Title: The Lord of Peace Himself
2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 is the end of the letter. It is debatable whether 3:16 should be viewed as the conclusion of the preceding 3:6-15 or as part of the conclusion of the letter. There are structural parallels in Chapters 2 through which verses 16-17 appear to conclude verses 1-15, suggesting that verses 16 are also connected with verses 6-15 in Chapter 3, but 3:16 is effectively 3:5. It is better to connect verse 16 with verses 17-18 and view the three verses together as the concluding part of the letter, as it transcends the specific issues addressed in -15.
Verse 16 is a wish-prayer and takes the form of a benediction. So it could have played a role in ending the letter. But Paul adds a point or two with his own hands. Verse 17 could be said to serve as a kind of “PS” that we use in our letter. But it is not possible to end the letter like that, so Paul adds a second benediction (v. 18).
1. Verse 16: This verse contains two simple wish prayers. Both subjects are “Lord,” that is, “Lord of Peace” and “Lord.” Although the phrase “the peace of Christ” appears in Colossians 3:15, the phrase “the Lord of peace” is uniquely found here in the New Testament. The “Lord” here almost certainly refers to Jesus. Jesus is more connected with peace in the beginning of the letter than in the end of the letter. This is true of all of Paul's epistles except for Colossians. A common occurrence at the end of the letter is the phrase “the God of peace” (1 Thessalonians 5:23; Romans 15:33; 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Phil 4:9). The actual prayer is that the Lord Jesus Himself, characterized by “peace”, gives “peace” to the Thessalonians “everytime and every day”. Christ “made peace through his cross” (Colossians 1:20). Furthermore, he is our peace (Ephesians 2:14). Praying for peace reflects the priest's blessing in the Old Testament (Numbers 6:26).
The expression “every time and every day” shows the breadth of Paul's interest. “Every time” means “always” or “constantly”. The word “every day” means “in all respects” or “in all circumstances.” Paul only said that there was no conflict between the Thessalonian congregation (the conflict caused by the “lazy ones” in s. 3:5-16) or (in light of the persecution and tribulation they experienced) between the congregation and the surrounding community in which they lived. is not thinking of For Paul, peace is also with God (Romans 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:9), with one another in the congregation (1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:9), and finally, to the extent possible, with those outside the community (Romans 12). :18; 1 Thessalonians 3:12) includes a state of well-being and wholeness characterized by reconciled relationships (Romans 5:1-11). Paul goes further and prays that the Lord be with all the Thessalonians. Isn't the best thing for the saints to be with the Lord! The resurrected Lord has promised: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
2. Verse 17: In ancient times, it was common not to write the letter personally, but to dictate it to the scribe (see Romans 16:22). And it was not uncommon for the caller to take a pen from the scribe and write the last one or two sentences with his own hands. Paul seems to have done so habitually. The literal translation of the first half of verse 17 is “Greetings with my own hands--Paul’s”, and the translation “I, Paul, greet you with my own hand” makes good use of the original meaning. The same sentence is found in 1 Corinthians 16:21 (here "to you" in the Korean Bible is not in the original text) and Colossians 4:18. In Galatians 6:11 Paul says, “Look at what my hand wrote to you in such large letters,” and Philemon 19 says, “I, Paul, wrote with my own hand.”
3. Verse 18: This concluding benediction is practically identical to the benediction of 1 Thessalonians 5:28 (see 1 Corinthians 16:23). The difference here is that Paul is not simply saying “to you” but “to all of you” (the same phrase in verses 16 and 18 is translated differently as “all of you” and “all of you,” 18 Verse 16 is better translated as “all of you”). The main predicates in verses 16 and 18 (“Peace Lord,” “Grace”) repeat Paul’s opening salutation, “Grace and peace” in 1:2. In doing so, it forms a single 'inclusive' that unifies the letter.
For Paul, God is the ultimate source of grace (2 Thessalonians 1:2), and on the basis and basis of this “grace” God does all his actions for his people. Indeed, grace is not an attribute of God, but rather a redeeming activity of Christ in His work, death, and resurrection. “Our Lord Jesus Christ” is a full christological phrase, and it reminds us of the main aspects of God's saving work in Christ. The name “Jesus” emphasizes his death. The title “Christ” emphasizes his resurrection. “Lord” expresses the believer's profession of faith in Jesus, the Christ.
In the closing part of the letter (3:16-18), Paul repeats the main ideas and concepts of the opening part (1:12). In doing so, the letter ends as it began. That is, we see it begin and end with a direct spotlight, focus, and emphasis on the Lord Jesus Christ. In the course of the letter, Paul spoke quite a bit about the Thessalonians and their problems, and also a little about the wicked “man of lawlessness.” But in the end, the last words are about Jesus Christ.
He is the one who loved us (3:13), from whom we receive grace and peace (1:2; 1:12; 3:16, 18), and he is faithful and strengthens us and saves us from the evil one. He will protect us (3:3) and will overthrow and destroy the man of lawlessness who represents the wicked (2:8). This will come to pass when he comes to save his people, and his people, who have been recognized worthy of the kingdom of God (1:5), will share in his glory and majesty (1:10; 2:14). Our future depends entirely on the faithfulness and power of God revealed through the Lord Jesus the Messiah, whom God has sent. This was a good place to begin the letter, and we who endure in faith (1:4), with everlasting comfort and good hope (2:16), await the appearing of the Lord Jesus Himself from heaven (1:7). A better place to end a letter for (Michael W. Holmes).
“The Lord of peace Himself grants you peace at all times and in every way, and may the Lord be with you all!”
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!”