2 Corinthians 13:11 - Christian Perfection.
2Co.13:11; Christian Perfection.
2 Cor 13:11 (KJV) Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be
of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love
and peace shall be with you.
The phrase in this passage that jumps out at me is the
admonition to be perfect.
Other translations or paraphrases of this phrase go as follows:
Be made complete; NASB
Mend your ways; RSV
Put things in order; NRSV
Aim for perfection; NIV
Strive for perfection; TEV
Try to be complete; NCV
Continue to grow in the Lord; CWR
Grow in Christ; TLB
A better statement to convey the total picture here might be a
combination of these translations:
I like; Be made complete - as you continue to grow in Christ -
mending your ways and striving for perfection.
We find a similar statement, in regards to growing in Christ and
striving for perfection, given as a command by our precious Lord in
Mat.5:48; Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven
is perfect.
The word perfect here implies full development, growth into
maturity of godliness. [Scofield SB]
Perfection requires a relationship with Christ i.e. we need to
be born again or converted. We need to have chosen to give up our
old selfish and sinful ways of living and let Christ through the
Holy Spirit guide and direct our daily lives. For this to
materialize we need to breathe the spiritual air of prayer and feed upon the
spiritual food of the Bible and from these will flow the springs of living
water in sharing and service.
Child of mine, This journey we are on together is forward
looking. The destination is ever before you. You have not arrived, but
you are on your way. Press on. Take hold of that glorious purpose
for which Jesus Christ has taken hold of you. His purpose is that
you know him, that you become like him, that your life become a
channel through which his love can flow to others. His purpose is that
you spend eternity enjoying me, starting now! God [Postcards from
Heaven by Claire Cloninger re Phi.3:12]
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