2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

I think this is the most difference I have seen between the NIV and the Japanese in any one verse since I started doing my devotions bilingually! Where the NIV says “good by,” the Japanese (and the Greek) says, “rejoice.” That’s certainly different! Then where the NIV says “listen to my appeal,” the Japanese says, “be comforted” (and the Greek says “be encouraged”). Looking at the Greek to compare, I don’t know if the two translations were working from the same original, even. This certainly does point up some of the risks of dealing with translations of all sorts, and the absolute necessity of having the Holy Spirit, as the Author, be our guide in reading Scripture. It is clear that in his parting remarks, Paul is wanting to emphasize some general, helpful admonitions. The two translations certainly agree on the matters of unity, love and peace! Particularly considering the history of the church in Corinth, it’s entirely appropriate that Paul would focus on unity, love, and peace as he closes his last letter to them. The fact that there have been problems of this sort from the earliest days of the Church is no reason to give up. On the contrary, it should be a real encouragement to us all to know that the “great saints of the past,” as we tend to think of them, were just as human, just as much in need of the guidance and correction of the Holy Spirit, as we are. If God could use them, He can use us!

I certainly deal with these issues myself. There is no church so small that it doesn’t need to be careful about unity, love, and peace! I need to keep in mind what Paul wrote to Titus: “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.” (Titus 3:10) Unity is a high priority! I was thankful when one of the believers commented last week that, reading the NT, the various churches sure had a lot of problems! They also recognized that our various problems don’t make us a “bad” church, just a real one. I need to keep that in mind, staying alert against the tricks of the devil that seek to tear us down, and seeking always to hear and obey whatever God is saying about each situation, so that we may indeed walk in the unity, love, and peace that He intends.

Father, thank You for this reminder this morning. Thank You for the message You’ve given Cathy, and for the assurance I have that she is supposed to deliver it. I ask Your full anointing on her as she speaks, and on me as I interpret, that Your Word may come forth in purity, clarity, and power, working Your perfect will in the hearts and lives of all who hear, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!