Fare Thee Well

“Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (2 Thessalonians 3:16-18).

Introduction

This benediction brings to a close Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica. It is in the form of a prayer.

Peace

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).

Paul prays that God’s peace would be upon them especially since they were suffering persecution for Christ’s sake, as well as having to deal with the trouble caused by false teachers and undisciplined members. This peace can only be received from “the Lord of peace”, and it is the comfort His presence brings that will strengthen them in every circumstance and situation. Christ Himself is our peace. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:14). It is upon such peace that the Kingdom of God is built. “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). This peace is for our outward as well as inward life. “Give you peace by all means - In every way and manner” (John Wesley). "Always-unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances" (Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary).

Signed

It appears that Paul dictated this letter to another person, perhaps Silas or Timothy, but now takes up the pen to add his final blessing upon them. It is likely that Paul’s signature and seal revealed that the letters that were being circulated were genuine. He made a similar remark in Philemon :19, “I Paul have written it with mine own hand.” We remember that the false teachers were forging letters and claiming they came from Paul’s hand. “That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand” (2 Thessalonians 2:2).

Grace

“Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love” (2 John :3).

As in all of his letters, Paul closes by praying that the grace of God would abide upon the believers. It is not the grace of salvation but the favour and blessing God gives to those who trust and follow Him. Psalm 23:6 assists us in understanding what this benedictory grace is, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” The Lord of peace and grace will Himself deal with the believer’s greatest foe one day. “And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (Romans 16:20).

Notice he writes “all” to indicate that he includes those who had erred from the true path and were causing the church much heartache. It reveals his pastor’s heart, for each one of them had come under the sound of his ministry, and he was therefore obligated to care for them.

Conclusion

© 17/12/1008