2 Corinthians 13:11-14
Summary for 2Cor 13:11-14: 13:11-14 a The letter’s conclusion includes Paul’s final appeal (13:11 b), greetings (13:12-13 c), and a blessing (13:14 d). 13:11 e These last words are Paul’s final instructions.• Be joyful: See also Phil 3:1 f; 4:4 g.
• Grow to maturity: See study note on 2 Cor 13:9—Paul’s encouragement might be that they aim for restoration.
• Encourage each other: The need for encouragement has been very prominent in 2 Corinthians, beginning with 1:3-7 h.
• Live in harmony: Literally Be of the same mind (as in Phil 2:1-4 i).
Summary for 2Cor 13:12-13: 13:12-13 j a sacred kiss: The kiss was a common Jewish form of salutation, not only a sign of personal affection. Common in the New Testament church (Rom 16:16 k; 1 Cor 16:20 l; 1 Thes 5:26 m; 1 Pet 5:14 n), it may have a significance in worship services in uniting fellow believers (the “kiss of peace”). The word for sacred (Greek hagiō) is the same word that is translated God’s people (literally the saints; Greek hagioi) in the next sentence.
• God’s people here were the believers in the place from which Paul was writing in Macedonia.
13:14 o Paul closes his letter with a prayer and blessing. He invokes the three persons of the Trinity, with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (see 8:9 p) coming first. This is because we are always relying on Christ’s sacrificial love, which reconciles us to God the Father (5:18-21 q) and unites us through the fellowship of the Holy Spirit with all our fellow believers.
• The love of God provides for our needs and graciously restores us to his family.
• The fellowship of the Holy Spirit means our fellowship with the Spirit, who joins Christians together into a unity (Eph 4:3 r; Phil 2:1 s).
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