Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: 1 Samuel 7-9
     New Testament Reading: 2 Corinthians 13

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. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you greetings (2 Corinthians 13:11-12).

In closing his letter, Paul qualifies his remarks. Finally, brothers and sisters, meaning that his closing words are for believers, for those in Corinth and all believers today. He then gives six practical commands for how we are to conduct our lives.

Rejoice.Laugh more—let laughter spill from your life, filling the walls of your home and workplace. Scientists have discovered that laughter even has medical benefits. It creates morphine-like endoenzymes in the brain that reduce pain. Solomon also knew the benefits of laughter when he wrote, A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones (Proverbs 17:22).

Become mature. Other versions state: Strive for full restoration, or become complete, or be perfected. When Paul wrote his first letter, he told the Corinthians; I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ (1 Cor 3:1). His two letters were an admonishment to grow up spiritually. Paul’s desire was for them to turn from their sinful ways and be restored in the faith, to become complete, perfect, mature Christians.

Be encouraged.Or be of good comfort. Despite all their sins and problems, they were still children of God and had every right to be comforted and encouraged. As Christians, we are to comfort and encourage one another. In addition, God can encourage and comfort us as we follow Paul’s advice and get our spiritual lives in order.

Be of the same mind. This does not mean that we all agree on everything, but that we agree to not disagree over matters that are not essential. Paul is asking all of us to have the same focus. Paul wrote, Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus (Phil 2:4-5). When we are like-minded toward Jesus Christ, we are also like-minded toward others, unselfish and open and supportive.

Be at peace. This was Paul’s goal for all the churches and especially needed in Corinth, for there were many divisions and dissensions. If they would practice love for one another and be of one mind, the fighting and bickering would cease, and they would enjoy peace in their fellowship.

Greet one another with a holy kiss. Christians should always greet one another warmly and affectionately within the custom of the day. A kiss in the first century was not from impure or sensual motives, but considered like a handshake or hug today. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). By greeting other believers warmly, we not only show the other person our concern for their lives, but we also show the world our love for one another.

Paul leaves two wonderful promises with the Corinthians. First, the God of love and peace will be with you. We can always count on God’s presence in our lives. And second, All the saints send you greetings. We can always count on earthly companionship, for we are joined in a family with all our brothers and sisters in Christ.