It Starts Small

¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

¹⁷ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

¹⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16-18

Lord of peace himself give you peace

Paul fervently appeals to the Lord, the ultimate source of peace (John 14:27; Romans 5:1), imploring Him to bestow His divine peace upon the beleaguered church at Thessalonica. This community was grappling with overwhelming trials, relentless persecution, and internal turmoil. Some members were causing disorder. However, Paul believes that the Lord’s transcendent peace can envelop the congregation. It can soothe their troubled hearts and bring harmony among them. With deep affection, Paul yearns for the Lord’s peace to reside with the church eternally. He desires it to permeate every moment. He hopes it touches every circumstance they face.

It is interesting to observe that he prays not only for the Lord’s peace to be with the Thessalonians. He also prays for the “Lord of peace” to be with them. Further, he prays for this peace to be with “all” the believers at Thessalonica. Earlier in the letter, Paul referred to fellow Christians who were sinning through laziness and gossip. All the same, this prayer is for the idle as well as for the obedient believers. It was for the shirkers as well as the workers. A peaceful church experiences the Lord’s joy. It also experiences His peace (Philippians 4:2–7). Additionally, it projects a good testimony to the lost (Philippians 2:14–15).

This is how I write.

Based on this powerful verse and other compelling pieces of evidence, it becomes clear. False teachers had the audacity to send misleading letters to the Thessalonian church. They deceitfully signed them with the apostle Paul’s name. Consider, for instance, how in some of Paul’s other heartfelt letters, he speaks out against these falsehoods surrounding his teachings. See Romans 3:8. He also emphasizes that he personally inscribes certain vital words to affirm their authenticity. Refer to Colossians 4:18 and Philemon 1:19. Paul boldly attached his signature to the letter. He wanted to bring comfort and certainty to the Thessalonians. His unique handwriting likely reflected a style so distinctive. His trusted associates would easily recognize it, as noted in (Galatians 6:11).

Paul infused his signature style into other New Testament letters. This can be clearly noted in Galatians 6:11, 1 Corinthians 16:21, and Colossians 4:18. Remarkably, some scholars speculate that Paul wrestled with an eye ailment or injury. It may have been a harsh legacy from the brutal mob that stoned him in Lystra (Acts 14:19). Others believe he fell victim to a serious eye disease in the lowlands of Galatia. This region was rife with such ailments. Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 12:7 alludes to Paul’s notorious “thorn…in the flesh.” Many passionately speculate this could very well be linked to his eye troubles.

Sometimes, Paul poured his heart into his letters. He dictated them to a trusted companion. Yet, he always made it a point to add a few heartfelt concluding remarks in his own handwriting. This intimate practice was quite common in ancient times, where such devoted writing aides were referred to as an amanuensis. A vivid illustration of this connection is beautifully captured in Romans 16:22. Imagine the joy of the Thessalonians. They beheld Paul’s signature at the end of his letter. It was a true emblem of his love and commitment to them.

grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all

In this powerful verse, Paul erupts with a fervent benediction. He invokes the boundless grace of our Lord Jesus Christ over all the Thessalonian believers. He uses the pronoun “our” from his heart. This pulsates with the depth of the personal bond he shared with the Thessalonians. It was a relationship forged in faith. They were his, and in the most profound way, he was also theirs, eternally united through their unwavering belief.

Divine grace is a magnificent gift, God’s unmerited favor that transforms our very existence. By grace, we are saved, as boldly proclaimed in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved.” This grace empowers us to endure the fiercest trials, igniting a fire within us. Paul faced profound struggles. He pleaded with the Lord to remove his thorn in the flesh. The answer was not what he sought. Nevertheless, the Lord declared that His grace was sufficient for Paul. This declaration echoes through the ages. It reminds us that even in our deepest struggles, His grace is an unwavering strength. This strength carries us forward (2 Corinthians 12:8–9).

That same all-sufficient grace is magnificently available to every person who belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ! In 2 Timothy 2:1, we are passionately reminded that divine grace empowers us in our daily struggles. Titus 2:11–13 beautifully articulates that God’s grace is not just a gentle whisper. It actively trains us to forsake ungodliness and worldly passions. It encourages us to embrace self-control, righteousness, and godliness in this present age. We eagerly await our blessed hope—the glorious return of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ! Thus, Paul’s heartfelt benediction serves as a perfect and uplifting conclusion to his letter.

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Discussion Questions

• What distinguishing mark might Paul be referring to?
• What is the importance of writing the letter with his own hand?
• Wouldn’t he normally do that?

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