11Finally, brothers, rejoice, be perfected, be encouraged, think the same, be at peace — and the God of love and peace will be with you. [13:12] Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. [13:13] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
2CO 13:11-14
Benediction and Farewell
In the world it was spoken into
In the Greco-Roman world, communal harmony and unity were highly valued, particularly within voluntary associations like early Christian gatherings. The exhortations to 'rejoice,' 'be perfected,' 'be encouraged,' and 'be at peace' reflect a concern for the internal cohesion of the Corinthian community. The verb (katartizō) suggests restoring or equipping the group to function properly, akin to mending a net or setting a bone. The call to 'think the same' (, phroneō) emphasizes shared attitudes and practical unity, not mere intellectual agreement. The 'holy kiss' was a customary greeting among early Christians, symbolizing familial bonds and mutual acceptance. The benediction invoking 'the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship (, koinōnia) of the Holy Spirit' underscores the divine source of their unity. For first-century listeners, this triad would resonate as a profound affirmation of their shared identity and divine participation.
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How other translations render this
2CO 13:11
- KJV
- Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
- BSB
- Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
- Koinōnos
- Finally, brothers, rejoice, be perfected, be encouraged, think the same, be at peace — and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2CO 13:12
- KJV
- Greet one another with an holy kiss.
- BSB
- Greet one another with a holy kiss.
- Koinōnos
- Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
2CO 13:13
- KJV
- All the saints salute you.
- BSB
- All the saints send you greetings.
- Koinōnos
- The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
2CO 13:14
- KJV
- The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
- BSB
- The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
2CO 13:11
- do be perfected,:The word translated 'do be perfected' carried the sense of being fully equipped, restored, or put in order, like setting a dislocated bone or preparing a ship for sail.
- do be encouraged,:The word translated 'do be encouraged' encompassed a range of meanings including to call alongside, to comfort, to exhort, or to appeal to someone for help or support.
- do think,:The word translated 'do think' implied more than just intellectual thought; it involved setting one's mind on something, having a particular mindset, or being disposed in a certain way.
2CO 13:13
- fellowship:The word translated 'fellowship' described a deep, active participation, sharing, or partnership, often implying a common bond or mutual contribution.