Colossians 4:18

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

'WITH MINE OWN HAND' -Paul writes the last words of this letter with his own hand. This not only added. personal touch, but it also demonstrated that the letter was authentic (1 Corinthians 16:21; 2 Thessalonians 3:17). In view of the reality that spurious letters did exist (2 Thessalonians 2:1).

'REMEMBER MY BONDS' -Barclay notes, 'There is no self-pity and no sentimental plea for sympathy..Paul's references to his sufferings are not pleas for sympathy; they are his claims to authority, the guarantees of his right to speak. It is as if he said, "This is not. letter from someone who does not know what the service of Christ means or someone who is asking others to do what he is not prepared to do himself.' (pp. 174-175)