Q.
Would you please share some thoughts on what it means in 2 Corinthians 13:14 “the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all”?
Thank you,
Eric
A.
Hello Eric,
Thanks for the great question! The word communion means fellowship, partnership, joint participation, functioning together as one. The words of 2 Corinthians 13:14 are essentially a benediction, a prayer. Paul writes, “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 thought of “may the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you” could be summarized as “may you experience fellowship with the Holy Spirit.” This fellowship is for all who know the Lord.
At the new birth our spirits are regenerated with the life of God and then we are joined to the Holy Spirit. Just as husband and wife are joined as “one flesh” and can enjoy sweet communion, so “he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit” and can enjoy sweet communion (1 Cor. 6:17). The Spirit is both the leader and power source in this supernatural relationship. What an amazing union!
Communion with the Holy Spirit demands belief in the reality of our union, not just intellectually, but in faith, believing this really is so. Therefore, we can fellowship with the Spirit. We can converse with the Spirit. We can trust His leadership and power. This is walking (communing/fellowshipping) with God. This communion is the privilege of every child of God.
But the communion is not automatic, or Paul would not have prayed as he did. We must in faith avail ourselves of such a privilege. When we do, after not doing so for some time, there is a true reviving effect. Communing with the Spirit accesses life in the Spirit—life again.
John
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I love how the entire verse puts the Lord Jesus Christ, God [the Father], and Holy Ghost all on an equal plane. Think how out of place it would be to say, “and the fellowship of the Apostle Paul” in the same sentence! The verse therefore gives credence to both the Deity of Christ and the Scriptural concept of the Trinity.
Amen! Well said!