2 Corinthians 13:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
2 of 19
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
χαίρετε
farewell
G5463
χαίρετε
farewell
Strong's:
G5463
Word #:
3 of 19
to be "cheer"ful, i.e., calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation (on meeting or parting), be well
καταρτίζεσθε
Be perfect
G2675
καταρτίζεσθε
Be perfect
Strong's:
G2675
Word #:
4 of 19
to complete thoroughly, i.e., repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust
παρακαλεῖσθε
be of good comfort
G3870
παρακαλεῖσθε
be of good comfort
Strong's:
G3870
Word #:
5 of 19
to call near, i.e., invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸ
be of one
G846
αὐτὸ
be of one
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 19
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
φρονεῖτε
mind
G5426
φρονεῖτε
mind
Strong's:
G5426
Word #:
8 of 19
to exercise the mind, i.e., entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain d
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεὸς
the God
G2316
θεὸς
the God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
12 of 19
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπης
of love
G26
ἀγάπης
of love
Strong's:
G26
Word #:
14 of 19
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
15 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰρήνης
peace
G1515
εἰρήνης
peace
Strong's:
G1515
Word #:
16 of 19
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
Cross References
Hebrews 12:14Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:Romans 12:16Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.Romans 15:33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.1 Corinthians 1:10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.Mark 9:50Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.Romans 12:18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.1 Peter 3:11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.2 Corinthians 13:9For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.2 Corinthians 13:14The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.James 1:4But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Historical Context
Corinth's church was fractured by divisions (1 Cor 1:10-12), competitive spiritual pride (1 Cor 12-14), and worldly values infiltrating Christian community. Paul's closing imperatives directly address these issues, calling them from factionalism to unity, from immaturity to perfection, from conflict to peace—transformation possible only through God's presence.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Paul's four imperatives (be perfect, be comforted, be of one mind, live in peace) address root issues in church conflict?
- What is the relationship between our obedience to these commands and God's presence with us?
- Why does Paul call them 'brethren' after such stern warnings—what does this reveal about church discipline?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Finally, brethren, farewell—The Greek loipon (λοιπόν, "finally") and chairete (χαίρετε, "rejoice/farewell") signal closing exhortations. Paul transitions from stern warning to brotherly encouragement. Be perfect (katartizesthe, καταρτίζεσθε, "be restored/complete/mended")—present imperative, ongoing process of being made complete, using the verb form of katartisis from v. 9.
Be of good comfort (parakaleisthe, παρακαλεῖσθε, "be encouraged/comforted"), be of one mind (to auto phroneite, τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε, "think the same thing"—unity, not uniformity), live in peace (eirēneuete, εἰρηνεύετε, "be at peace")—four imperatives addressing Corinthian dysfunction: immaturity, discouragement, factionalism, conflict. The promise: the God of love and peace shall be with you—God's presence accompanies obedience to these commands, showing divine initiative enables human response.