‘Be of one mind.’ See each other as the Lord’s. Desire each other’s blessing. How often Paul says this (Romans 15:6; Philippians 1:27; 2:2; 3:16). We must be of one mind if we would have a sense of the presence of God. Does that mean that if things go wrong, it must not be raised? Of course not. Talk it through and see if the mistake is really there. Resolve things. It does not mean never deal with difficulties. In one mind – this is not talking about how we make material decisions, and choose, for instance, decorations, but in doctrines, working church, family of God working. Are we not a democracy? Well, no actually, church government is unique – all believers have a duty to follow the lead of Scripture. We are to be of one mind in the word of God.‘Live in peace.’ There is a tendency to hang on to the past. My first impression of people can persist. Are we ready to give the other a chance and to look for advance, and get over offences? Remember, thinketh no evil. We mention it in marriage service. We do not store up what should have been forgotten. We do not bring it out at a later date. In line with Ephesians 4:31 we assume the best for each other. God is building a family, not a church of individuals. How can we expect the God of love and reconciliation and unreserved kindness to flow over us if we are not attempting these things?‘And the God of love and peace shall be with you.’ There is a ring of the conditional about this clause. We are saved by grace, but our sense of the presence of God is governed by whether or not we strive to obey him. This sums up all that Paul has said until now. Peace is the gift of God to all who are in Christ Jesus. It is a peace which is without measure, since it is given for all eternity and reconciles us to the infinite, eternal and unchangeable God on high. Nothing in him will ever again be against us, and soon all troubles of this present life will have been taken away. Christ is our peace and he gives us his peace, so that we can look beyond our present hardships and rest in him.