2 Corinthians 13:11-14 concludes Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. He exhorts them to live joyfully and complete in Christ. He desires unity among their number, and prays that they will feel God’s love for them, and will thus treat one another lovingly.
In 2 Corinthians 13:11-142 Corinthians 13:11-14 commentary, commentary Paul now begins the conclusion to this letter with some encouragement, Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you (v. 11).
The word brethren is directed to the church, or local assembly of believers. Given the locale and history of its founding, we can presume the majority of the assembly is Gentile. That Paul calls these Gentile believers brethren underscores that in Christ all people are one (Galatians 3:28Galatians 3:28 commentary).
In verse 11, rejoice is a verb, so Paul is urging the Corinthians to make a choice and take an action. It is worth noting that Paul is admonishing the Corinthians to rejoice after having reproached them to repent of sin and clean up their act.
1 Thessalonians 5:161 Thessalonians 5:16 commentary includes a very simple command: “Rejoice always.” This is to be a choice made by believers.
Likewise, Philippians 4:4Philippians 4:4 commentary commands “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice.”
We can see from these passages that rejoicing is to be a choice that is independent of either feelings or circumstances. Christ is in us and is our hope of glory. That is cause to rejoice. Christ has given us the truth, and the truth sets us free. Even though the truth may hurt, it is for our good. Truth purges sin, and sin destroys. So, while repentance-related-change is difficult, we can rejoice that God is seeking our best. He is seeking to lead us to be made complete. We can rejoice that He has our best interest at heart.
The phrase be made complete in verse 11 is the verb form of the Greek noun also translated “be made complete” in verse 9. In verse 9, Paul prays that the Corinthians would be made complete (noun) which is the desired result from living “in Christ,” walking “in the faith” and being sanctified as unto the Lord. It is the final product of living out the reality of being “in Christ.” It is walking the reality of “Jesus Christ is in you” (2 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:5 commentary).
In praying that the Corinthians be made complete (noun), Paul shows us that it is an appropriate prayer to pray that God would cause others (or ourselves) to be made complete (noun). It is a state we should aspire God to deliver us to.
But here in verse 11, we are commanded by Paul to be made complete (verb) through the agency of making good choices. That Paul prayed to God that the Corinthians be made complete (noun) while also commanding them to be made complete (verb) by their own actions demonstrates the paradoxical biblical principle that God is sovereign over all but has designed the world such that our choices matter and impact eternity.
Paul notes this paradox throughout his writings. In his letter to the Romans, he expressed his amazement at this mystery of God:
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!” (Romans 11:33Romans 11:33 commentary)
The phrase be comforted also translates a Greek verb. This verb is passive, indicating Paul is telling them to receive comfort. Perhaps he is asking them to receive comfort from his assurance of his love for them, and his insistence in standing for the truth. The verb is also plural, meaning that this comfort is to be chosen by the body of believers.
The phrase be like-minded also translates a Greek verb “phroneo.” Unlike be comforted, this verb is active. Paul is exhorting the Corinthians to make a choice to be like-minded. The word “phroneo” is the major theme of Philippians, occurring some ten times in that short letter.
The basic thought of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is to take care to carefully evaluate and adopt the proper mindset/perspective. In 2 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:5 commentary, commentary Paul warns about mental fortresses that are “speculations” and “every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God,” and when they are torn down, they are to be rebuilt with carefully chosen “phroneo” or mindsets that are perspectives that reflect the wisdom of God.
In Philippians in 2:5, Paul exhorts believers to adopt the same “phroneo” (mindset, attitude, or perspective) that Jesus adopted. Jesus adopted the mindset that obedience to His Father was a superior path to walk rather than remaining in the circumstantial comfort of heaven (Philippians 2:5-8Philippians 2:5-8 commentary). As a result of His obedience, He was given the great reward of sharing His Father’s throne of authority (Philippians 2:9Philippians 2:9 commentary, commentaryMatthew 28:18Matthew 28:18 commentary, commentaryHebrews 2:9Hebrews 2:9 commentary, commentaryRevelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary).
Paul adopted that same mindset. He expressed this earlier in this letter, proclaiming that the persecution he endured for the gospel was “momentary, light affliction” as compared to the “eternal weight of glory” that will be awarded to those who live as faithful witnesses (2 Corinthians 4:172 Corinthians 4:17 commentary).
In addition to being the same mindset as Philippians 2:5-8Philippians 2:5-8 commentary, commentary this is also the same attitude as Hebrews 12:1-2Hebrews 12:1-2 commentary, commentary which says Jesus was “despising the shame” heaped on Him by the world when He “endured the cross.” He did this “for the joy set before Him.” That “joy” was to sit down “at the right hand of the throne of God” not just as God, but also as a human. Paul lived a perspective that it was worth giving up everything to gain what Christ rewards those who live as faithful witnesses.
The phrase live in peace is also a verb. This verb is an imperative, plural command. Paul is commanding the Corinthian church to actively settle their disputes and come to one mind. He expressed in 2 Corinthians 12:202 Corinthians 12:20 commentary a concern that when he arrived in Corinth for his third visit there, he would discover “strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances.”
These fleshly behaviors are the opposite of living in peace. To live in peace is to have unity of purpose. It is for the members of the body to apply their gifts for the good of the whole. Paul wrote about this at length in his first letter (1 Corinthians 121 Corinthians 12 commentary). Paul exhorts the Corinthians to make an active effort to live in peace.
Now Paul adds a promise. If the Corinthians will do these things (rejoice, be comforted, be made complete, be like-minded, live in peace) then Paul asserts and the God of love and peace will be with you.
The love of God is a reinforcing loop. When we love others, His love flows through us, and His love is with us. This an encouragement and exhortation from Paul that as the church lives together in the love of God there is a virtuous cycle created. As God’s love and peace flow to us from the Holy Spirit, we let it flow through us by living as a part of the body of Christ.
The church is not so much like a reservoir where we store the love and peace of God until we need it. It is more like a spring-fed river, where God’s love serves as an infinite headwater, and flows to all who will receive it.
As he wraps up, Paul tells his readers Greet one another with a holy kiss (v. 12).
It might seem odd to us that Paul can pivot so quickly from telling them he is coming to discipline them and will “spare no one” in the first part of this chapter (2 Corinthians 13:1-22 Corinthians 13:1-2 commentary) then tells them to Greet one another with a holy kiss. But this entire discourse is familial. This is a spiritual father speaking to his spiritual children (2 Corinthians 12:14-152 Corinthians 12:14-15 commentary). We might think of this as the hug and kiss of the child after receiving the discipline of the parent.
This kiss is not just a sign or token of affection, but it is a holy kiss, which was a sign of brotherhood in Christ. In the Christian practice, men would only kiss men and women would kiss women, primarily to emphasize that it was a holy kiss. It is still a common practice in many cultures for kisses to be used as greetings. This was a greeting intended to convey a commitment to one another as fellow members of the Body of Christ.
Paul opened this letter as coming from him and Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:12 Corinthians 1:1 commentary). Now he says All the saints greet you (v. 13).
Paul was likely writing this letter to Corinth from Macedonia. In sending greetings from all the Christians there to the church in Corinth, we can presume that Paul shared experiences among the churches. We saw this in 2 Corinthians 8:1-52 Corinthians 8:1-5 commentary, commentary that Paul used the Macedonians’ generosity as an example for their own opportunity to learn stewardship.
While it is likely that most of them in either church had not met each other, it was a recognition that they were together part of a larger church, the universal body of Christ.
Paul ends this letter with the following salutation: 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).
Paul normally used a benediction in his letters to churches and individuals. Paul, as a Jewish scholar, might have gotten the basic idea from the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:22-26Numbers 6:22-26 commentary. Paul begins by wishing that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ may be with the Corinthians. The Greek word translated grace is “charis” which means “favor.” We can see this in Luke 2:52Luke 2:52 commentary, commentary where “Jesus grew in favor [‘charis’] with God and men.”
This wish that God’s favor rest upon the Corinthians further shows that Paul’s stern words are given in love and out of seeking their best interest. In 2 Corinthians 13:22 Corinthians 13:2 commentary, commentary Paul said he would “not spare anyone” if he found them living in a fleshly manner when he arrived for his visit. This is because he desires them to avoid the death and self-destruction of sin and instead gain the benefit of experiencing the life that comes from a walk of faith. This is consistent with Paul wishing that the favor/grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be upon them.
Paul also used the benediction “the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you” in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:231 Corinthians 16:23 commentary). In this letter’s benediction, Paul adds and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. In his first letter, Paul said, “my love be with you all in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 16:241 Corinthians 16:24 commentary). Here he shifts a bit and wishes upon them the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
This seems to be a logical shift, since in this letter his apostolic authority seems to be in greater question. So instead of giving them a wish of personal love, he appeals to the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. This is also in keeping with his emphasis in this letter on shifting the Corinthian believers’ focus from external appearances to Christ.
Today we can take from this an ongoing encouragement. All believers are saved from sin by grace through faith in Christ. Jesus died once, for all, that all who believe might have eternal life (Hebrews 9:12Hebrews 9:12 commentary, commentaryJohn 3:14-15John 3:14-15 commentary). Jesus was and is a gift of love to us from God the Father (John 3:16John 3:16 commentary). And every believer receives the gift and fellowship of the Holy Spirit who grants us the power of the resurrected Christ when we believe (1 Corinthians 12:131 Corinthians 12:13 commentary, commentaryEphesians 1:13-14Ephesians 1:13-14 commentary, commentary2 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:5 commentary).
With this inner resurrection power of Jesus, each believer in Jesus is no longer a slave to sin, but is now free to choose to live a transformed life, with a renewed mind, and walk in the power of the Spirit (our new nature) rather than the flesh (our old nature) (Romans 6:22Romans 6:22 commentary, 12:1-212:1-2 commentary, Galatians 5:13Galatians 5:13 commentary, 1616 commentary).
If we take this letter to apply to ourselves, we can see that we all need to practice self-examination. We all need to look at our thoughts with honesty and identify worldly speculations that need to be cast down and taken captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:5 commentary). We need to set aside self and recognize and repent of pride, which will save us from walking in the self-destructive ways of the world and the flesh (James 1:21James 1:21 commentary).
Just as these believers in Corinth struggled with trusting deceptive men, so we can be deceived by the world and lose our central focus on Christ. Because sin and human nature has not changed, our struggles are the same. As Paul said in his first letter, all humans experience the same kinds of trials; they are “common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:131 Corinthians 10:13 commentary).
Therefore, as we read Paul’s letters we can put ourselves in the place of the Corinthians. We can be encouraged that although they had many issues, falling into sin as well as being led astray, Paul never gave up on them. They are still in Christ. They still have the Holy Spirit.
Thankfully, God’s mercies are new every morning. Therefore, we can be encouraged that no matter how far we might stray, God is still calling us to return to Him and follow His ways. Through repentance and obedience to Christ, we can escape the lies of the world (which lead to self-destruction) and gain fulfillment of our God-given design.
Set to dark mode
2 Corinthians 13:11-14 meaning
In 2 Corinthians 13:11-142 Corinthians 13:11-14 commentary, commentary Paul now begins the conclusion to this letter with some encouragement, Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you (v. 11).
The word brethren is directed to the church, or local assembly of believers. Given the locale and history of its founding, we can presume the majority of the assembly is Gentile. That Paul calls these Gentile believers brethren underscores that in Christ all people are one (Galatians 3:28Galatians 3:28 commentary).
In verse 11, rejoice is a verb, so Paul is urging the Corinthians to make a choice and take an action. It is worth noting that Paul is admonishing the Corinthians to rejoice after having reproached them to repent of sin and clean up their act.
We can see from these passages that rejoicing is to be a choice that is independent of either feelings or circumstances. Christ is in us and is our hope of glory. That is cause to rejoice. Christ has given us the truth, and the truth sets us free. Even though the truth may hurt, it is for our good. Truth purges sin, and sin destroys. So, while repentance-related-change is difficult, we can rejoice that God is seeking our best. He is seeking to lead us to be made complete. We can rejoice that He has our best interest at heart.
The phrase be made complete in verse 11 is the verb form of the Greek noun also translated “be made complete” in verse 9. In verse 9, Paul prays that the Corinthians would be made complete (noun) which is the desired result from living “in Christ,” walking “in the faith” and being sanctified as unto the Lord. It is the final product of living out the reality of being “in Christ.” It is walking the reality of “Jesus Christ is in you” (2 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:5 commentary).
In praying that the Corinthians be made complete (noun), Paul shows us that it is an appropriate prayer to pray that God would cause others (or ourselves) to be made complete (noun). It is a state we should aspire God to deliver us to.
But here in verse 11, we are commanded by Paul to be made complete (verb) through the agency of making good choices. That Paul prayed to God that the Corinthians be made complete (noun) while also commanding them to be made complete (verb) by their own actions demonstrates the paradoxical biblical principle that God is sovereign over all but has designed the world such that our choices matter and impact eternity.
Paul notes this paradox throughout his writings. In his letter to the Romans, he expressed his amazement at this mystery of God:
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!”
(Romans 11:33Romans 11:33 commentary)
The phrase be comforted also translates a Greek verb. This verb is passive, indicating Paul is telling them to receive comfort. Perhaps he is asking them to receive comfort from his assurance of his love for them, and his insistence in standing for the truth. The verb is also plural, meaning that this comfort is to be chosen by the body of believers.
The phrase be like-minded also translates a Greek verb “phroneo.” Unlike be comforted, this verb is active. Paul is exhorting the Corinthians to make a choice to be like-minded. The word “phroneo” is the major theme of Philippians, occurring some ten times in that short letter.
The basic thought of Paul’s letter to the Philippians is to take care to carefully evaluate and adopt the proper mindset/perspective. In 2 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:5 commentary, commentary Paul warns about mental fortresses that are “speculations” and “every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God,” and when they are torn down, they are to be rebuilt with carefully chosen “phroneo” or mindsets that are perspectives that reflect the wisdom of God.
In Philippians in 2:5, Paul exhorts believers to adopt the same “phroneo” (mindset, attitude, or perspective) that Jesus adopted. Jesus adopted the mindset that obedience to His Father was a superior path to walk rather than remaining in the circumstantial comfort of heaven (Philippians 2:5-8Philippians 2:5-8 commentary). As a result of His obedience, He was given the great reward of sharing His Father’s throne of authority (Philippians 2:9Philippians 2:9 commentary, commentary Matthew 28:18Matthew 28:18 commentary, commentary Hebrews 2:9Hebrews 2:9 commentary, commentary Revelation 3:21Revelation 3:21 commentary).
Paul adopted that same mindset. He expressed this earlier in this letter, proclaiming that the persecution he endured for the gospel was “momentary, light affliction” as compared to the “eternal weight of glory” that will be awarded to those who live as faithful witnesses (2 Corinthians 4:172 Corinthians 4:17 commentary).
In addition to being the same mindset as Philippians 2:5-8Philippians 2:5-8 commentary, commentary this is also the same attitude as Hebrews 12:1-2Hebrews 12:1-2 commentary, commentary which says Jesus was “despising the shame” heaped on Him by the world when He “endured the cross.” He did this “for the joy set before Him.” That “joy” was to sit down “at the right hand of the throne of God” not just as God, but also as a human. Paul lived a perspective that it was worth giving up everything to gain what Christ rewards those who live as faithful witnesses.
The phrase live in peace is also a verb. This verb is an imperative, plural command. Paul is commanding the Corinthian church to actively settle their disputes and come to one mind. He expressed in 2 Corinthians 12:202 Corinthians 12:20 commentary a concern that when he arrived in Corinth for his third visit there, he would discover “strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances.”
These fleshly behaviors are the opposite of living in peace. To live in peace is to have unity of purpose. It is for the members of the body to apply their gifts for the good of the whole. Paul wrote about this at length in his first letter (1 Corinthians 121 Corinthians 12 commentary). Paul exhorts the Corinthians to make an active effort to live in peace.
Now Paul adds a promise. If the Corinthians will do these things (rejoice, be comforted, be made complete, be like-minded, live in peace) then Paul asserts and the God of love and peace will be with you.
The love of God is a reinforcing loop. When we love others, His love flows through us, and His love is with us. This an encouragement and exhortation from Paul that as the church lives together in the love of God there is a virtuous cycle created. As God’s love and peace flow to us from the Holy Spirit, we let it flow through us by living as a part of the body of Christ.
The church is not so much like a reservoir where we store the love and peace of God until we need it. It is more like a spring-fed river, where God’s love serves as an infinite headwater, and flows to all who will receive it.
As he wraps up, Paul tells his readers Greet one another with a holy kiss (v. 12).
It might seem odd to us that Paul can pivot so quickly from telling them he is coming to discipline them and will “spare no one” in the first part of this chapter (2 Corinthians 13:1-22 Corinthians 13:1-2 commentary) then tells them to Greet one another with a holy kiss. But this entire discourse is familial. This is a spiritual father speaking to his spiritual children (2 Corinthians 12:14-152 Corinthians 12:14-15 commentary). We might think of this as the hug and kiss of the child after receiving the discipline of the parent.
This kiss is not just a sign or token of affection, but it is a holy kiss, which was a sign of brotherhood in Christ. In the Christian practice, men would only kiss men and women would kiss women, primarily to emphasize that it was a holy kiss. It is still a common practice in many cultures for kisses to be used as greetings. This was a greeting intended to convey a commitment to one another as fellow members of the Body of Christ.
Paul opened this letter as coming from him and Timothy (2 Corinthians 1:12 Corinthians 1:1 commentary). Now he says All the saints greet you (v. 13).
Paul was likely writing this letter to Corinth from Macedonia. In sending greetings from all the Christians there to the church in Corinth, we can presume that Paul shared experiences among the churches. We saw this in 2 Corinthians 8:1-52 Corinthians 8:1-5 commentary, commentary that Paul used the Macedonians’ generosity as an example for their own opportunity to learn stewardship.
While it is likely that most of them in either church had not met each other, it was a recognition that they were together part of a larger church, the universal body of Christ.
Paul ends this letter with the following salutation: 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).
Paul normally used a benediction in his letters to churches and individuals. Paul, as a Jewish scholar, might have gotten the basic idea from the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:22-26Numbers 6:22-26 commentary. Paul begins by wishing that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ may be with the Corinthians. The Greek word translated grace is “charis” which means “favor.” We can see this in Luke 2:52Luke 2:52 commentary, commentary where “Jesus grew in favor [‘charis’] with God and men.”
This wish that God’s favor rest upon the Corinthians further shows that Paul’s stern words are given in love and out of seeking their best interest. In 2 Corinthians 13:22 Corinthians 13:2 commentary, commentary Paul said he would “not spare anyone” if he found them living in a fleshly manner when he arrived for his visit. This is because he desires them to avoid the death and self-destruction of sin and instead gain the benefit of experiencing the life that comes from a walk of faith. This is consistent with Paul wishing that the favor/grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be upon them.
Paul also used the benediction “the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you” in his first letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:231 Corinthians 16:23 commentary). In this letter’s benediction, Paul adds and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. In his first letter, Paul said, “my love be with you all in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 16:241 Corinthians 16:24 commentary). Here he shifts a bit and wishes upon them the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
This seems to be a logical shift, since in this letter his apostolic authority seems to be in greater question. So instead of giving them a wish of personal love, he appeals to the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. This is also in keeping with his emphasis in this letter on shifting the Corinthian believers’ focus from external appearances to Christ.
Today we can take from this an ongoing encouragement. All believers are saved from sin by grace through faith in Christ. Jesus died once, for all, that all who believe might have eternal life (Hebrews 9:12Hebrews 9:12 commentary, commentary John 3:14-15John 3:14-15 commentary). Jesus was and is a gift of love to us from God the Father (John 3:16John 3:16 commentary). And every believer receives the gift and fellowship of the Holy Spirit who grants us the power of the resurrected Christ when we believe (1 Corinthians 12:131 Corinthians 12:13 commentary, commentary Ephesians 1:13-14Ephesians 1:13-14 commentary, commentary 2 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:5 commentary).
With this inner resurrection power of Jesus, each believer in Jesus is no longer a slave to sin, but is now free to choose to live a transformed life, with a renewed mind, and walk in the power of the Spirit (our new nature) rather than the flesh (our old nature) (Romans 6:22Romans 6:22 commentary, 12:1-212:1-2 commentary, Galatians 5:13Galatians 5:13 commentary, 1616 commentary).
If we take this letter to apply to ourselves, we can see that we all need to practice self-examination. We all need to look at our thoughts with honesty and identify worldly speculations that need to be cast down and taken captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:52 Corinthians 10:5 commentary). We need to set aside self and recognize and repent of pride, which will save us from walking in the self-destructive ways of the world and the flesh (James 1:21James 1:21 commentary).
Just as these believers in Corinth struggled with trusting deceptive men, so we can be deceived by the world and lose our central focus on Christ. Because sin and human nature has not changed, our struggles are the same. As Paul said in his first letter, all humans experience the same kinds of trials; they are “common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:131 Corinthians 10:13 commentary).
Therefore, as we read Paul’s letters we can put ourselves in the place of the Corinthians. We can be encouraged that although they had many issues, falling into sin as well as being led astray, Paul never gave up on them. They are still in Christ. They still have the Holy Spirit.
Thankfully, God’s mercies are new every morning. Therefore, we can be encouraged that no matter how far we might stray, God is still calling us to return to Him and follow His ways. Through repentance and obedience to Christ, we can escape the lies of the world (which lead to self-destruction) and gain fulfillment of our God-given design.
To this we can say hallelujah and amen!