We end off 2 Thessalonians (and this study) by reading 2 Thess 3:16-18. Paul always ends
off his epistles with a word of encouragement.
v16: Peace: This is not talking about quietness or easiness. Biblically, peace is linked to what we
experience as an outcome of walking in G-d’s will. “The L-rd of peace” is talking about the G-d who
works according to His will.
• Always in every way: This means that the G-d of peace moves in a variety of ways to bring
us (His people) into His will, so that we are able to accomplish His purposes.
v17: The salutation of Paul: Paul is closing off this letter and saying his goodbyes.
• With my own hand: Paul probably had a secretary, or another believing man who would
help him to write down his letters. Here he would have personally written this portion of
the letter.
• Which is a sign: Paul’s tradition was to sign off his letters in his own handwriting. People
could then more easily identify that it was in fact a letter written by Paul and not a fake.
v18: Grace…be with you all: This is a message of encouragement. It is not by accident that Paul
closes this epistle in the same way that he started it (see 2 Thess 1:2). Grace gives us liberty – not the
liberty to do our own wills, but the liberty to be able to do G-d’s will. When we are saved G-d begins
to work in our lives to bring about a change. We become less and less like we were (our desires, our
wills etc) and become more and more like Him (John 3:30).