King James Version

What Does 2 Thessalonians 3:18 Mean?

2 Thessalonians 3:18 in the King James Version says “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athen...” — study this verse from 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.”

2 Thessalonians 3:18 · KJV

Grace

Context

16

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

17

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

18

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen—Paul's standard closing: The grace (hē charis, ἡ χάρις) of our Lord Jesus Christ (tou Kyriou hēmōn Iēsou Christou, τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ) be with you all (meta pantōn hymas, μετὰ πάντων ὑμᾶς). Grace brackets the letter (1:2, 3:18)—unmerited favor is both greeting and benediction.

Amen (amēn, ἀμήν, 'so be it')—affirming prayer. Everything—perseverance through persecution, resisting deception, church discipline, productive labor—depends on grace. Christ's undeserved favor enables all Christian living. The letter began with grace, taught about grace's outworking, and concludes with grace's benediction. Grace is sufficient for every command.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient letters typically ended with health wishes or generic blessings. Paul Christianizes the form, making grace-wish the closing. This became standard Christian epistolary form, copied by later church fathers. Grace replaced generic well-wishing with specific invocation of Christ's favor.

Reflection Questions

  1. How specifically do you need Christ's grace to enable obedience to this letter's commands?
  2. What does it mean for grace to 'be with you'—how do you experience Christ's enabling favor?
  3. Why does Paul emphasize 'all'—what does this reveal about grace's availability?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 11 words
ἡ1 of 11
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χάρις2 of 11

“The grace”

G5485

graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart

τοῦ3 of 11
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

κυρίου4 of 11

“Lord”

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἡμῶν5 of 11

“of our”

G2257

of (or from) us

Ἰησοῦ6 of 11

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Χριστοῦ7 of 11

“Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

μετὰ8 of 11

“be with”

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

πάντων9 of 11

“all”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

ὑμῶν10 of 11

“you”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

ἀμήν11 of 11

“Amen”

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Thessalonians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Thessalonians 3:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Thessalonians 3:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 16:20Romans 16:23

Test Your Knowledge

2 Thessalonians 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Thessalonians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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