Scriptures for Closing Meetings on Love Hope Peace

Scriptural passages for closing meetings often emphasize themes of love, hope, and peace, reflecting core Christian virtues and aspirations. These themes are frequently intertwined in biblical texts, offering comfort, encouragement, and a call to live out these principles.

The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, offers a comprehensive closing that touches on these elements: "Finally, 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 KJV) ^[5]. This verse not only exhorts believers to pursue unity and peace but also grounds these aspirations in the very nature of God, who is described as "the God of love and peace" ^[5]. Matthew Henry interprets Paul's valediction here as a call to be "knit together in love," which he sees as greatly beneficial for a Christian society ^[11].

Peace is a recurring biblical theme, often presented as a divine gift and a desired state for individuals and communities. The Psalms speak of "Mercie and trueth shall meete: righteousnes and peace shall kisse one another" (Psalm 85:10 Geneva 1599) ^[1]. This imagery suggests a harmonious relationship between divine attributes that culminates in peace. Torrey's Topical Textbook identifies God as the author of peace (Psalm 147:14; Isaiah 45:7; 1 Corinthians 14:33) and notes that peace results from heavenly wisdom (James 3:17) ^[3]. It is also described as a bond of union (Ephesians 4:3) and a fruit of righteousness (James 3:18) ^[3]. The early church fathers also emphasized peace; Clement of Rome urged adherence to those who "cultivate peace with godliness" ^[14]. The customary parting salutation in ancient times, "Go in peace," or "Farewell," also reflects the deep cultural significance of this concept ^[6].

Hope, another foundational Christian concept, is consistently directed towards God and His promises. The Bible describes hope as being "in God" (Psalm 39:7; 1 Peter 1:21) and "in Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:19; 1 Timothy 1:1) ^[4]. It is obtained through grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16), the Word of God (Psalm 119:81), and the gospel (Colossians 1:5, 23) ^[4]. The Holy Spirit is also identified as the source of hope (Romans 15:13; Galatians 5:5) ^[4]. John Calvin highlights that believers in difficult circumstances find hope in God's readiness to hear them, citing passages like Isaiah 55:3-4 and Jeremiah 23:5-6 ^[8]. For the prophet Jeremiah, having God as one's portion is the "one only foundation of hope" (Lamentations 3:24) ^[10]. Augustine of Hippo, in his City of God, suggests that a person mature in faith, hope, and love may not need the Scriptures for personal sustenance, but rather for instructing others, implying the self-sufficiency of these graces ^[9]. He also concludes his work On the Holy Trinity with a reflection on faith, hope, and love, indicating their central importance ^[15].

Love is often presented as the supreme virtue, encompassing and fulfilling the law. Ecclesiastes 3:8 notes that there is "a time to love, and a time to hate" ^[2]. The "kiss of charity" or "holy kiss" mentioned in Romans 16:16 and 1 Peter 5:14 was a token of love to God and fellow believers, signifying the inseparability of love and holiness ^[7]. The early Christian community was encouraged not to neglect meeting together, but rather to use these gatherings to "motivate one another to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:25) ^[12]. This mutual encouragement is particularly important in light of Christ's return ^[12]. Clement of Alexandria connects patience, experience, and hope to the love of God, which is "shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:4-5) ^[13].

These three virtues—love, hope, and peace—are not merely abstract concepts but are presented as active principles for Christian living and community. They provide a robust framework for concluding gatherings, reminding participants of their divine source and their practical implications for daily life.

Sources

Psalms “Psalms 85:10 (Geneva1599) — Mercie and trueth shall meete: righteousnes and peace shall kisse one another.”
Ecclesiastes “a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. -- Ecclesiastes 3:8”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Peace — God is the author of -- Ps 147:14; Isa 45:7; 1Co 14:33. Results from Heavenly wisdom. -- Jas 3:17. The government of Christ. -- Isa 2:4. Praying for rulers. -- 1Ti 2:2. Seeking the peace of those with whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Necessary to the enjoyment of life -- Ps 34:12,14; 1Pe 3:10,11. God bestows upon those who Obey him. -- Le 26:6. Please him. -- Ps 16:7. Endure his chastisements. -- Job 5:17,23,24. Is a bond of union -- Eph 4:3. The fruit of righteousness should be sown in -- Jas 3:18. The church shall enjoy -- Ps 125:5; 128:6; Isa 2:4; Ho 2:18. Sain”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 13:11 — Finally, 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.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Salutation — Salutations may be classed under the two heads of conversational and epistolary. The salutation at meeting consisted in early times of various expressions of blessing, such as "God be gracious unto thee," (Genesis 43:29) "The Lord be with you;" "The Lord bless thee." (Ruth 2:4) Hence the term "bless" received the secondary sense of "salute." The salutation at parting consisted originally of a simple blessing, (Genesis 24:60) but in later times the form "Go in peace," or rather "Farewell" (1 Samuel 1:17) was common. In modern times the ordinary mode of add”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 5:14: kiss of charity-- Rom 16:16, "an holy kiss": the token of love to God and the brethren. Love and holiness are inseparable. Compare the instance, Act 20:37. Peace--Peter's closing salutation; as Paul's is, "Grace be with you," though he accompanies it with "peace be to the brethren." "Peace" (flowing from salvation) was Christ's own salutation after the resurrection, and from Him Peter derives it. be with you all that are in Christ Jesus--The oldest manuscripts omit "Jesus." In Eph 6:24, addressed to the same region, the same limitation of the salu”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 42: people,” ( Isa. 55:3, 4 ); intimating, that believers, in calamitous circumstances, could have no hope, had they not this testimony that God would be ready to hear them. In the same way, to revive their drooping spirits, Jeremiah says, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely,” ( Jer. 23:5, 6 ). In Ezekiel also it is said, “I will set”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 2: Augustine — City of God, Christian Doctrine — CHAP. 39.--HE WHO IS MATURE IN FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE, NEEDS SCRIPTURE NO LONGER.: 43. And thus a man who is resting upon faith, hope and love, and who keeps a firm hold upon these, does not need the Scriptures except for the purpose of instructing others. Accordingly, many live without copies of the Scriptures, even in solitude, on the strength of these three graces. So that in their case, I think, the saying is already fulfilled: "Whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be”
Lamentations (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Lamentations 3:24: (Num 18:20; Psa 16:5; Psa 73:26; Psa 119:57; Jer 10:16). To have God for our portion is the one only foundation of hope.”
2 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Corinthians 13:11: Thus the apostle concludes this epistle with, I. A valediction. He gives them a parting farewell, and takes his leave of them for the present, with hearty good wishes for their spiritual welfare. In order to this, 1. He gives them several good exhortations. (1.) To be perfect, or to be knit together in love, which would tend greatly to their advantage as a church, or Christian society. (2.) To be of good comfort under all the sufferings and persecutions they might endure for the cause of Christ or any calamities and disappointments they might meet with in ”
Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 10:25: 10:25 Some in this Christian community had evidently begun to neglect their meeting together in regular worship, perhaps to avoid persecution (10:32-39). • Our motivating one another to love and good works should be done in light of the day of his return, Christ’s second coming (9:28; Luke 12:42-46; 1 Cor 5:5; 1 Thes 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10; 1 Jn 2:28).”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. XXII.--PLATO'S OPINION, THAT THE CHIEF GOOD CONSISTS IN ASSIMILATION TO GOD, AND ITS AGREEMENT WITH SCRIPTURE. (part 3): unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."[2] And viewing the hope as twofold--that which is expected, and that which has been received --he now teaches the end to be the restitution of the hope. "For patience," he says, "worketh experience, and experience hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit that is given to us."[3] On ac”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. XV.--WE MUST ADHERE TO THOSE WHO CULTIVATE PEACE, NOT TO THOSE WHO MERELY PRETEND TO DO SO.: Let us cleave, therefore, to those who cultivate peace with godliness, and not to those who hypocritically profess to desire it. For [the Scripture] saith in a certain place, "This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me."(1) And again: "They bless with their mouth, but curse with their heart."(2) And again it saith, "They loved Him with their mouth, and lied to Him with their tongue; b”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 122.--CONCLUSION.: But now there must be an end at last to this volume. And it is for yourself to judge whether you should call it a hand-book, or should use it as such. I, however, thinking that your zeal in Christ ought not to be despised, and believing and hoping all good of you in dependence on our Redeemer's help, and loving you very much as one of the members of His body, have, to the best of my ability, written this book for you on Faith, Hope, and Love. May its value be equal to its length.”

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