The last paragraph Paul ever wrote to his
beloved Corinthian brothers and sisters is found in 2nd
Corinthians 13:11-14.
That opening
adverb "finally" means "for the rest" or the "remaining" things,
the concluding things which now are to be discussed. It's
actually an adjective in Greek, "liopos," most often translated
as "finally" but occasionally as "now" or "then" or "besides" or
"furthermore" or even "henceforth." Paul is fond of ending his
epistles with this word hinting that his last few sentences have
begun.
The noun
"brethren" indicates those who are from the same womb! "Delphus"
means womb and the "a" prefix here is a connecting particle.
These folks are "one in Christ" as Paul sees them ...
henceforth, "one" with the Apostle too! Paul is verily living
"in Christ" ... since the moment of his salvation!
"Farewell" is a
verb. "Chairo" means literally "be cheerful!" As it appears in
the King James Text it's an imperative, in the present tense and
active voice. Paul is commanding their joyfulness! Of it's 74
appearances in Scripture, it is rendered "rejoice" 42 times and
"be glad" 14 times and "hail" 5 times and "greeting" 3 times and
"God speed" 2 times ... but "farewell" only 1 time.
Sticking with the
imperatives here Paul next requires them to "be perfect." This
verb, "katartizo," means "to mend or repair" or "to make sound
or complete." It was used by the Greeks in activities such as
fixing a torn fishing net and even setting a broken arm! It is
only used 14 or so times in Scripture. Paul here seems to be
acknowledging that some things in the Corinthian Church were
"broken" and had to be "fixed!"
"Be of good
comfort," another requirement, is spelled "parakaleo" in Greek.
It is a passive imperative in the present tense. Keep on being
"comforted" of God! This is the verb that indicates the
ministry of the Trinity! The Holy Spirit is The Comforter ("parakletos").
God the Son is The Advocate (again, "parakletos"). Then God the
Father is "The God of all comfort" ("parakletos" a third time)!
We cannot comfort ourselves!
To "be of one
mind" is to live in harmony. One mind is "autos phroneo." Be
of the same mind!
"Live in peace,"
again expressed as a command, is "eireneuo" and means to live in
unbroken communion! The verb "eiro" means "to join" together!
And the
consequence of living according to these five imperatives, or
the blessed result is ... "and the God of love and peace shall
be with you."
He is obviously
the eternal Source of further and ever-expanding joy (farewell)
and maturity (be perfect) and comfort (be of good comfort) and
love (of one mind) and peace (live in peace) in the Christian's
life!
God ..."shall be
with you!"
"Eimi meta su"
means "HE will be in the midst of you all!"
It is
grammatically built as a promise!
Our Lord is
reported in Hebrews 13:5 to have said: "I
will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Also He
committed Himself to His Own children in Matthew by saying ...
"lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:20
But, here in our
verse today, He is "with" us in a special way as we follow these
five commands of the Apostle! Yes, "meta" does often suggest
"right in the middle" of a group or family!
I will, on the
authority of God's Word, promise this: Wherever a church body
lives by these five codes, God's Presence in their midst will be
both apparent and enjoyable!
Our Lord keeps
His Word!
Paul wants the
best for these precious believers in Christ, who have "come so
far" from their sordid past lives of sin and debauchery!
The amazing power
of the Grace of God!
Additionally let
me convey this one thought. I suspect these five commands would
still work well in our churches yet today; farewell or rejoice,
be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, and live in
peace! Such conditions literally invite Jesus' Presence in a
powerful way!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 3, VERSE 12:
The verse is
rather short.
It in fact is seldom followed today.
Perhaps it is a cultural thing.
Yet Paul did write it under the
direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God.
"Greet one
another with an holy kiss." 2nd Corinthians 13:12
I have been told
that such a "holy kiss" was not practiced in the Jewish
Synagogues. That is where Paul for years had attended worship
services, doing so in accordance to his strict Hebrew
upbringing.
This must have
been a custom begun in the early New Testament Church!
Paul used this
little imperative a number of times too. To verify that, read
Romans 16:16 and 1st Corinthians 16:20 then 1st Thessalonians
5:26. Even Peter required this of those first century
Believers! See 1st Peter 5:14.
Let me set you
minds at ease, however. It definitely was a non-sensual kiss.
That would surely be in keeping with Paul's extremely cautious
(and extremely wise) attitude toward the matter of sex. It
apparently was practiced men with men or ladies with ladies
only. And it was not a kiss to the mouth either. Incorporated
with a hug, it involved a quick touch of one's lips to the cheek
or neck of another Believer in Christ.
And Paul here
really gives them no choice. The verb "greet" ("aspazomai" in
Greek) is an imperative, giving a stark command! It means "to
draw someone" toward yourself. "Spao" in Greek means just that,
"to draw." The "alpha" prefix ("a") here simply indicates
union.
Paul means for
these folks to exhibit heartfelt love one to another.
The expression
"one another" translates "allelon" (from "allos") and means
another of the same kind! The word "heteros" means another of a
different kind! Paul is not advocating morally loose behavior
here in any way at all!
The Corinthians
particularly had been fighting and arguing among themselves over
a number of issues; which "preachers" they loved best, the
Lord's Supper, spiritual gifts and even the resurrection of
saints! And this does not even count the family problems
(husband-wife issues) and lawsuits that were raging in Corinth!
Paul nearly
shouts: "Stop the fussing! Love one another! Kiss each other
in a holy manner when you meet! Anything to build harmony!"
There are well
over a dozen "one another" statements that flow from the pen of
Paul! And they constitute a worthy Bible Study project I might
add!
Lastly, the noun
"kiss" should be defined and described. "Philema," being
derived from "phileo" means "to be fond of" or "to be a friend
to" someone. This "phileo" family of words is not nearly as
broad and rich as is "agape" love for sure, but it well serves
the Holy Spirit's purpose here in this context.
And this "kiss"
will certainly reveal to any onlookers the fact that the
Corinthians are no longer divided into camps or cliques or
factions ... and have begun appreciating and respecting one
another in the Lord!
The kiss here is
further qualified by the adjective "holy." The word "hagios"
means clean or modest or innocent or even morally pure!
This practice,
"holy kissing," is still used by Christians in some parts of the
world. Even my ministry, small as it is, has led me to places
where the Brethren normally do this as a matter of respect to
the Man of God.
The real lesson
here today is this: Love one another!
That sure beats
fussing at church all the time, doesn't it?
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
P. S. --- Here are a few more points about
the "kiss" in Scripture. It is thought that when God
"breathed" into Adam's nostrils the breath of life ... that very
action was the "foundation" of man's concept of the "kiss!"
Who would have ever thought of a "kiss" being a "sharing" of
life? I also recently learned that in ancient
Judaism there existed a fear of kissing a Gentile! In
fact, it was forbidden to do so! Such action was thought
to involve demonic defilement! While most Bible kisses
have emotional and spiritual significance, apparent Judas' kiss
of Jesus was merely pragmatic, the "signal" indicating Whom to
arrest! Later, in the dark ages, Catholic tradition
admitted a form of "substitute" kissing. That means one
could kiss the altar or an icon or a statute or a ring ... and
gain spiritual merit for doing so! Such is NOT
taught in Scripture. And what about Jesus "breathing" on
His Disciples in John 20:22, imparting to them the Holy Ghost?
That's nearly a kiss of "life!"
LESSON 4, VERSE 13:
"All the saints salute
you," declares the Apostle Paul.
He's writing to the Corinthians from
somewhere in Asia, probably Philippi.
With him is Timothy and likely Titus too.
Plus a whole Church (the Philippian Believers) may have been
aware of his letter, his epistle. An epistle differs from
a simple letter only in that it is a document often invested
with authority. It asks that something be done ... and expects a
favorable response too!
The Brethren with Paul are sending their love
to the Brothers and Sisters at Corinth.
Paul is obviously trying to build a deeper
spirit of love and cooperation between these two groups of
Christians. They are already working together on a genuine
"love offering" for the poor and perhaps even hungry Believers
in Judea. That's the focus of 2nd Corinthians chapters
eight and nine.
"Aspazomai" is the Greek verb for "salute."
It's very center, "spao," just means "to draw" someone to
yourself!
Paul uses this term for "salute" 15 times in Romans chapter
sixteen alone!
All total, I fine 26 times the Apostle penned
this very word in his 14 New Testament Epistles!
Such "saluting" was very important in Paul's
day. It did not consist of a mere quick "hello." It
required one to stop what he was doing, embrace the person in
question, share a kiss of friendship, and conduct a sincere and
sometimes even lengthy conversation!
Paul has taken this innocent "custom" and
sanctified it, using it to draw God's people closer to one
another in sweet Christian love.
In so many words the Apostle is teaching us
to salute one another. He said exactly that
in Romans 16:16. "Salute one another
with an holy kiss."
This is old fashioned "fellowship" at its
best!
Paul often instructed folks to do things "one
to another." "Be kindly
affectioned one to
another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one
another." Romans 12:10
"And be ye kind
one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's
sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32
"Submitting yourselves
one to another in
the fear of God." Ephesians 5:21
"Lie not
one to another."
Colossians 3:9
And these examples do not include Paul's
other injunctions: love one another, judge not one
another, receive one another, admonish one another, greet one
another, serve one another, do not bite or devour one another,
do not envy or provoke one another, forbear one another, comfort
one another, edify one another, exhort one another and consider
one another!
What responsibility!
What love!
And Paul is exhibiting this spirit of sincere
concern to a people, the Corinthians, who have been anything but
kind to him lately!
What a "Pastor" he was!
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
LESSON 5, VERSE 14:
It is a
benediction for sure!
One of the greatest in the Bible!
Paul prays for the Corinthians ...
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be
with you all. Amen." 2nd Corinthians 13:14
He, just two verses earlier, had
promised the presence of the "God of love and peace"
to any Corinthians who were obedient followers of Christ.
Now he appeals to
the grace of God too!
I suggest to you
that, as with all Bible lists, this one has divine logic behind
its every word.
It begins with
the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ for a reason. We could never
know the love of God in its depths apart from the grace of our
Saviour! Nor could we experience the sweet communion of the
Holy Spirit!
Here also is
proof of Paul's Trinitarian doctrine.
God the Father,
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit ... the "Godhead!" Only
Paul uses that Name ... three times! See Acts 17:24 (to the
Greeks) and Romans 1:20 (to the Europeans) and Colossians 2:9
(to the Asians).
Each of us should
memorize this great verse and make it a part of our lives!
This benediction
or blessing reminds me of Numbers 6:22-27.
"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye
shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, the LORD
bless thee, and keep thee: the LORD make his face shine upon
thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD lift up his
countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put
my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them."
This Old
Testament blessing also has a threefold emphasis!
Of course the
noun "love" Paul used is "agape," the deepest and most mature
love known in Scripture.
And "communion"
translates "koinonia" which mans that "which is shared" or "held
in common" with another.
I once read a
book by an old Puritan Preacher who discussed for several
hundred pages the topic of fellowship with God. His manuscript
was divided into three parts. Communion with the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit! He even advised his readers to learn
to discern at any given time whether they were in communion with
the First, Second or Third Person of the Trinity! Now
that's a precious thought!
This verse,
technically lacking a verb, is nonetheless a direct expression
of Paul's desire for his people, for the Lord's people, there in
Corinth!
What a way to
conclude a Book!
Come to think of
it, it's an excellent way to conclude a church service too!
Why can't you
conclude a Bible study article that way also?
I will!
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and
the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
P. S. --- Recently while driving, I had these
two thoughts about the "communion" of the Holy Spirit. I
do believe the Lord gave them to me. The word Paul used
definitely has the idea of "sharing" in it. I thought,
"What do we share with the Holy Ghost?" The answer
came! We right now as Christians have access to the Holy
Spirit's very love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,
goodness, faith, meekness and temperance ... the fruit of the
Spirit! (Galatians 5:22-23) We share His very Character!
Secondly, I thought of the English noun "communion." Look at it!
It is a Latin term meaning "in union" with someone or something!
Now let's apply that to the "communion" of the Spirit. How
are we "in union" with Him? Graciously He lives in us!
We are His Temple! (1st Corinthians 6:19-20) I'd call that
union for sure! Then we also live "in" Him! (Galatians
5:25) Also according to Paul in Galatians 5:16 we "walk in the
Spirit" too! We additionally "worship" in the Spirit!
(Philippians 3:3) And we even "love" in the Spirit!
(Colossians 1:8) Yes, that's union!
LESSON 6, "AMEN:"
Paul used the
word more often than we think.
Of its 78 occurrences in Scripture,
Paul uttered 29 of them. That's 37% of the total!
Then again, think of it this way.
The whole New Testament only
contains the word 49 times. Paul's 29 uses of it constitute a
majority of these ... this time nearly 60%.
What is the word?
"Amen!"
Just
"amen!"
The Apostle
writes, under Holy Spirit inspiration, "amen" most often in the
Epistle to the Romans, 7 times! Then twice each in 1st and 2nd
Corinthians and two more times each in Galatians, Ephesians,
Philippians, 2nd Timothy and Hebrews. "Amen" is also found once
each in Colossians, 1st Thessalonians and 2nd Thessalonians,
Titus and Philemon. But 1st Timothy lists it 3 times!
Amazing! That's
every "Pauline" Epistle!
Paul sure
believed in the word!
I can hear him
now, "Amen!"
Invariably Paul
closes his Books with a good hearty
"amen."
For example, 2nd
Corinthians concludes: "The grace of the
Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the
Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
"Amen!"
The word itself
as Paul understood it had linkage to the Hebrew language. In
fact, it is a loan word from Hebrew to Greek. For that matter
we English speaking folks have borrowed it too!
In Greek it is
spelled: "amen."
In Hebrew,
"amen."
And in English
..."amen!"
Its meaning?
"TRUTH!"
When Jesus says
in our New Testaments "verily verily," He is actually saying
"amen, amen!"
After Paul's
great prayer of blessing in 2nd Corinthians, one of the greatest
in the Bible, he says: TRUTH!
It's all the
TRUTH!
"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and
the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen."
God is triune!
Amen!
He imparts Grace
... and Love and Fellowship!
Truthfully!
And He will never
leave us!
Again, AMEN!
Sunday when you
go to Church, say it yourself ..."amen!"
Say it loudly!
Encourage your
Preacher!
Enliven the
service!
Irritate a
liberal!
Wake a sleeper!
Join the likes of
Paul and his band!
Pre-register for
the language of heaven! Revelation 5:14 and 7:12 and 19:4 and
22:20 prove that for sure!
Begin a good
spiritual habit!
"Amen!"
--- Dr. Mike Bagwell
