Finally (2 Corinthians 13:11–14)

It has been said that the most frequently uttered lie is when a pastor says, “in conclusion.” Well, to quote Paul, “I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness” (Romans 9:1). This is the concluding message in our studies of 2 Corinthians. One clear indication is that Paul writes in these verses, “Finally, brothers.”

Having written a difficult letter—one filled with joy and sorrow, displaying both meekness and might, both tender appeals and tough warnings—Paul finally concludes. All that needed to have been said has been said. The Corinthians should prepare for Paul’s imminent visit (vv. 1–10), and here in his final words he tells them how to prepare: they are to rejoice with one another, they are to receive one another, and they are to remember alongside one another.

Finally, Rejoice

Paul begins his conclusion with a familial command: “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another,  agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you” (v. 11). In fact, there are five commands (imperatives) in v. 11a, which is then followed by a familial promise if they obey.

The word “finally” means “something remaining”—something further needs to be said—and implies, “therefore listen up.” Paul begins his conclusion by exhorting them to adopt a particular posture and practice.

The Posture Expected

“Brothers”—the five imperatives are given in the context of brotherly love. These are affectionate, familial commands.

It’s noteworthy that Paul uses “brothers” only three times in 2 Corinthians (1:8; 8:1; 13:11), whereas in 1 Corinthians he uses it 21 times. Why the difference? There has been relational deterioration. But Paul wants to remind them finally that they are family.

Difficult things happen in families. Hurtful words, painful actions, disturbing attitudes, sinful choices occur in churches as well. When this happens, it is vital that we reflect on the relationship we have to one another because of our relationship to our Father (5:20; 6:17–18).

The local church needs a scriptural rather than a sentimental appreciation of what it means to be the family of God. Who is the family? As Jesus said, “Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:35).

The Practice Exhorted

In rapid-fire succession, Paul communicates five expected pursuits of the congregation—five behaviours they are to practise. What he prayed for in vv. 7–9, he now exhorts. Each of these is in the present active tense, meaning they are to be continual characteristics of the membership. Paul expects obedience in five areas.

Rejoice

To rejoice is to experience a state of joy and well-being. It is to be in a glad and cheerful disposition—regardless of circumstance.

The joy of the Lord is the shepherd’s desire. He desires a cheerful family, one cheered in and by the Lord. This was the goal of the epistle (2:3). Paul could be cheerful even though simultaneously sorrowful (6:10). Obedience is inseparable from true joy (7:6–7, 9, 12, 16; 13:9).

Our frequent prayerful pursuit should be that each of us will not do what is wrong but what is right (v. 7) and experience the joy that accompanies such obedience. As each of us takes seriously this obedient responsibility, we will grow in Christlikeness—and Christ himself was full of joy (John 15:11).

A community that continually rejoices in the Lord is much less inclined to fight and bicker about trifles. A community rejoicing in the goodness of God is much less inclined to grumble. A community actively rejoicing in all that it has been given in Christ is far less likely to dwell on personal hurts and injuries.

This requires continual commitment to the next commandment.

Aim for Restoration

“Finally, have the same aim that I have,” which is that you experience healing amid your brokenness.

Be perfected. Be mended. Be equipped. Be united, “perfectly joined together,” “be aligned with one another” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Paul desired for the church to be repaired and thus increasingly restored to the image of Christ through corporate commitment to the gospel, the new covenant (3:18). This is precisely what our church is to be doing—restoring treasured artwork and family heirlooms for future generations.

This is why it is a serious thing to disfigure the local church. An awful lot is at stake (1 Corinthians 3:16). We can be cheerful if we are whole, if we are maturing in Christ, when we all aim for this. As we all aim for the gospel by the gospel, then joy is experienced.

Where the gospel is our aim and focus, self-will and self-righteousness are dealt a deathly blow. So let us aim for gospel-driven restoration. As Hebrews 10:5 reminds us, just as God had prepared a perfect body for Jesus, so he has ordained that we be a perfect body (Ephesians 4:16). Let’s pursue this continually.

A congregation growing in selflessness will be a cheerful congregation that is concerned for and committed to one another.

Comfort One Another

“Comfort” conveys a consolatory strengthening that serves to comfort whilst also stiffening one’s backbone in the face of adversity.

The word could be translated “exhort” or “encourage” and implies drawing near someone for this purpose. Of the eighteen occurrences in 2 Corinthians, it is translated “comfort” nine times.

This was the opening theme in this epistle (1:4–6). The church was called to comfort those being restored (2:7–8). Titus experienced comfort from the congregation (7:7).

Paul expects the members to draw near to one another, not only to confront and to correct but to comfort as well—to “put courage” into one another, thus helping one another to persevere.

A church that is being restored and hence cheerful is a comforting church—a church filled with members that draw near to one another, that builds relationships with one another.

Our smartphones and related devices are changing us. Most of us now communicate via non-embodied platforms rather than face to face with one another. The result is that we are becoming increasingly impersonal and individualistic, and this lack of community results in the inability to pay attention.

Test yourself: at the conclusion of this service, will you immediately grab for your phone or will you seek to speak to someone?

A comforting church will stick together rather than falling apart when something goes awry, needing restoration.

Practically speaking, don’t isolate but rather gather and connect for comfort. Faith in God who can do all things provides hope amid a congregation that is facing troubles. Don’t give up but rather grow up into Christ (Ephesians 4:12–16).

Agree with One Another

This means that they are to be intent on, to give attention to the same thing. It is a call for them to transcend their differences, to find a unity above and beyond the matters that divide them.

Church members are expected to continually be characterised by being “of the same mind,” having the same affection (Matthew 16:23). We are to think alike, to have similar thoughts about the gospel and about our God (1 Corinthians 13:11).

We are to have the same outlook, the same viewpoint concerning the gospel of God (Acts 28:22; Galatians 5:10: “I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is”).

We are to agree on the main thing, not necessarily on everything. As we agree on the what and on the who of the gospel, then there will be harmony despite differences (Romans 12:16; 15:5). Harmony implies differences whilst still singing the same song.

This was Paul’s approach: grounding the membership in the same gospel (chapter 3).

When a church is on the same gospel page, then even when there are disagreements and differences, there will remain a holy and therefore happy harmony. So let’s work on keeping the main thing the main thing. Let us have the same mind, the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:1–5; Matthew 16:23). This requires continual work—continual exhortation and restoration.

A cheerful, rejoicing local church is a gospel-united church—not merely doctrinally but dispositionally as well (Ephesians 4:32). Such a church emphasises the priority, not preferences. Therefore, guarding the gospel sometimes calls for us to let go of our grievances.

Live in Peace

“Be peaceful.” “Live peaceably.” Continually be characterised as peacemakers. The idea is that of cultivating peace.

A cheerful church cultivates a sense of shalom—a wholesome well-being. Again, a cheerful, rejoicing church restores relationships. It works at this.

As a church is continually being restored, the sense of shalom continually grows, even (especially?) amid storms. As Jesus said, “Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another” (Mark 9:50).

Shalom is strong, not sentimental. Biblical peace requires taking a stand. Factions will not be tolerated. False teachers will be rejected. Perhaps that is why Paul wrote, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18).

Paul’s point is that if we are not at peace with someone, it should be because we have done everything possible and reasonable, and the other person simply refuses to be at peace with us. Do right relationally and leave the results with God.

Yet also, where shalom is growing, forgiveness will be prominent (chapter 7).

The Promise Experienced

Love and peace are characteristics of God (John 3:16; 1 John 4:7–8; Romans 16:20; Philippians 4:7, 9).

If the church is committed to continually being cheerful through continual commitment to restoration, exhortation, harmony, and peace, then it will experience the presence of the God of peace and love.

God will be “at home” with such a people (2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1). Likeness and nearness are mutually bound together. The presence of the Lord is in such a place.

If we desire to improve our worship, we don’t need louder music, better aesthetics, or stained glass windows. We will need to improve our relationships with each other.

God will not present himself with the rebellious, the hard-hearted, the unforgiving, and the divisive. Rather, as we express shalom, we will experience greater shalom (1 Corinthians 14:23–25).

Brothers and sisters, if we desire to corporately experience God, we must be continually corporately committed to obedience. As the hymnist wrote, “There is no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

Finally, Receive

Though a customary salutation, this is not merely a custom: “Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the saints greet you” (vv. 12-13). When we consider the context, these words take on deeper significance. This is not a mere formality but rather a family dynamic, a family responsibility.

“Greet” means “to enfold in the arms.”

There are two spheres in which Paul applies this: locally and broadly.

Local Embracing

Paul’s point: church members are to take one another seriously. We are to take notice of one another—every one another.

A Christian Kiss

The saints in Ephesus wanted this local church to know that they were loved and that they were concerned about them. Though separated geographically, nevertheless they were united in (and for) the gospel.

We dare not be isolationists. We must avoid a selfish spirit (our missions giving is a good barometer). We must avoid a critical spirit. We must avoid a self-righteous spirit. We must embrace a gospel-informed spirit.

Finally, Remember

Recognising the troubles existent in this church, most would wonder whether they could fulfil the commands of these verses, including the imperative to enfold in the arms every member. “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (v. 14).

Contemplating their weakness, they might ask, “Who is sufficient for this? Who is strong enough to live this counter-cultural life?” They would be in good company, for this was precisely the outlook of Paul throughout this letter (2:16; 4:7; 11:29–30; 12:9–10; 13:4, 9). This benediction provides the resource necessary for them to obey, as it does for us.

The underlying theme of this epistle is God’s strength amid the Christian’s weakness. Whilst recognising our weakness, we are at the same time to remember God’s power, his presence, his strength. This is the point of this glorious benediction.

The Purpose of a Benediction

Paul’s benediction both affirms God’s gracious acceptance that Christians already experience and also offers a wish-prayer that they might experience this blessing even more.

As we commit ourselves to rejoice, to restore, to exhort, to harmonise, and to live peaceably in association with other sinners, we lean upon the promise of the presence and power of our Triune God (v. 11b).

This is what we might call a gospel benediction.

The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ

We are to remember that Jesus of Nazareth is Jesus from heaven. He graciously (we did not deserve it) left the riches of heaven and took upon himself the weakness of sinful flesh. He lived sinlessly in that weak body and then he died as the God-appointed substitute in that body. What grace! God’s riches at Christ’s expense!

Jesus paid for the favour of God, and now we receive the favour of God as a gift.

We can do so because after three days Jesus rose from the dead to save repentant sinners. Will you receive this grace?

Christian, remembering what Christ has done, will you look to him, take up your cross, and help us to be a “cheerful” church?

The Love of God

The above is true because this is true. God so loved the world (13:11b) that he gave his only son to save the world (5:19).

We need to experience this love (Romans 5:5), which calls for us to reflect upon this love (Romans 8:37–39). May God give us an experiential knowledge of this love of our Father.

The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit

By the work of the Holy Spirit, by the new birth that he gives “from above” (John 3:3), we have been delivered from communion with darkness into the communion of the Triune God (6:14).

Our being joined to Christ means we are also joined to the lives of others who are also in Christ. We are in community with each other because we are in communion with the community of the Triune God.

The ultimate consequence of Christ’s grace and God’s love is this fellowship through the new covenant (3:6)—new birth, new heart, reconciled to God!

The grace shown by Christ condemns our self-centredness and triumphalism, the love of God demonstrated by Christ’s grace banishes our jealousy and factionalism, and the fellowship the Holy Spirit creates among us renders ridiculous the petty one-upmanship of minds mired in self.

Be With You All

The benediction is comprehensive. “Yes, even you, church at Corinth. Even you, wherever you may be.”

A Final Finally

Did this letter make a difference? Did the Trinitarian benediction equip the church to rejoice through being restored?

Paul wrote Romans from Corinth. Apparently he was not distracted by problems in the church. Paul wrote that he planned to go to Spain and the uttermost when he was in Corinth (Romans 15:22–24). He wouldn’t have done so if the problems remained in Corinth (2 Corinthians 10:15–16). Paul was able to collect the promised offering from the church at Corinth (Romans 15:26–27). This indicates the relationship between him and the church was good.

Though we don’t know for sure, what we do know is that God expects us to obey the words of this epistle.

And so finally, brothers and sisters, whilst acknowledging our weaknesses, let us remember the gospel, preach this gospel to ourselves and to one another, whilst looking to and leaning upon our Triune God who has promised to be with his obedient children. Let us do all we can to obey these final words, for there can be no adequate understanding of God’s love apart from the cross, and the only lasting fellowship between people is the fellowship of sinners redeemed by the blood of Jesus.

May our boast therefore be in the gospel of the Triune God, alone.

AMEN