2 Corinthians 13:14 Meaning and Explanation
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul ends a hard letter by gathering the Father, the Son, and the Spirit into a single blessing for everyone.
The Context of 2 Corinthians 13:14
The closing words of the whole letter, spoken over a church Paul has corrected, defended himself to, and loved through real conflict. After everything, he leaves them with a benediction that has been spoken over gathered believers ever since.
What Does 2 Corinthians 13:14 Mean?
Paul names three gifts and the One who gives each. There is the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the undeserved kindness that meets us where we are. There is the love of God, the deep well from which all of it flows. And there is the communion of the Holy Spirit, the shared life and fellowship He creates among those who belong to God. After a letter full of strain, Paul wants all three resting on all of them, with no one left out.
In one short sentence the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are gathered together, each named, each at work for our good. This is the God who saves us: grace reaching down, love holding us, the Spirit drawing us into His own fellowship. Paul could find no better way to say goodbye, and the church has found none better since. We are sent on our way held by the whole life of God.
2 Corinthians 13:14 in the Original Language
koinonia (κοινωνία), 'communion' -- shared life, fellowship, a partnership held in common.
How to Apply 2 Corinthians 13:14 Today
This blessing has been spoken over gathered believers for two thousand years, and it still sends us out the same way: held by grace, love, and the fellowship of the Spirit. We can rest in the truth that the whole life of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is turned toward our good.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 13:14
What does 2 Corinthians 13:14 mean?
Paul ends a hard letter by gathering the Father, the Son, and the Spirit into a single blessing for everyone.
What is the context of 2 Corinthians 13:14?
The closing words of the whole letter, spoken over a church Paul has corrected, defended himself to, and loved through real conflict. After everything, he leaves them with a benediction that has been spoken over gathered believers ever since.
How can I apply 2 Corinthians 13:14 today?
This blessing has been spoken over gathered believers for two thousand years, and it still sends us out the same way: held by grace, love, and the fellowship of the Spirit. We can rest in the truth that the whole life of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is turned toward our good.