Final Words
2 Corinthians 13:11 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.
I am always interested in final words. Not necessarily deathbed words, but words as someone is wrapping up communication. Because Paul did not have a phone or email, his letters were a revelation of what was on his heart. Paul’s letters were also written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. As he was finishing his last letter to the church at Corinth, he had a few instructions that were important.
“Finally, rejoice.” The NLT says, “be joyful.” It’s too easy to skip these instructions. Too easy to treat them in the same way we would tell someone to take care. But I don’tbelieve Paul was repeating a colloquial phrase or a common ending. He wanted the church to rejoice. The rejoicing Paul adhered to was rejoicing or being joyful in the Lord. Rejoicing in what God has done in Christ. Rejoicing in the lasting eternal truths and realities that transcend our temporary existence here on earth. Paul was a man conscious of two realms: the natural physical realm and the spiritual one. He was more focused on the spiritual. We read in chapter eleven the amount of hardship and traumatic experiences that made up his walk with the Lord. So when this man says rejoice and be joyful, we should listen.
Become mature or, as the NLT expresses, “grow into maturity.” This does let us know that the church at Corinth had not arrived at full maturity, even though they did have the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church. They still had some growth to do. We all have growing to do. I plan on growing for a long time.
Be encouraged or encourage one another. Both are good practices. It’s hard to encourage others unless you are encouraged yourself. Paul did not specify what to be encouraged about. If they had questioned him about being encouraged, he might have referenced his two letters to them. He does end the letter with the encouragement of the grace of the Lord Jesus, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Those are three encouraging things!
Be of the same mind and be at peace. The NLT says live in harmony and peace. Living in harmony, or the unity of the spirit, is an admonishment Paul encouraged with all the churches. This creates a godly environment. James said where there was envy and strife, there was confusion and every evil work. God is not a God of confusion but of peace. A strife-filled church cannot focus on the goal of advancing and promoting the kingdom of God.
Paul’s next verse mentions greeting each other with a holy kiss. That doesn’t play too well in Texas. A hug or handshake will accomplish the same goal.
Prayer
Lord, I have a lot to rejoice about and reasons to be encouraged. Show me by Your Holy Spirit areas where I need to mature the most and let me be a carrier of Your peace.