Colossians 4:18

18. The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.

Translation and Paraphrase

18. (I close with) the greeting in my own handwriting: Paul. Remember my bonds (in your prayers). Grace (favor) be with you.

Notes

1.

Paul closed the epistle to the Colossians by signing it with his own hand. The chain linking him to his guard clanks in an act of authentication.

2.

Several other letters of Paul were also written by one of his helpers serving as secretary (amanuensis) as Paul dictated. At the close of these, the last line or so was added by Paul in his own handwriting. Romans 16:22; 1 Corinthians 16:21; Galatians 6:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:17; Compare Philemon 1:19.

3.

In closing, Paul requests, Remember my bonds. Remember them in your prayers; remember them when you feel discouraged and depressed; remember that I have won many victories for Christ while wearing these bonds. Philippians 1:7; Ephesians 6:20; Acts 28:20.

4.

Paul closed with his customary benediction (used in all his epistles): Grace (or favor) be with you. If God's favor is with us, what more can we ask in this life or in the world to come?

5.

Paul finishes his epistle. The letter is dried, folded, tied shut, perhaps sealed, and given to Tychicus. Thence it went to Colossae. And now to us.

6.

May we in our Christian life and faith make CHRIST SUPREME, as Paul exhorted the Colossians.

And he is the head of the body, the church:. that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18).

In him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:10).

If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1).

And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17).