Λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε, καταρτίζεσθε, παρακαλεῖσθε, τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε, εἰρηνεύετε, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς τῆς ἀγάπης καὶ εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθ’ ὑμῶν. — 2 Corinthians 13:11
The Grammar of Exhortation
This powerful farewell verse from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is packed with imperatives—six of them—followed by a future indicative promise. The Greek unfolds like a poetic litany, calling the church to emotional, spiritual, and communal alignment. By examining the grammatical forms used here, we gain deeper insight into Paul’s pastoral tone, rhetorical strategy, and theology of peace and love.
Imperatives in Action
The majority of verbs in this verse are in the imperative mood, a grammatical form used for commands or exhortations. Paul strings these imperatives together not as isolated orders, but as a sequence building toward a final theological assurance: that ὁ Θεὸς τῆς ἀγάπης καὶ εἰρήνης (“the God of love and peace”) will be with them.
Present Imperative: A Call to Continuous Action
All of the imperative verbs are in the present tense, which in Greek implies a continued or repeated action. Paul is not merely saying “Rejoice once,” or “Be at peace for a moment,” but rather “Keep rejoicing,” “Continue being restored,” “Make unity your constant mindset.” This grammatical choice underscores Paul’s vision of a church that actively maintains unity and peace, not passively rests in it.
Middle/Passive Imperatives: A Communal Process
Two verbs—καταρτίζεσθε and παρακαλεῖσθε—appear in the middle/passive voice, reflecting either reflexive or reciprocal action. That is, “be restored” could mean allowing oneself to be shaped, or actively engaging with others toward mutual maturity. Similarly, “be encouraged” includes the sense of both receiving and offering encouragement. Greek allows this ambiguity, which fits perfectly with Paul’s emphasis on community.
The Future Assurance
All of these commands build to the indicative verb ἔσται—“he will be.” It is the only future tense in the verse, standing out as a divine promise. God is not invoked as a distant force but is named with two defining attributes: ἀγάπη (love) and εἰρήνη (peace). The placement of this promise after the imperatives implies that God’s presence is experienced in the doing of these things. As the church obeys, it dwells with God.
Parsing the Structure
| Greek Verb / Phrase | Root | Tense | Voice | Mood | Person & Number | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| χαίρετε | χαίρω | Present | Active | Imperative | 2nd Person Plural | rejoice |
| καταρτίζεσθε | καταρτίζω | Present | Middle/Passive | Imperative | 2nd Person Plural | be restored / be made complete |
| παρακαλεῖσθε | παρακαλέω | Present | Middle/Passive | Imperative | 2nd Person Plural | be encouraged / encourage one another |
| τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε | φρονέω | Present | Active | Imperative | 2nd Person Plural | be of the same mind |
| εἰρηνεύετε | εἰρηνεύω | Present | Active | Imperative | 2nd Person Plural | live in peace |
| ἔσται | εἰμί | Future | Middle | Indicative | 3rd Person Singular | he will be |
The Imperative of Community
Paul’s final exhortation in 2 Corinthians 13:11 is no mere goodbye—it’s a blueprint for ecclesial life. The grammar itself teaches the theology: continual effort, mutual care, and unity of mind result in the abiding presence of the God of love and peace. The imperatives are not burdens—they are the rhythms of divine fellowship. In the language of command, we hear the heartbeat of communion.
