Every few years the Reserve Bank introduces new bank notes with new technology that makes it harder for counterfeiters to copy. The reason is simple; if anyone can photocopy a few $100 bank notes, people would lose trust in the value of our money. The ability to prove that your bank note is genuine means you can buy from sellers who may not otherwise trust you, and be concerned that you are committing theft. They know the currency is genuine.
Paul’s letter closes with an encouragement of final blessings to the Thessalonian congregation. To prove that his letter, containing many blessings and also some strong messages, was the genuine article, Paul also included a personal note from himself to them. After all, if Paul’s message was a fake, then the promises and blessings (including those of the closing address) would be fake as well. As counterfeit and valueless to them, as it would be to us.
In the previous section of Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, the final meaty part of the letter, Paul took a clear stance against those in the congregation who were unwilling to work but preferred idleness and meddling. The congregation were to rebuke and distance themselves from these people, until they repented and were willing to labour in whatever task they were given.
This attitude among some in the congregation undoubtedly caused division, but to that Paul offered a blessing and hope that this division would be healed. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way” (v.16).
The Thessalonians had experienced peace and reconciliation with God. Even those with a questionable attitude to work. They were no longer God’s enemies, but his children. Paul wished that they would know and experience this blessing, and that it would also be reflected in reconciliation within their congregation. Ultimately true peace is not cessation of hostility, but reconciliation with God, others, and Creation.
Paul also prayed that “the Lord be with you all” (v.16). Paul wanted the Thessalonians to know and experience the presence of Christ supporting and encouraging them in their daily lives, through the presence of his spirit (the Holy Spirit).
Next, Paul took up the pen personally and wrote “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” (v.17). It was common for a scribe to write a message dictated to them. Paul was no stranger to this practice. We see this in other letters Paul wrote, or where sometimes the scribe adds their own greetings to a letter.
But the other reason for Paul to take up the pen himself and write was to prove that the letter was genuinely from him. It seems a letter, potentially a counterfeit letter, had gone to the Thessalonian church and caused issues. Paul wanted to provide personal proof of his authorship, which the church could check by comparing his handwriting to other texts they knew were his writing, perhaps notes he had left with them previously. Just like a bank checking a signature for authenticity against their own copy of that signature, before accepting instructions.
Since Paul’s letter was genuine, not counterfeit, the teaching, encouragement, and commands were genuinely from Paul. And genuinely from God, therefore, since Paul was an apostle specially called to reveal God’s truths.
Paul had prayed for their peace and their experience of Christ’s presence. Now, finally, he prayed that they may experience the means by which this was possible. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (v.18). There was only one way by which they could experience peace with God and Christ’s presence, and that was by receiving the undeserved favour of their Lord Jesus.
It was through grace that they experienced these realities, and it is by grace that we do so too. Even though there are sometimes disputes and disagreements within congregations, we ultimately find reconciliation with each other at the foot of the Cross. The same place where we are reconciled, and experience peace, with God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
In the same way, we too are able to experience the Lord’s presence with us because of the grace of Christ. The presence and experience of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit’s presence with us, is a source of encouragement for the ups and downs of daily life. We have not been left alone to fend for ourselves, but our Saviour is present with us truly in Spirit even as he is seated at the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for us all.
Thankfully Paul’s letter was genuine, as indeed all of Scripture is. It truly is God’s Word revealed to us, so that we may know the truth and be set free. If it were not, we would be much to be pitied. But because it is true, and because we have believed, we experience the peace, presence, and grace of Jesus in our lives too. Not just today, but every day.