Colossians 4:18

ἡ χάρις μεθʼ ὑμῶν, א*ABCFgrG Ambrst. Text. Rec. adds ἀμήν with אcDKLP, etc., Syrpal.

Subscription. The simplest and apparently most original form is πρὸς κολασσαεῖς אB*C. To this A adds ἀπὸ Ῥώμης, Bc ἐγράφη�. The Text. Rec. has πρὸς Κολασσαεῖς ἐγράφη�, with KL, etc. The Boh. adds καὶ Μάρκου, but curiously says that it was written at Athens. 37. 116 and a few other cursives say διὰ Τυχικοῦ καὶ Τιμοθέον καὶ Ὀνησίμου.

18. Valediction

Greeting by my own hand, Paul’s. Remember my present state in bonds. Grace be with you.

ὁ�. “The salutation by the hand of me, Paul.” Thus in 1 Corinthians 16:21; 2 Thessalonians 3:17 only. Both a guarantee of genuineness and a symbol of affection.

“The gen. Παύλου is in apposition to the personal pronoun involved in ἐμῇ” (Ell.). Compare Soph. Oed. Col. 344, τἀμὰ δυστήνου κακά.

μνημονεύετέ μου τῶν δεσμῶν. He was perhaps reminded of his chains by the awkwardness of writing the preceding clause, especially if the chain was attached to his right hand. The primary reason for his pathetic utterance lies probably in his desire for their prayers (cf. Colossians 4:3, note on καὶ περὶ ἡμῶν), but it is evident that the remembrance of his condition would tend not only to make them receive his words with greater reverence (cf. Philemon 1:9), but also to brace up their own faith and energy. For the fact of his chains see Colossians 4:3, note, δέδεμαι.

Chrysostom (pp. 414 D–416 A) makes a fine appeal to his hearers for self-denial, sympathy, etc., based partly on this phrase and partly on St Paul’s mention of his tears, Acts 20:31.

ἡ χάρις μεθʼ ὑμῶν. The exact phrase only in 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:22. In all the Epistles of the first two groups and in Phil. and Phm. ἡ χάρις is defined by the addition of τοῦ κυρίου [ἡμῶν] Ἰησοῦ [Χριστοῦ] (cf. Revelation 22:21), but it stands absolutely here and in Eph., the Pastoral Epistles and also Hebrews 13:25. It thus serves roughly as a chronological guide.

It is characteristic of St Paul’s sense of the favour and the power of God that as he began his Epistle by wishing his readers ‘grace’ (Colossians 1:2), so he should close it by praying for its continuance with them.

On the ἀμήν of the Textus Receptus and the Subscription see the notes on Textual Criticism.