I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter. This is how I write.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 17. The salvation of, and so forth The apostle gives them this caution, for fear the faithful might be deceived by fictitious letters. For they had already received one of this kind, which had terrified them, by foretelling that the day of judgment was at hand. This deception he is here anxious to remove, signing the present communication with his own hand, and sealing it with his own seal. For although the rest of the epistle had been written by another, these words to the end were written by himself. Estius.—All the civilities of this great doctor of grace terminate in wishing it to his friends. This is his genuine character, because it is the love and continual effusion of his heart. V.—Amen. This the congregation added after the epistle had been read, and from this circumstance alone has it found a place here. Polus synopsis Criticorum, p. 1003, vol. 4.
1 TIMOTHY
THE FIRST
EPISTLE OF S. PAUL, THE APOSTLE,
TO TIMOTHY