Austin Bible Church
There are five imperatives by which our nation can be delivered. In 2 Corinthians 13:11, the first imperative is to “rejoice” and is the present active imperative of χαίρω (chairō) and means to keep on possessing inner happiness, to keep on rejoicing. Note that before this first imperative, the word “finally” is λοιποί (loipoi) and is used adverbially and means “as for the rest is concerned.” The first command is to become a mature believer in the spiritual life! A command to take in Bible doctrine on a daily basis, a crash program if needed and staying with it. The idea is, “Where do we go from here?” “What hope do we have?” We also have a vocative plural of ἀδελφός (adelphos) which addresses all believers in the Body of Christ, members of the family of God.
“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11, NASB)
The characteristics of a mature believer are capacity for freedom, capacity for life, capacity for love, and capacity for happiness. The greatest weapon we have in preserving our nation is the mature believer. How many do we have in this country? The concept is an equipped home, many equipped homes, and an equipped nation.
The second imperative is to “be made complete” and is the present passive imperative of καταρτίζω (katartizō). This is the believer receiving doctrine and thus being stabilized. The second command is for believers in the nation to reach spiritual maturity.
This word is used in five different ways in the New Testament. It is used a mechanical term in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “to tune up the machine.” It is used as a commercial fishing term in 1 Peter 5:10, “mending fishing nets.” It is used as a medical term in Galatians 6:1, “to set a broken bone.” It is used as a naval functional term in 1 Thessalonians 3:10, “to supply a fleet so that it may operate.” It is used as a military term in 1 Corinthians 13:11 “to equip an army for combat.” Bible doctrine equips a believer for combat, for the function of the spiritual life in spiritual maturity.
"Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1:10, NASB)
"After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." (1 Peter 5:10, NASB)
"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, NASB)
"as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?" (1 Thessalonians 3:10, NASB)
Achieving the first two imperatives are achieved in the same way - the daily, persistent, and consistent intake of Bible doctrine. Bible doctrine should be more important than anything else in your life. The members of the family of God are to keep on having inner happiness, to keep on being equipped with a constructed edification complex of the soul.
The third imperative is to “be comforted” and is the present passive imperative of παρακαλέω (parakaleō). In the passive voice, this means to keep on receiving warning, to keep on receiving comfort, to keep on receiving encouragement. The believer receives warning and comfort from the Bible doctrine already assimilated and from what is currently being learned. This is the daily function of the grace apparatus for perception.
The fourth imperative is to “be like-minded” and is the present active imperative from the verb φρονέω (phroneō) and means to think objectively, to be “one minded.” It means to have Bible doctrine in the heart, in the right lobe of the soul. It is referring to the frame of reference, the memory center, vocabulary, and the conscience. It means to keep on thinking objectively with divine viewpoint. Rom. 12:3. Phil. 2:1-2.
“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3, NASB)
“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” (Philippians 2:1-2, NASB)
The fifth imperative is to “live in peace” and is the present active imperative of εἰρηνεύω (eirēneuō) and means to live in harmony and prosperity, blessing, benefit, profit, to be prospered, to be at peace with your enemies.
The conclusion from keeping these five imperatives is that “the God of love and peace will be with you.” This is the future active indicative of εἰμί (eimi) and means that this is the future for our country. Today, we are in apostacy that has almost taken over Christianity. However, we have Bible doctrine! The believer’s attitude towards Bible doctrine, your own self-discipline, your respect for your pastor-teacher, and your respect for authority will carry us through!
The corrected translation of 2 Corinthians 13:11 is, “For the rest of it, members of the family of God, keep on having inner happiness, keep on being equipped, keep on receiving comfort, keep on thinking objectively, be living in prosperity, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”