May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. -Romans 15:5–7
Paul closes his exhortation by offering a benediction. He prays for those he has just instructed, knowing that unless the God of endurance and encouragement grant them his blessing, his words will have been offered in vain. His prayer is that they would live in harmony with each other as each one seeks to live in harmony (accord) with Christ. It is the harmony of God’s people that allows for their praise to be of one voice.
And because he trusts that God will hear his prayer and grant them to live in such harmony with one another, he follows his benediction with a charge animated by Christ’s example.
May God grant you the grace to live in harmony with one another. And because I know God will grant you the grace to live in harmony with Christ and with one another seeing you are of the company of the redeemed, members of Christ’s new humanity, go and live in harmony! Glorify God with one voice! Just as Christ has welcomed you to the family of God, warts and all, welcome each other for the glory of God!
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