Finally, brethren, farewell.  Become complete.  Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (12) Greet one another with a holy kiss.  (13) All the saints greet you. 

The 2nd letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul.  Paul founded the church at Corinth for strategic purposes – it was a large commercial city and a gateway to all parts of the Roman Empire so the gospel would easily be spread. Corinth was a pagan city steeped in idol worship and sexual worship practices. There was a cult of the young and fit  as this was the site of the Isthmian Games, so prominent in that ancient world – the culture was the opposite of Christian fundamental values and stressed the material world.  Into this world Paul arrived on his second missionary journey. He preached the gospel of Christ crucified and raised from the dead for the redemption of the fallen man.  Paul preached eternal life  and that faith in Christ Jesus was all that was necessary for salvation – real faith that would transform men/women from transitory figures of the night to children of the light.  On top of the culture wars in Corinth the false teachers arrived. Motivated by Paul’s success with the gospel these false teachers attacked both Paul’s apostleship and character – meaning they  challenged his gospel and ministry.

In his letters to the Corinthians Paul is addressing the problems of conduct in the church, conduct in the relations of Christians with each other; strife and division in the church and abuse of spiritual gifts – he is defending himself and his authority because sin must be corrected. This is not about temporal power, it is about eternal life or death. Paul is presenting his final challenge and closing words to the Corinthians in our verses today.  Paul expects the Corinthians to challenge their faith by testing themselves as to the cause and source of eternal life. If the Corinthians believe that they are saved ONLY by Christ then they are really transformed and their belief is to guide their actions as specifically outliined in our verses today.  These actions are commands, not suggestions, and also linked to a promise for those who obey God’s will. We depend on God, not the other way around And God promises peace to those who trust in Him.

And finally Paul reminds the Corinthians that there is a larger world out there and the church is a bigger body – the blessings that will flow from that union with Christ’s church are grace, love and peace.