Olney Hymns · Chapter
2 Corinthians 13:14 explained
A prayer invoking the grace of Christ, the love of the Father, and the favor of the Holy Spirit to rest upon believers, fostering unity and communion with God and each other, and granting joys beyond earthly reach.
What happens
A prayer invoking the grace of Christ, the love of the Father, and the favor of the Holy Spirit to rest upon believers, fostering unity and communion with God and each other, and granting joys beyond earthly reach.
Themes in this chapter
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The poem opens with a plea for the grace of Christ, emphasizing unearned divine favor.
Communion with Saints in Glory
The desire for sweet communion and union with the Lord and each other reflects the theme of fellowship among believers.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
Invoked as the source of grace.
- God
Mentioned as the Father whose boundless love is sought.
- The Holy Spirit
Implored for His favor to rest upon believers.
- The Saints
The recipients of the blessing, abiding in union and communion.
Key passages
“May the grace of Christ our Saviour, And the Father’s boundless love, With the Holy Spirit’s favour, Rest upon us from above!”
Let the unmerited favor of Jesus, the infinite affection of God the Father, and the blessing of the Holy Spirit be poured out upon us from heaven.
This opening stanza is a direct poetic rendering of the apostolic benediction.
“Thus may we abide in union With each other and the Lord; And possess in sweet communion, Joys which earth cannot afford.”
In this way, may we remain united with one another and with Christ, experiencing a fellowship that brings heavenly joys beyond anything this world can offer.
The second stanza emphasizes the communal and spiritual blessings that flow from the divine favor.