-For some of Paul’s letters, including this one, he specifically states that he is writing himself (the closing greetings here and in Galatians 6.11, 1Corinthians 16.21, 2Thessalonians 3.17, and then possibly the whole letter to Philemon? Philemo 19), presumably because it was customary to use what is called an amanuensis, a stenographer of sorts (cf Romans 16.22). Some letters make no mention of either: Philippians, Ephesians, 2Corinthians, 1Thessalonians, 1&2 Timothy and Titus, and really all the other NT epistles. But it could be particularly helpful for an individually addressed assembly like this one that only knew Paul by reputation but not personally to have some kind of assurance that he was in fact the one behind the letter. Or perhaps on certain occasions Paul was inspired to (or perhaps not otherwise prevented from) taking the pen and signing the letter with his own hand.
-Nevertheless, in this closing greeting he again asks folks to pray for him, specifically to remember his bonds (cf Hebrews 13.3). Long days in a prison cell with very little if anything to do, limited opportunities for ministry perhaps, few if any visitors (altho there were six guys with him somehow in this instance) - whether he is feeling forgotten or just wanted to emphasize that the need of the hour was for prayer, he requests this of them a second time. Life moves so fast, and the tyranny of the urgent incessantly beckons our attention. Truth is, the impact of brokenness often continues well beyond the initial onset - matters of health, loss of a loved one, crises affecting others which recede all too quickly from the front page of the news and of our minds. No doubt we would do well to cultivate a habit of continually and faithfully reloading the burdens borne by others in our hearts and prayers...
-And finally he closes with his customary albeit shortened benediction (short form used here is found in only two other of his letters - 1Timothy 6.21 and 2Timothy 4.22), a wish for ‘the’ grace, for these hearers to experience and continue in the surpassing riches of God’s divine freely-bestowed undeserved favor. We are called and believe and are saved by God’s grace, we live under and stand in His grace, we continue by grace, we conduct ourselves in grace, all that we need for every good deed, all that we are is by the grace of God. We don't deserve it. We can't earn more of it. Yet we are lost without it. What better way to say goodbye to those you love than to wish them a continued and deeper experience of God's favor...?
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