Finally, An Apostolic Visit

“Finished” and “Finally;” closing words of Jesus in John’s Gospel and of Paul in 2 Corinthians. I tend to read the ending of a book before reading the entire document. Not just a lazy shortcut, it stimulates me to multiple readings of Scripture. Two weeks ago, I read 2 Corinthians three times trying to discern the meaning of Paul’s final phrase, “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.” Last week I read John’s Gospel three times to discover things that were finished when Jesus breathed his last on the cross.

What about Paul’s “finally brothers” (2 Cor. 13:11)? As with Jesus in John, these are not the final words from the apostle. Paul was likely in Corinth when he wrote Romans. Paul’s “finally brothers” indicates to his readers, all of them friends or foes alike, that he has reached the end of a very complex, personal, and passionate letter. For hearers in Corinth, “finally” indicated that the entire document had been read aloud in their worship assembly. In the Corinthian context, “finally” is a pastoral plea for repentance, reconciliation, and unity from God’s messenger before a personal visit from the apostle whom he has commissioned (2 Cor.2:17; 5:20). That visit could be congenial or combative, depending on how they respond to this letter.

Imagine an apostolic visit. For Paul this upcoming “visit” was the third (13:1-10). There are truth questions (v. 8). Were they “in the faith” (v. 5)? Is Christ speaking in Paul (v. 3)? Is Jesus Christ in you (v. 5b)? This visit was about power (vv. 3-4) exemplified in the cross of Jesus and by Paul’s weakness. In hope that the Corinthians will pass the test Paul concludes with 5 imperatives, a promise, a final greeting, and a closing benediction (13:11-14). The apostle Paul is also visiting us in this letter. Our situation may differ from that of the church in Corinth, but not as much as we may think. We are being tested. May we pass the test by living the directives of Paul’s closing words.

—Tom Yoakum