Finally, Brethren Farewell
Text: 2 Corinthians 13:11
I. While Paul was in the city of Ephesus:
A. He received a letter from the church in Corinth
B. And a report from the household of Chloe
C. This led Paul to write two letters to deal with the
different problems of the church there.
II. Paul concludes his second letter by saying: Text
Body:
I. Farewell.
A. This is a parting statement that literally means
“to fare or do well.”
B. Here it is used with the idea of rejoicing or being
glad even in parting.
1. Unless it is used as a phase of salutation, it
is translated rejoice, glad, joying.
2. 2 Corinthians 13:9
3. Philippians 3:1
C. Christians are to be happy people.
1. Even in the face of trials.
a. James 1:2
b. Acts 5:41
II. Be perfect.
A. Definition of katartizw
1. Kubo – mend, restore, put in order.
2. Green – to adjust thoroughly; to knit together,
unite completely.
3. Vine – to render fit, complete.
4. Other scriptures:
a. Matthew 4:21
b. 1 Corinthians 1:10 – “perfectly joined
together.”
c. Galatians 6:1 – “restore”
d. 1 Thessalonians 3:10 – “perfectly”
e. Hebrews 11:3 – “were framed”
f. Hebrews 13:21 – “Make…perfect”
g. 1 Peter 5:10 – “Make perfect”
B. These Corinthians were so imperfect, being as yet
babes in Christ when they could and should have
been full-grown. 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
C. The Scriptures emphasizes this point.
1. 2 Corinthians 7:1
2. Colossians 4:12
3. Hebrews 6:1
4. James 1:2-4
D. The Scriptures were given to bring about this
perfection.
1. Colossians 1:28
2. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
E. As we apply the Scriptures to our lives we will
become more and more perfect.
III. Be of good comfort.
A. Definition of comfort.
1. Vine’s – a calling to one’s side; hence, either
an exhortation or consolation, comfort.
2. Curtis E. Flatt – Comfort carries with it the
idea of “calling to one’s side, hence
consolation, especially through exhortation.
B. We should be consoled by the promises and supports
of the gospel. Take comfort from the hopes which
the gospel imparts.
1. Matthew 11:28-30
2. 1 Corinthians 10:13
3. 2 Timothy 4:6-8
4. 1 Peter 1:3-4
C. Comfort one another.
IV. Be of one mind.
A. The Corinthians were, or had been, of several minds
– 1 Corinthians 1:12
B. Such party spirit was and is wrong.
1. 1 Corinthians 1:10
2. Mark 3:24f
3. John 17:20-22
C. Being of one’s mind is possible only if all follow
the standard, speaking where the Bible speaks and
being silent where the Bible is silent.
V. Live in Peace.
A. With God.
1. We were at enmity with God. Romans 5
2. Jesus is the peacemaker between God and man.
3. Once we become a child of God, there is peace
between God and us.
a. Acts 2:36-38
b. 1 John 1:7
B. With men.
1. The Corinthians had not been living in peace.
2. Living in peace results from being of one mind.
3. Romans 12:18-21
Conclusion: If these things are true, the God of love and
peace will be with you.
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