2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Original Language Analysis
Ἡ
G3588
Ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάρις
The grace
G5485
χάρις
The grace
Strong's:
G5485
Word #:
2 of 21
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
Κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 21
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
5 of 21
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπη
the love
G26
ἀγάπη
the love
Strong's:
G26
Word #:
9 of 21
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Θεοῦ,
of God
G2316
Θεοῦ,
of God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 21
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κοινωνία
the communion
G2842
κοινωνία
the communion
Strong's:
G2842
Word #:
14 of 21
partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἁγίου
of the Holy
G40
Ἁγίου
of the Holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
16 of 21
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
Πνεύματος
Ghost
G4151
Πνεύματος
Ghost
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
17 of 21
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
Cross References
Ephesians 2:22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.Romans 5:5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.1 Corinthians 16:23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.Romans 16:20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.Jude 1:21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.Philippians 2:1If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,1 Corinthians 6:19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?2 Corinthians 8:9For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Historical Context
This benediction became standard in Christian liturgy by the early church. Its Trinitarian structure demonstrates developed Christology and pneumatology by mid-first century, decades before formal Trinitarian creeds. Paul's closing pronouncements were read aloud in worship assemblies, thus this blessing shaped corporate worship from Christianity's earliest decades, forming theological consciousness through liturgical repetition.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this Trinitarian benediction reveal distinct roles of Father, Son, and Spirit in our salvation?
- Why does Paul close a confrontational letter with this blessing—what's the connection between discipline and benediction?
- How does this blessing's liturgical use shape our understanding of the Trinity through repeated worship?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.—This Trinitarian benediction is Christianity's most complete liturgical blessing, explicitly naming all three persons of the Godhead. The grace (hē charis, ἡ χάρις) of the Lord Jesus Christ grounds all blessing in Christ's unmerited favor achieved through incarnation, death, and resurrection.
The love of God (hē agapē tou theou, ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ)—God the Father's eternal, initiating love (John 3:16, Rom 5:8) is the source from which grace flows. The communion of the Holy Ghost (hē koinōnia tou hagiou pneumatos, ἡ κοινωνία τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος)—koinōnia means "fellowship/participation/sharing," describing the Spirit's work creating participation in divine life and mutual fellowship among believers. This blessing names distinct roles: Christ's mediating grace, the Father's originating love, the Spirit's applying communion.
Theologically, this is proto-Trinitarian formulation: three persons, coordinate in blessing, distinct in function, united in redemptive purpose. Used liturgically for centuries, this benediction closes worship by invoking complete divine blessing—relational Trinitarian presence "with you all" (meta pantōn hymōn, μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν).