2 Thessalonians 3:17

17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

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2 Thessalonians 3:17 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.
New Living Translation (NLT)
17 HERE IS MY GREETING IN MY OWN HANDWRITING—PAUL. I DO THIS IN ALL MY LETTERS TO PROVE THEY ARE FROM ME.
The Message Bible (MSG)
17 I, Paul, bid you good-bye in my own handwriting. I do this in all my letters, so examine my signature as proof that the letter is genuine.
American Standard Version (ASV)
17 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
17 I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. In every letter that I send, this is proof that I wrote it.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
17 This greeting is in my own hand-Paul. This is a sign in every letter; this is how I write.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own handwriting. That's how I prove that I am the author of all my letters. I always do it that way.

2 Thessalonians 3:17 Meaning and Commentary

2 Thessalonians 3:17

The salutation of Paul with mine own hand
In writing his epistles, the body and substance of them he used an amanuensis, but the salutation he wrote with his own hand:

which is the token in every epistle;
by which they might be known to be true and genuine, and be distinguished from counterfeit ones: and the rather he mentions this, that they might be troubled neither by word, nor by spirit, nor by epistle, as from them, as they had been, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:2 ) for it seems that this wicked practice of counterfeiting the epistles of the apostles, or carrying about spurious ones, under their name, began so early; to prevent which, the apostle took this method,

so I write,
as follows:

2 Thessalonians 3:17 In-Context

15 Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer.
16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Cross References 1

  • 1. S 1 Corinthians 16:21
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