A Trinitarian Benediction

We have reached the end of our study of 2 Corinthians, which many commentators have regarded as the most personal of the Pauline Epistles. Paul’s heart as a pastor has shone through in his defense of his ministry and his exhortation to the Corinthians.

The Apostle wrote, in part, to correct misunderstandings on the part of the Corinthians after his “painful” visit to them. Critics who found fault with Paul’s change of travel plans were mistaken in thinking that Paul was fickle or dishonest (2Cor. 1–2). These critics, false apostles who sought to undermine Paul, misunderstood the nature of new covenant ministry, which is the work of the Spirit through vessels that are weak in themselves but are God’s instruments of reconciliation that proclaim the gospel that reconciles people to God and to each other (chs. 3–5). Because of this reconciliation, believers must separate themselves from all ungodliness, be restored to those with whom they are at odds, and show their love for other Christians by helping believers in need (chs. 6–9). Moreover, they must not follow after those who would evaluate Christian ministry by external, nonbiblical standards but must follow those through whom God displays His power in weakness. This will foster unity in the church and prevent the need for severe church discipline (chs. 10–13).

None of this is possible, of course, apart from the work of the triune God. Paul closes 2 Corinthians with a Trinitarian benediction that serves as one of the foundational texts for our doctrine of the Trinity (2 Cor. 13:14). The Apostle names all three persons of the Trinity alongside one another, directing our hearts and minds to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the one source of all goodness. From our triune Creator comes all that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), and we will lack nothing if we depend on Him. Every blessing comes from Him, and to Him we must return all praise. We can hardly do better than to conclude with Matthew Henry’s observations on today’s passage. Paul’s benediction “proves the doctrine of the gospel, and is an acknowledgment that Father, Son, and Spirit, are three distinct persons, yet but one God; and herein the same, that they are the fountain of all blessings to men. It likewise intimates our duty, which is to have an eye by faith to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—to live in a continual regard to the three persons in the Trinity, into whose name we were baptized, and in whose name we are blessed.”