"The Lord be with you all."
Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:16
APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION
As usual, the apostle concluded his epistle with a benediction.
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace
always in every way. The Lord be with you all.
The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is
a sign in every epistle; so I write. The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
2 Thessalonians 3:16-18
1. Pronouncement of a Benediction
a) It is essentially a prayer of blessing.
b) It is normal for the apostolic servants of God to conclude their epistles with a benediction.
2. Appreciating the content of the Benediction
a) The Source of this blessing
This is to be traced to the “Lord of peace Himself”.
b) The blessing of Peace
i) Peace amidst trials and tribulation.
ii) To be found in the Person of the Lord Himself.
iii) The peace of God is truly profound and it is to be deeply appreciated.
c) The blessing of Grace
i) Grace to cope with suffering.
ii) Grace to be kept by the Lord.
iii) Grace to be understood and experienced.
3. Salutations
a) This can be stated in the beginning.
b) It can be found at the end of an epistle.
c) It can appear in the Introduction and the Conclusion.
4. The significance of emphasizing authorship.
a) To distinguish from spurious epistles that were circulating.
b) To confirm the authenticity and the authority of the apostolic writer.
c) Paul employed his personal name to identify himself clearly to his readers.