INTRODUCTION

Contrary to what many Bible teachers claim, the apostle Paul’s salutations appeared at the end of his epistles and not at the beginning. It is at the end of each of his epistles that one finds the words salute, saluteth, and salutation. Many people do not realize that Paul rarely penned the epistles personally (Romans 16:22I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
See All...). It was such a rare occurrence that the apostle pointed out that he personally took the time and effort to pen the epistle to the churches of Galatia (Galatians 6:11Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.
See All...). Paul’s salutation was so important that although he did not personally pen most of his epistles, he informed us that he personally penned his salutation (2 Thessalonians 3:17The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Paul personally penned his salutations (1 Corinthians 16:21The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand.
  See All...;  Colossians 4:18The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
  See All...). The word grace is in every salutation of Paul's fourteen epistles. Paul knew grace was important to save (Ephesians 2:8-9 [8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
  See All...; Titus 2:11For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
  See All...) and to serve (2 Corinthians 9:8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
  See All...; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
  See All...; Hebrews 12:28Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
  See All...).
• (For everyone): What was the content of Paul’s salutation (see 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 [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.
  See All...)? Why was it so important to him that he actually took the time and effort to personally pen the salutation, contrary to his common practice?
• How important is it to you to be able to salute those who know and love the Lord? Do you share Paul’s heart on the matter?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for the believers He has brought into your life.
• Ask God to give you a love for your brethren.

HYMN

GOD BE WITH YOU TILL WE MEET AGAIN

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