The Closing Salutation with its Autographic Significance
T. Croskery 2 Thessalonians 3:17, 18 The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is the token in every letter: so I write. The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every Epistle: so I write. He takes the pen out of the hand of his amanuensis and writes the closing words himself. I. IT WAS IMPORTANT TO AUTHENTICATE THE EPISTLE. There were letters falsely attributed to him (1 Thessalonians 2:2). It is essential for Christians to know the distinction between the human and the Divine. The Thessalonians would be able to identify his large, bold handwriting (Galatians 6:11). II. THE SALUTATION WAS NOT A MERE SYMBOL OF FRIENDSHIP, BUT A PRAYER FOR HIS BELOVED CONVERTS. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." 1. His Epistles began with prayer; they end with prayer - "fencing round that which he said with mighty walls on either side." 2. All the good he desires for his converts is included in the grace of the God-Man. The prayer implies the Divinity of Christ. His name alone appears in his parting supplication. 3. It is a parting request for all the brethren without exception, including even those who received his rebukes. - T.C. Parallel Verses KJV: The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. WEB: The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write.