Colossians 4:18 Closing Exhortations and Blessing 18 This salutation by my own hand — Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen (NKJV).
Paul wants the churches to know that no one else scribed this closing thought. Paul is speaking from the very depths of his heart. He is in prison. He is isolated from the many brothers and sisters who Paul loves so much. A love that even extends to those he has heard about but has never met in the flesh. We find several times in Paul’s closing remarks a similarity to what we read here in Colossians.
2 Thessalonians 3:1: Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
Dropping down to verses 3:16-18, Paul’s Benediction
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (In every Epistle, can only be referred to all the Epistles which the apostle has, perhaps, at a later period, still to write to the Thessalonians. For only for the Thessalonians, who had already been actually deceived by a false Pauline Epistle, and led into error, was such a precaution of practical importance against a new deception. (Meyers NT Commentary).
Again Paul’s Blessing and a Plea in Galatians 6:16-18
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (INNER MAN)
Lastly, look at Philemon 19-21
I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay — not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
Farewell – Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. (NKJV) (INNER MAN)
I want us to spend some time thinking about the subject of SUFFERING. Paul is in a Roman jail. He is in Chains. He is bearing in his own body the “sufferings of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:10 and Colossians 1:24. *
Remember what Jesus told Ananias to tell Paul in Acts 9:15, “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (NKJV)
The world is full of suffering. Physical, emotional, and spiritual pain has been and will be an intrinsic part of the human experience. The archetypal example of our suffering was Jesus Christ, who was persecuted and crucified by the Roman officials. Suffering will indeed come, but God can give us grace and power to overcome every trial and to fulfill our purpose and mission in His kingdom. The Bible provides counsel on the meaning of suffering and how we can best endure it. (ORIGINAL EXAMPLE OF SUFFERING FOR OTHERS) – we are to identify with His sufferings for all—Paul suffering for the believers [Col 1:24]
Jesus Christ suffered to establish His Kingdom. And to make a way for all who were bound by the kingdom of darkness and dead in trespasses and sin to come to the Light and Life in Christ.
Consider Jesus’ sufferings pictured in Isaiah 53:3, “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.”
Also, consider Isaiah’s prophetic word for the believer:
Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Here are some biblical exhortations regarding suffering as we consider Paul, chained in a Roman jail.
2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Colossians 1:24, “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”
Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
2 Timothy 3:12 “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
Hebrews 2:10, “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.”
James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
1 Peter 3:14, “But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”
1 Peter 4:1, “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.” (FASTING, MISSIONS, DENYING ONES FLESH DESIRES FOR MATERIAL COMFORTS)
1 Peter 4:12-13, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange was happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
1 Peter 5:10, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (GOALS)!
REMEMBERING JESUS’ WORD TO HIS DISCIPLES:
John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (Our peace is located in what Jesus promised). Our faith operates in His overcoming life.)
Luke 14:27, “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Church membership is not the requirement, but discipleship is.)
Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Philippians 3:10, “I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”
Psalm 34:19, “The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;”
Psalm 119:71, “It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.”
Revelation 21:14, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”