2 Thessalonians 3:17 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.

◄ 2 Thessalonians 3:17 ►

Parallel Verses

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

English Standard Version
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 American Standard Bible
I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write.

King James Bible
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This greeting is in my own hand--Paul. This is a sign in every letter; this is how I write.

International Standard Version
I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. This is the mark in every letter of mine. It is the way I write.

American Standard Version
The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

Douay-Rheims Bible
The salutation of Paul with my own hand; which is the sign in every epistle. So I write.

Darby Bible Translation
The salutation by the hand of me, Paul, which is the mark in every letter; so I write.

Young's Literal Translation
The salutation by the hand of me, Paul, which is a sign in every letter; thus I write;

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

3:16-18 The apostle prays for the Thessalonians. And let us desire the same blessings for ourselves and our friends. Peace with God. This peace is desired for them always, or in every thing. Peace by all means; in every way; that, as they enjoyed the means of grace, they might use all methods to secure peace. We need nothing more to make us safe and happy, nor can we desire any thing better for ourselves and our friends, than to have God's gracious presence with us and them. No matter where we are, if God be with us; nor who is absent, if God be present. It is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that we hope to have peace with God, and to enjoy the presence of God. This grace is all in all to make us happy; though we wish ever so much to others, there remains enough for ourselves.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

17. The Epistle was written by an amanuensis (perhaps Silas or Timothy), and only the closing salutation written by Paul's "own hand" (compare Ro 16:22; 1Co 16:21; Col 4:18). Wherever Paul does not subjoin this autograph salutation, we may presume he wrote the whole Epistle himself (Ga 6:11).

which—which autograph salutation.

the token—to distinguish genuine Epistles from spurious ones put forth in my name (2Th 2:2).

in every epistle—Some think he signed his name to every Epistle with his own hand; but as there is no trace of this in any manuscripts of all the Epistles, it is more likely that he alludes to his writing with his own hand in closing every Epistle, even in those Epistles (Romans, Second Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, First Thessalonians) wherein he does not specify his having done so.

so I write—so I sign my name: this is a specimen of my handwriting, by which to distinguish my geniune letters from forgeries.