Often times when Paul would conclude a series of points in an epistle, he would end the closing section with the words, “Finally, brethren…” That would follow with a final point that he wanted to convey to the brethren to whom he wrote. Let us look at a few places where he did this.

“Finally, brethren….be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace…” (2 Cor. 13:11). 

This was certainly an appropriate way of wrapping up this epistle to the saints at Corinth. It has to do with their relationship with each other. To be perfect does not mean to be sinless, rather it points to being complete. Vine says it denotes the idea of making progress. To be perfect is to be heading in the right direction, becoming more mature in Christ and His Word. To be a complete Christian one must have a proper relationship with brethren. We should live in agreement with one another. If we have sinned against a brother in Christ, let us go to him and get it right (Matt. 5:23-24). If a brother has sinned against us, let us go to him and talk about it (Matt. 18:15). Being able to handle sin in this way is a sign of maturity or perfection in Christ. This is what Paul exhorted the saints at Corinth to do.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Eph. 6:10). 

This should be our battle cry every day we go out into the world. The devil is always waiting for us. He is always in attack mode. We must be strong every day if we are to be victorious in this spiritual war in which we are engaged. Being strong means allowing our Lord’s strength to become our own. Paul said we should be strong “in the power of his might.” We must, as Paul goes on to say, put on the whole armor of God, shield ourselves with truth, righteousness, peace, and faith, and arm ourselves with thoughts of heaven and with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. This is what it takes to be strong. It does not happen by accident. We are strong only when we purposely do those things that strengthen us as Christians.

“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…” (Phil. 3:1). 

We have so much to be thankful for as Christians that rejoicing should not be that difficult. The problem is, we too easily take our minds off of what is truly important and get bogged down with the affairs of this world. When we think about what Christ has done for us, we should rejoice. When we think about what we have in Christ we should rejoice (Eph. 1:3; Rom. 8:1; 2 Tim. 2:10; Rev. 14:13; 1 Pet. 1:3-9). When we think about the special privileges we have in Christ (prayer, fellowship, the Lord’s supper, proper worship, etc.), we should rejoice. With these things in view, it should be clear that if a Christian is not rejoicing in the Lord, it is because he has taken his eye off the goal.

“Finally, brethren… think on these things” (Phil. 4:8). 

If there is any doubt about the importance of the things we think about, this verse removes it. We can either fill our minds with worldly things that are unhealthy for our souls, or we can fill our minds with things that are pleasing to God. Which will it be? The devil wants to win the battle for our minds. He knows that if he can fill our minds with sinful things, he can win our souls. On the other hand, if we think about things that are true, honest, and just, we can defeat that old red dragon. We need to fill our minds with the Word of God (Ps. 119:11; Col. 3:16).

“Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thess. 3:1). 

Is there anything more powerful in our possession than prayer? Through prayer, we have direct access to God and His power (Heb. 4:16). In times of weakness, we should pray to our Father for help (Matt. 26:41). In times of prosperity, we should pray, giving thanks to God for the blessings He has given us (1 Thess. 5:18). We should thank God every day for the sending of His Son, and the sacrifice they both were so willing to make (John 3:16; 2 Cor. 8:9).

Finally, brethren, let’s take the exhortations set forth by Paul in these passages and apply them to our lives. We will be better Christians if we do.

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