King James Version

What Does 2 Thessalonians 3:18 Mean?

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 · King James Version

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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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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?
KS
Written by KJV Study Commentary • Biblical Commentary

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 11 words
ἡ
1 of 11
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
χάρις
2 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
τοῦ
3 of 11
G3588
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
4 of 11

“Lord”

G2962
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἡμῶν
5 of 11

“of our”

G2257
of (or from) us
Ἰησοῦ
6 of 11

“Jesus”

G2424
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Χριστοῦ
7 of 11

“Christ”

G5547
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus
μετὰ
8 of 11

“be with”

G3326
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
πάντων
9 of 11

“all”

G3956
all, any, every, the whole
ὑμῶν
10 of 11

“you”

G5216
of (from or concerning) you
ἀμήν
11 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

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