Colossians 4:18 - Exposition

The salutation with mine own hand—of Paul ( 2 Thessalonians 3:17 , 2 Thessalonians 3:18 ; 1 Corinthians 16:21-24 ; Galatians 6:11-18 ). So the apostle appends his authenticating signature to the letter, written, as usual, by his amanuensis, himself inscribing these last words (see parallel passages). The Epistle to Philemon he appears to have penned himself throughout ( Philemon 1:19 ). Remember my bonds ( Colossians 1:24 ; Philemon 1:9 , Philemon 1:13 ; Ephesians 3:1-21 :l, 13; 4.l; Ephesians 6:20 ; 2 Timothy 2:9 ). This pathetic postscript is thoroughly characteristic (comp. Galatians 6:17 ). Grace be with you; literally, the grace (comp. Colossians 3:16 ). The apostle's final benediction in all his Epistles; here in its briefest form, as in 1 and 2 Timothy. In the Ephesian benediction "grace" is also used absolutely. 2 Corinthians 13:14 gives the formula in its full liturgical amplitude.