Book of 2 Corinthians - Chapter 13 - Verse 11

As the apostle Paul concludes his letter to the Corinthians, he offers his farewell to the brethren, exhorting them to strive for perfection in their Christian walk. By encouraging the believers to be perfect, he is not asking for flawless perfection, but rather spiritual maturity and growth in their faith. He also urges them to seek comfort in each other, showing kindness and support, and to be united in mind and spirit, avoiding division and conflict. Paul emphasizes the importance of living in peace with one another, promoting harmony and unity within the church. By following these guidelines, believers can experience the presence of the God of love and peace in their lives, fostering a community marked by love, harmony, and spiritual growth.

Paul's final advice to the Corinthian believers in this verse is packed with theological significance. The call to be perfect challenges Christians to strive for spiritual maturity and completeness in Christ. The term ‘perfect’ in the original Greek, teleios, carries the idea of reaching full potential or being whole. This perfection is attainable through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.

The exhortation to be of good comfort emphasizes the importance of finding strength and encouragement in God's presence, especially during times of difficulty and struggle. The Greek word used here, parakaleo, also means to exhort or encourage, indicating the need for believers to uplift one another in faith.

Being of one mind and living in peace are essential components of a harmonious Christian community. Unity among believers enables them to effectively fulfill the call to love one another, as Christ commanded. This unity is modeled after the perfect relationship within the triune Godhead, where Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in perfect harmony.

In promising that the God of love and peace will be with them, Paul assures the believers that as they pursue perfection, encouragement, unity, and peace, they will experience a deeper intimacy with God. This divine presence brings comfort, guidance, and assurance of His unfailing love for them.