Finally, Brethren, Farewell — October 2025

This verse is an exhortation that is brief, but it includes all aspects and chief principles of the Christian life. The verse is an exhortation that can be given without hypocrisy only where the gospel is preached, for only the gospel gives comfort in life and in death.

Paul’s farewell calls the believer to rejoice. The believer has every reason to rejoice. Jehovah is his God by sovereign grace. Jehovah, his God, reigns. God has set his king, Jesus Christ, upon his throne over all creation. Who is the recipient of so great a salvation as the brethren, the people of the Lord?

Rejoice, brethren!

When the apostle says, “Be perfect,” he means be refreshed and fitted for your calling. The gospel of the free forgiveness of sins gives joy to believers because that gospel alone refreshes their spirits and strengthens their souls in order that they might carry on in their serious calling to be God’s friends and servants in the world and to stand as God’s representatives over against the sin and darkness of the world.

Be perfect, brethren!

The gospel refreshes and strengthens believers by giving them the good comfort of the gospel-truth of Jesus Christ, the gospel of sovereign and particular grace and the unconditional covenant of God, and the free and full forgiveness of sins, so that they are certain and assured that everlasting righteousness and eternal life are theirs. In that gospel alone there is comfort.

Be of good comfort, brethren!

The gospel alone creates single-mindedness in believers in the truth. Being of one mind in the truth is the unity of believers in Christ. We have the mind of Christ.

Be of one mind, brethren!

In the unity of the truth, there is the blessedness of peace among brethren who live at peace with one another because they are at peace with their God through Jesus Christ their Lord, through faith in the gospel of grace.

Live in peace, brethren!

All such will have the blessed experience of the God of love and peace dwelling with them. He is the God of love and peace in himself. He is the author of all the blessedness of love and peace with God in Jesus Christ. He is the author of the truth of the gospel, of the comfort it gives, of the unity of mind among the brethren in that truth, and of the blessed peace among the brethren that is its work. All glory to the God of love and peace. To all who are so minded, the God of love and peace shall be with you.

So, fellow believers and lovers of the truth, we bid you farewell, brethren.