This evening we are gathering to read the final two chapters of 2 Corinthians. Paul ends this letter with the following benediction: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” Although Paul speaks of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit throughout his letters, this is the only place where the three are invoked within this same formula. The only other place in the New Testament that uses a Trinitarian formula is Jesus’ Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19. Biblical scholarship generally tells us that Matthew’s Gospel was written after the martyrdom of the apostles, and therefore, here we have the first written Trinitarian formula in the Church.
This week will be Rob’s last week with us. Next week we start on a short study of the Lord’s Prayer. Dinner is a 6. The menu is meatballs. Discussion at 6:45. Hope to see you here.
Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace with be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:11