Benedictions of the Apostle Paul (6)—The Lord of Peace - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3:16–18

Benedictions of the Apostle Paul (6)—The Lord of Peace
Paul’s benediction to the Thessalonians is unique in that there is a postscript sandwiched between the first and second parts of the benediction.

As Paul concludes his second letter to the Thessalonian saints dealing with their questions regarding the second coming of Christ, he first invokes the “Lord of peace.” Wonderful title of the Lord Jesus! This is a unique term, only used this one time of Him in the entire New Testament.

It was important for the Thessalonian saints to be reminded of this. The enemy, through false teachers, had tried to disturb them and had succeeded in leaving them “shaken in mind,” perhaps by way of a letter (2 Th. 2:2). These teachers, inspired by a false “spirit,” had written these dear saints explaining that their current trouble, a period of persecution, was evidence that the “Day of the Lord” was already “present” (see ???). In the first epistle Paul had assured them that Christ would come for them first (1 Th. 4:15–17), and that they were not destined for “wrath” (1 Th. 5:9; cf. 1:10).

Paul reiterates this truth in this second letter and giving new details to confirm it. However, in the middle of his benediction, lest they had any doubts about the authenticity of this second epistle, he signed it by his own hand, using his own distinctive script. Hence they would know that through Paul, the Lord of peace had spoken to them. The Lord Jesus is the same today (Heb. 13:8). As we pass through the uncertainties of life, the Lord of peace is still with us (Mt. 28:20).

Brian Reynolds