King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 13:14 Mean?

2 Corinthians 13:14 in the King James Version says “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The...” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 13 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.”

2 Corinthians 13:14 · KJV

GraceLove

Context

12

Greet one another with an holy kiss.

13

All the saints salute you.

14

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas.

Read 2 Corinthians 13 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.—This Trinitarian benediction is Christianity's most complete liturgical blessing, explicitly naming all three persons of the Godhead. The grace (hē charis, ἡ χάρις) of the Lord Jesus Christ grounds all blessing in Christ's unmerited favor achieved through incarnation, death, and resurrection.

The love of God (hē agapē tou theou, ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ)—God the Father's eternal, initiating love (John 3:16, Rom 5:8) is the source from which grace flows. The communion of the Holy Ghost (hē koinōnia tou hagiou pneumatos, ἡ κοινωνία τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος)—koinōnia means "fellowship/participation/sharing," describing the Spirit's work creating participation in divine life and mutual fellowship among believers. This blessing names distinct roles: Christ's mediating grace, the Father's originating love, the Spirit's applying communion.

Theologically, this is proto-Trinitarian formulation: three persons, coordinate in blessing, distinct in function, united in redemptive purpose. Used liturgically for centuries, this benediction closes worship by invoking complete divine blessing—relational Trinitarian presence "with you all" (meta pantōn hymōn, μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν).

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Historical & Cultural Context

This benediction became standard in Christian liturgy by the early church. Its Trinitarian structure demonstrates developed Christology and pneumatology by mid-first century, decades before formal Trinitarian creeds. Paul's closing pronouncements were read aloud in worship assemblies, thus this blessing shaped corporate worship from Christianity's earliest decades, forming theological consciousness through liturgical repetition.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this Trinitarian benediction reveal distinct roles of Father, Son, and Spirit in our salvation?
  2. Why does Paul close a confrontational letter with this blessing—what's the connection between discipline and benediction?
  3. How does this blessing's liturgical use shape our understanding of the Trinity through repeated worship?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 21 words
Ἡ1 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χάρις2 of 21

“The grace”

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

τοῦ3 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Κυρίου4 of 21

“of the Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

Ἰησοῦ5 of 21

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ6 of 21

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

καὶ7 of 21

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡ8 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀγάπη9 of 21

“the love”

G26

love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

τοῦ10 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Θεοῦ,11 of 21

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καὶ12 of 21

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἡ13 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κοινωνία14 of 21

“the communion”

G2842

partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction

τοῦ15 of 21
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἁγίου16 of 21

“of the Holy”

G40

sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)

Πνεύματος17 of 21

“Ghost”

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

μετὰ18 of 21

“be with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

πάντων19 of 21

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑμῶν20 of 21

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἀμήν21 of 21

“Amen”

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 13:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 13:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 2:22Romans 5:51 Corinthians 16:23Romans 16:20Jude 1:211 Corinthians 6:19

Test Your Knowledge

2 Corinthians 13 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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