Colossians 4:18

18. Paul's autograph salutation (so 1Co 16:21; 2Th 3:17), attesting that the preceding letter, though written by an amanuensis, is from himself. Remember my bonds--Already in this chapter he had mentioned his "bonds" (Col 4:3), and again Col 4:10, an incentive why they should love and pray (Col 4:3) for him; and still more, that they should, in reverential obedience to his monitions in this Epistle, shrink from the false teaching herein stigmatized, remembering what a conflict (Col 2:1) he had in their behalf amidst his bonds. "When we read of his chains, we should not forget that they moved over the paper as he wrote; his [right] hand was chained to the [left hand of the] soldier who kept him" [Alford]. Grace be with you--Greek, "THE grace" which every Christian enjoys in some degree, and which flows from God in Christ by the Holy Ghost (Tit 3:15; He 13:25)

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Verse 18. The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Probably the rest of the epistle was written by an amanuensis. As was his custom, Paul affixed his own hand to it in the form of a salutation. Comp 1Cor 16:21; 2Thes 3:17.

Remember my bonds. Also evidently written by his own hand, to make the injunction more impressive. Comp. Heb 13:3. The meaning is that they should not forget him in his confinement. They should remember that he was suffering on their account, Col 1:24, and that he was entitled to every expression of sympathy and love.

Grace be with you. Rom 16:20.

The subscription to this epistle is undoubtedly correct. See the Introduction.

(f) "salutation" 2Thes 3:17 (g) "remember my bonds" Heb 13:3,25

End of Barnes Notes on Colossians

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Verse 18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul - The preceding part of the epistle was written by a scribe, from the mouth of the apostle: this, and what follows, was written by the hand of St. Paul himself. A similar distinction we find, 1Cor 16:21, and in 2Thes 3:17; and this, it seems, was the means by which the apostle authenticated every epistle which he sent to the different Churches. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle, so I write. Remember my bonds - See what proof ye have of the truth of the Gospel; I am in bonds on this account; I suffer patiently, yea, exult in the Lord Jesus, so perfectly am I upheld by the grace of the Gospel. Remember my bonds, and take courage. How eloquent were these concluding words! That such a man should be in bonds for the Gospel, was the fullest proof of the truth of the Gospel. A cunningly devised fable could not have imposed on Saul of Tarsus; he was fully satisfied of the truth of the doctrines of Christianity; he proclaimed them as truths from heaven; and for their sake cheerfully suffered the loss of all things. The bonds of such a man are a plenary proof of the truth of the doctrines for which he was bound. Grace be with you - May you still possess the favor and blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ: the apostle ends, as he began, this epistle. Without the grace of Christ they could not have become a Church; without this grace they could not continue to be one. Amen - This is omitted by the most ancient and correct MSS. The subscriptions, as usual, are various and uncertain: - The common Greek text has, To the Colossians, written from Rome by Tychicus and Onesimus. The Epistle to the Colossians; written at Rome, and sent by the hand of Tychicus. Syriac. To the Colossians. Ethiopic. In the Vulgate there is no subscription. The end of the epistle; and it was written from Rome, and sent by the hand of Tychicus and Onesimus. Praise be to God for ever and ever; and may his mercy be upon us. Amen. Arabic. Written from Athens by Tychicus, and Onesimus, and Mark, his disciples. Coptic. The MSS. are not less various than the versions: To the Colossians. - That to the Colossians is completed; that to the Philippians begins. - That to the Colossians is finished; the First Epistle to the Thessalonians begins. - To the Colossians, from Rome. - Written to the Colossians from Rome. - Written from Rome by Tychicus, and Timotheus, and Onesimus. - Written by Paul and Timothy, and sent by Tychicus, and Onesimus. That the epistle was written from Rome there is little cause to doubt: that Timothy might be the scribe is very probable, because it appears he was at Rome with the apostle in the same year in which this epistle was written. See Phi 2:19. And that it was sent by Tychicus and Onesimus, seems evident from the 8th and 9th verses of this chapter. The common subscription has the consent of the greater number of the most recent and comparatively recent MSS., but this is not, in general, a proof of authenticity.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain