Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Thessalonians 3:17

"The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write." — 2 Thessalonians 3:17 (ASV)

Paul has been dictating to an amanuensis (a secretary) up to 3:17 (cf. Romans 16:22; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Colossians 4:18). At this point he takes the pen into his own hand to add a closing greeting.

Though he undoubtedly did this frequently, he calls attention to it only here, in 1 Corinthians 16:21, and in Col 4:18. The greeting in his own hand, “which is the distinguishing mark” in all his letters (v.17), includes the benediction of v.18. Apparently Paul followed this practice consistently, expecting churches where he had served to recall his distinctive handwriting. It was particularly needed in this letter as a deterrent against any attempt to forge a letter in his name (cf. 2:2).

Even when Paul did not call attention to it, a closing benediction came in his own hand. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you” or a near equivalent is found at the close of all Paul’s writings. The present benediction agrees verbatim with that of 1 Thessalonians 5:28 except for the “all” added here. Significantly, no one was excluded from Paul’s good wishes toward this church, not even those he had rebuked at various points.