Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:18

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." — 2 Thessalonians 3:18 (ASV)

The grace — This is his “salutation.” The Greek secular salutation, at greeting and parting alike, was chaire (literally, rejoice); so St. Paul, both at the beginning and ending, uses a word of similar origin, charis (“grace”). Observe the word “all” again, as in 2 Thessalonians 3:16.

St. Chrysostom’s beautiful comment may well be given: “What he calls his ‘salutation’ is the prayer, showing that the whole business they were engaged in was spiritual. Even when he had to give a salutation, some benefit had to accompany it, and it had to be a prayer, not a mere symbol of friendship. It was with this he would begin, and with this he would end, fencing in what he said with mighty walls on either side; and safe were the foundations he laid, and safe was the conclusion that he placed upon them. Grace to you and peace, he cries; and once more, [Peace always and] the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”