Paragraph 4:18

Theme: Paul wrote this final greeting himself so that the Colossians would know that this letter was from him. He reminded them to pray for him there in prison.

4:18a

my own hand: Most commentators agree that Paul dictated most of his letter to someone else, and this person wrote his words down. But Paul wrote these last words himself so that the readers would know that the letter really did come from him.

4:18b

Remember my chains: The word chains is a figure of speech meaning that Paul was a prisoner. But Paul was not simply reminding the Colossians that he was a prisoner. He was also reminding them to pray for him while he was a prisoner, as he had asked them to do in 4:3–4.

4:18c

Grace be with you: Paul ended most of his letters with these words or similar words. You should translate these words in a similar way at the end of every letter where they occur. (See 1 Corinthians 16:23, 2 Corinthians 13:14, Galatians 5:18, Ephesians 6:24, Philippians 4:23, 1 Thessalonians 5:28, 2 Thessalonians 3:18, 1 Timothy 6:21, 2 Timothy 4:22, Titus 3:15, Philemon 25.) These words are a wish or a prayer. In some languages it may be necessary to include the words “I ask…” or “I pray…” For example:

I pray that God will be kind to you. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
I ask God to bless you.

Paul did not say explicitly to whose Grace he was referring. However, in your translation, it may be necessary for you to make this information explicit. Some English versions refer to “God’s grace” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, God’s Word, New Living Translation (2004)). However, at the end of most of his other letters, Paul says “the grace of the Lord Jesus,” or “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” so it is acceptable to use either “God” or “Jesus” in your translation.