Paul's Exhortations to the Thessalonian Church 2nd Letter Volume 24

Paul's Benediction to the Church @ Thessalonica

2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. KJV

The Apostle Paul who preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this predominately Gentile city of Thessalonica began his first letter to them telling them how he thanked God the Father for their salvation and how he always made mention of them in his prayers, now concludes his second letter exactly how he began the first one by praying for them and over them for their Divine protection (which they then and we today soarly need constantly) by saying, "Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all." (2 Thessalonians 3:16) (KJV). Paul prays for them to have 'peace' as they sojourn through this world of woe/misery/suffering and this English word 'peace' is translated by the Greek word eirene probably from a primary verb eirō (to join); peace (literally or figuratively); by implication prosperity: - one, peace, quietness, rest, + set at one again.

In other words, peace is what our Lord Jesus Christ desires for us to live in and to live under despite the circumstances, concerns, or chaos that may be at work in our daily lives, for He our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ is Peace and He is our Peace (Ephesians 2:14) when we completely trust and surrender our chaos to Him, for it is He who told us this, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace {and} confidence. In the world you have tribulation {and} trials {and} distress {and} frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" (John 16:33) (Amplified Bible). Paul prayed for each of them to have peace within themselves and also for them to have peace with one another, which was the opposite of what was taking place at the time of this letter with the busybodies at work among them. Paul wanted to see them have peace in their Church always and move beyond the chaos created by meddling brothers and sisters.

Paul dictated this letter to Timothy or Silas and they did the actual writing on parchment paper (a superior paper resembling sheepskin) which was used back then, but Paul wanted them to be in full assurance that every word came from him as he was moved by God the Holy Spirit just as the Apostle Peter described the words written and spoken by the Prophets of old like Jeremiah or Daniel with these words he wrote to the brethren, "[Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal {or} private {or} special interpretation (loosening, solving). For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:20-21) (Amplified Bible).

So Paul includes at the end of every letter he dictates his 'salutation' and this English word is translated by the Greek word aspasmos which means a greeting (in person or by letter): - greeting, salutation; his signature. In other words, the Apostle Paul wanted to do this at the end of every one of his letters to differentiate between his authentic letter and the fake ones that some had put into circulation to the various Churches just as Paul had already warned them of earlier with these words, "But relative to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and our gathering together to [meet] Him, we beg you, brethren, Not to allow your minds to be quickly unsettled {or} disturbed or kept excited {or} alarmed, whether it be by some [pretended] revelation of [the] Spirit or by word or by letter [alleged to be] from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has [already] arrived {and} is here." (2 Thessalonians 2:1-2) (Amplified Bible).

Perhaps Paul did not write the entire letters because of some physical impairment such as eye trouble as he alluded to with these words written to the Galatian Church, "On the contrary, you know that it was on account of a bodily ailment that [I remained and] preached the Gospel to you the first time. And [yet] although my physical condition was [such] a trial to you, you did not regard it with contempt, or scorn {and} loathe {and} reject me; but you received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus [Himself]! What has become of that blessed enjoyment {and} satisfaction {and} self-congratulation that once was yours [in what I taught you and in your regard for me]? For I bear you witness that you would have torn out your own eyes and have given them to me [to replace mine], if that were possible." (Galatians 4:13-15) (Amplified Bible). Finally, as he (Paul) closed everyone of his letters so he does with this second one to the Thessalonian believers as he prays for the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be upon them individually and collectively as a Body of believers, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (2 Thessalonians 3:18) (KJV).

"Note that parting salutation, and let us believe that the God of peace is causing peace for us at all times and in all ways. Even storms are forwarding our boat to its haven, and we shall be borne in with the flood tide of His mercy. Every wind is a home wind to the child of God, setting in from the quarter of His love. Every messenger, however garbed, brings God’s salutation and benediction." F. B. Meyer

"It is very likely that Paul employed an amanuensis generally, either to write what he dictated, or to make a fair copy of what he wrote. In either case the Apostle always subscribed it, and wrote the salutation and benediction with his own hand; and this was what authenticated all his epistles. A measure of this kind would be very necessary if forged epistles were carried about in those times." Adam Clarke

"The Epistle closes, as the Apostle’s custom is, with a benediction: 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.' Grace is pre-eminently a Pauline word; it is found alike in the salutations with which Paul addresses his Churches, and in the benedictions with which he bids them farewell; it is the beginning and the end of his Gospel; the element in which Christians live, and move, and have their being. He excludes no one from his blessing; not even those who had been walking disorderly, and setting at naught the tradition they had received from him; their need is the greatest of all." Expositor's Bible Commentary

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…