King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
Complete Jewish Bible:
The greeting in my own handwriting: From Sha’ul. This is the mark of genuineness in every letter, this is what my handwriting looks like.
Berean Standard Bible:
This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. This is my mark in every letter; 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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The salutation{G783} of Paul{G3972} with mine own{G1699} hand{G5495}, which{G3739} is{G2076} the token{G4592} in{G1722} every{G3956} epistle{G1992}: so{G3779} I write{G1125}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Corinthians 16:21
- The salutation of [me] Paul with mine own hand.
2 Thessalonians 1:5
- ¶ [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
1 Samuel 17:18
- And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of [their] thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
Joshua 2:12
- Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:
Colossians 4:18
- The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace [be] with you. Amen.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 2 Thessalonians 3:17
2 Thessalonians 3:17 is a verse where the Apostle Paul emphasizes the authenticity of his letters by mentioning his personal sign-off. In the context of the early Christian church, letters (epistles) from church leaders like Paul were crucial for teaching, encouragement, and guidance. The Thessalonian church, in particular, was one that Paul had a close relationship with, having founded it during his second missionary journey.
The verse speaks to the theme of authenticity and authority in early Christian literature. During this time, there were many letters circulating among the churches, some of which were not genuine and may have contained false teachings. Paul's reference to his "own hand" indicates that he personally wrote the salutation, which served as a mark of authenticity for his epistles. This practice was akin to a signature or a personal identifier in modern terms, assuring the recipients that the letter was indeed from him and could be trusted as authoritative.
Historically, this verse reflects the challenges of communication in the early church, the importance of verifying the source of doctrinal teachings, and the personal connection that Paul sought to maintain with the communities he served. It also highlights the role of apostolic authority in the establishment of the early Christian canon, as the church fathers later used such authentic marks to determine which writings were genuinely apostolic and thus should be included in the New Testament.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G783
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀσπασμός
Transliteration: aspasmós
Pronunciation: as-pas-mos'
Description: from ἀσπάζομαι; a greeting (in person or by letter):--greeting, salutation. - Strong's Number: G3972
There are 160 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: Παῦλος
Transliteration: Paûlos
Pronunciation: pow'-los
Description: of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of παύω, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle:--Paul, Paulus. - Strong's Number: G1699
There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐμός
Transliteration: emós
Pronunciation: em-os'
Description: from the oblique cases of ἐγώ (ἐμοί, ἐμοῦ, ἐμέ); my:--of me, mine (own), my. - Strong's Number: G5495
There are 171 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: χείρ
Transliteration: cheír
Pronunciation: khire
Description: perhaps from the base of χειμών in the sense of its congener the base of χάσμα (through the idea of hollowness for grasping); the hand (literally or figuratively (power); especially (by Hebraism) a means or instrument):--hand. - Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ. - Strong's Number: G2076
There are 812 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐστί
Transliteration: estí
Pronunciation: es-tee'
Description: third person singular present indicative of εἰμί; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:--are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, X dure for a while, + follow, X have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, X must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle. - Strong's Number: G4592
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: σημεῖον
Transliteration: sēmeîon
Pronunciation: say-mi'-on
Description: neuter of a presumed derivative of the base of σημαίνω; an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally:--miracle, sign, token, wonder. - Strong's Number: G1722
There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐν
Transliteration: en
Pronunciation: en
Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition. - Strong's Number: G3956
There are 1075 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πᾶς
Transliteration: pâs
Pronunciation: pas
Description: including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole:--all (manner of, means), alway(-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no(-thing), X thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever. - Strong's Number: G1992
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐπιστολή
Transliteration: epistolḗ
Pronunciation: ep-is-tol-ay'
Description: from ἐπιστέλλω; a written message:--"epistle," letter. - Strong's Number: G3779
There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὕτω
Transliteration: hoútō
Pronunciation: hoo'-toce
Description: adverb from οὗτος; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what. - Strong's Number: G1125
There are 197 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γράφω
Transliteration: gráphō
Pronunciation: graf'-o
Description: a primary verb; to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe:--describe, write(-ing, -ten).