2 Corinthians 13:11-14

2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice!  Let your brokenness be restored to health!  Encourage one another!  Hold the same opinion!  Live in peace!  And the God of love and peace will be with you all.  Greet one another in a holy kiss.  All of the holy ones greet you all.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

When Paul gives his final instructions, he begins with rejoicing.  Much of Paul’s interaction with the Corinthian church since leaving them has been conflict.  There can be little doubt that Paul’s relationship with the Corinthian church has stressed him out.  No wonder he tells them to rejoice first!  They need to spend time basking in God’s provision rather than looking for ways to tear one another down.

Do you think humanity is naturally good at rejoicing or being in conflict?  Why do you say this?  Who in your life is naturally good at rejoicing?

Second Thought:

The rest of the commands fit in well with the first point.  Paul says that they need to be restored to health.  This is the same verb that I spoke about yesterday that literally means “to set a broken bone” in the Greek medical world.  Paul then says they should encourage one another.  Then he speaks about unity.  Then he tells them to live in peace.  All of these commands are geared towards good and proper Christian community.  All of these commands are geared towards moving the Corinthians out of their current human existence and bringing them into a better imitation of God.

What is your experience with humanity with respect to each of these words?  Where do you think our culture can improve with these commands Paul gives to the Corinthians?

Third Thought:

I love the Trinitarian ending of this passage.  The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are clearly significant to Paul and his understanding of focus.  But Paul directly connects the Trinity with grace, love, and fellowship.  God is a god of grace in that He saved us when we did not deserve it and continues to forgive us.  God is a god of love in that He provides a way to salvation when we cannot do it ourselves so that we can be in relationship with Him.  God is a God of fellowship in that he brings us together with Him so that we can know relationship with Him and one another.

How do you know God’s grace personally?  How do you know God’s love personally?  How do you know fellowship with God?

Passage for Tomorrow: TBD