In view of his intention to visit them again the apostle urged them to personal examination. They were to test themselves, and to prove themselves whether they were in the faith. The reason for his appeal, he urged, was not that he might be approved, but that they might do right.
All this long-continued argument of the apostle can hardly be read without a consciousness of his deep anxiety that the Corinthians should understand him, and know that the only motive prompting him in all his dealings with them was love of them. And yet, while thus anxious that they should understand him, he desired far more that they should be right themselves with the Lord.
The last words are words of cheer. A series of brief exhortations is first given, indicating what the Corinthians' true attitude should be. "Farewell," which here is not equivalent to "Good-bye," but rather to "Rejoice." "Be perfected," or "Be fully equipped." "Be comforted," an injunction carrying the thought back to the beginning of the letter, in which the apostle dealt so fully with the comfort of God, which comes to all the afflicted. "Be of the same mind," carrying the thought back still further, to the beginning of his first letter, in which he introduced his first corrective section by a similar injunction. "Live in peace," the all-inclusive word, for peace pre-supposes purity, and is the very condition of power.
After the injunctions comes the declaration, "The God of love and peace shall be with you."
The whole passage closes with the benediction. First, "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ," because it is through Him grace has had its! Epiphany, and through Him we have access to the Father. Then "the love of God," for that lies ever at the heart of all blessing, being the infinite fountain from which the streams flow forth. And, finally, "the communion of the Holy Spirit," for it is through such fellowship that the blessings of grace are realized and the love of God is shed abroad in the heart.