This word, used by the great apostle of the Gentiles five times in his letters, is suggestive in its connections of the close of another year, and of the termination with it of the writer’s service in connection with this serial.
The word, as it stands by itself alone, outside of all connections, is a sad one as we use it in ordinary conversation: it indicates the end and wind up and finish of things here, all this belongs to that which is seen, to that which is temporal and fading away; it speaks of change and decay in all around, the dying year is the ‘finally’ of 1895; how blessed to know we are thus far nearer to that bright and blessed moment when His shout of relationship (6,8,bF:") will put in motion by His word all His own, living or sleeping in the tomb, so that raised or changed they rise to meet Him and to be with Him for ever. Thank God, there will be no finish to the rest and blessedness of that.
Let us just look at each of the five passages where we do find this valedictory exhortation.
1. Eph. 6:1010Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10): “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord.” This exhortation is in its own appropriate place where fighting is in question; you will find the same exhortation to being strong in the Lord in the Book of Joshua, spoken to him, too, by Jehovah Himself—it was not spoken to any other man in the history of Israel; they were then in the very circumstances to have it addressed to Joshua: they were on the eve of taking possession of that which was then possessed by the enemy’s gods. Further, that in which their strength alone could lie is very blessedly expressed in the words, “in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
2. The second passage in moral order, too, as I judge, is Phil. 4:88Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8). Here it is the power of the heart being occupied with good, the Lord knows the terrible tendency of our poor hearts to be occupied with evil, hence the apostle’s exhortation. It is very blessed to have the habit of living in what is good in this world, where we are constantly compelled to have to do with what is evil, to have the heart toned and tuned to take delight in those things that God delights in. Further, you will notice here that this walk in the delight of heart in what is good, is in the power of the life of Christ given, and the flesh reckoned dead; another has said: “If I look to walk after Christ, I must reckon myself dead. I never say I must die, because this would be to suppose the flesh there working; of course it is there, but I say it is dead . . . The spring from which all power is, that you have died.”
3. If you turn to 2 Thess. 3:11Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: (2 Thessalonians 3:1), you will find the third instance of the use of this word in another connection. “Finally, brethren, pray for us” Here it is the desire of the apostle’s soul to be upheld by the prayers of the Thessalonian Christians; it supposes their habit of dependence on God, by which he longed to be sustained in his ministry; it is very sweet to see here the expression on the one hand of confidence in God, in seeking to be thus remembered by them before Himself; and on the other; the confidence of his heart in their love and affection. “Finally, brethren, pray for us.”
4. This instance is in Phil. 3:11Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. (Philippians 3:1), it is “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord.” It is such a suited termination of an epistle, where the word joy (P"D"), in many variations of the word, is continually found. This is made all the more striking
when we remember that the letter is from prison, so that every external circumstance which could in any way be supposed to contribute to this blessed servant of Christ in his exile was excluded; there was nothing in the prison walls of Nero’s dungeon to minister to his joy; but there are three little words here which reveal the secret and explain the word alway in chapter 4:4: these are golden words, may we take them in and prove their blessedness and power—“in the Lord”—here is an unfailing and unchanging ground of comfort and delight, here are no clouds or shadows, here it is all clear shining of the sun. Dear reader, may we know and enter into it.
5. The last instance is 2 Cor. 13:1111Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Corinthians 13:11). Here it is what we may call purely valedictory, his loving farewell (P"\D,J,) “Finally, brethren, rejoice.” This is one of the foremost among those described in Gal. 5:2222But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Galatians 5:22), as fruit of the Spirit; but he says further, “be perfect”—the meaning of this is the fitting together as the pieces in a mosaic (6"J"DJ\.,F2,); but there is more, “be of good comfort.” This is as in the midst of many dangers, temptations, and sorrows around them. Alas! there is on every side abundance to cast down and overwhelm the spirit, how blessed to find even the smallest encouragement
(for that is the force of the word B"D"6"8XT) in the sense that there is one who is called to your side, and is on your behalf and for you through it all. Oh, that we may rejoice in all the blessed consolation this imparts. Further, he says, “be of one mind”—“that is, think the same thing (JÎ "ßJÎ ND@<,ÃJ,). What an exhortation! And who but the blessed Spirit of God, in ungrieved power in the souls of His own, could bring about such sameness of mind and heart amid the endless contrarieties and divergence of thought and view existing at this time.
Once more mark his words, “live in peace”—that is, let peace be the atmosphere of your life. It is well to remember that peace without with others flows from peace within; it is thus that we are sandaled as to our feet. May it be so with all who read these words. Lastly, note the promise, “and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” His companionship and presence are thus pledged all along the way.
The Lord grant to all my readers a very distinct sense of such blessed help and stay, for Christ’s sake. “Finally, brethren, farewell.”