When closing a section of writing, or even at the close of an epistle, Paul would often use the words, “Finally, brethren.” That would usually be followed by a few succinct, yet very important, words of exhortation or admonitions. This week I want to look at five of those closings. Let us begin with what Paul wrote to the brethren at Corinth.

2 Corinthians 13:11 (KJV)
¹¹ 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.

The word “perfect” means, “to complete thoroughly,” and carries the idea of repairing or restoring something. The ESV translates this word, “aim for restoration.” The thought is that local church-es should always strive to strengthen themselves in any areas of weakness they might have. That is a wonderful goal for all congregations. No matter how strong a local church is, there is always room for improvement. Let us not forget, a local church is only as strong as its individual members. As individual Christians, let us examine ourselves to see what is lacking, and then do our best to strengthen ourselves in those areas.

Next, Paul encourages the brethren at Corinth to be of good comfort. The life of a Christian should be one of great comfort. We know that, in Christ, we have fellowship with God right now and the hope of heaven to come. No matter what trial of life awaits us, we are assured by God of spending eternity in a better place; a place where there is “no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4). And, even now we should be comforted by the providential care of God that is always pre-sent in our lives. Paul reminds us that the God of love and peace is with us, and, as he said in another place, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” What a comfort it is to know that the God of heaven is never too far from us (Philippians 4:5-7).

Before he closed this epistle, Paul wanted to be sure that these brethren at Corinth would continue to work hard at being united in Christ. He admonished them “to be of one mind.” This was not the first time he encouraged them along these lines. In the first epistle that he wrote to them, he not only instructed them to be of the same mind, but also that there was to be no division among them (1 Corinthians 1:10). A local church can never reach its full potential unless two things are present—a unity of mind concerning the Word of God and a harmonious relationship with one an-other.

Paul had heard from the house of Chloe that the brethren at Corinth were quarreling all the time, and that there were even major disagreements on some aspects of the doctrine of Christ. If they were going to succeed, individually and collectively, they would have to get on the same page and have peace among themselves.

What kind of member of your local church are you? Think about it seriously. Do you contribute to the peace of the congregation, or are you one who causes division among brethren? We should all strive to be of one mind, when it comes to the scriptures, and at peace with every other member of the local church.

If the church at Corinth would apply these admonitions, they would have good success as a local church. Let us all strive to live by these closing comments of Paul.

As you wind down for the night, think on these things.