2 Thessalonians 3:17-Paul’s Signature Guarantees the Authenticity of Second Thessalonians and Expresses His Apostolic Authority

2 Thessalonians 3:17 The greeting is written by my own hand, namely Paul. This is an authenticating mark in each and every epistle. I characteristically communicate in writing in this manner. (Lecturer’s translation)

As we noted in our study of 2 Thessalonians 3:16, 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 constitutes the final major section of the body of Second Thessalonians and the closing of this letter.

The apostle Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:17 presents three assertions.

The first is that the greeting contained in this verse is written by his own hand.

The second asserts that this greeting is an authenticating mark in each and every letter when he corresponds in writing with the various churches he planted in the Roman Empire in the first century A.D.

Lastly, he asserts that he characteristically communicates in writing in this manner.

These three assertions which appear in 2 Thessalonians 3:17 also serve to identify the apostle Paul as the author of the contents of Second Thessalonians despite the fact that in 2 Thessalonians 1:1, he identifies Silvanus and Timothy as co-authors of this epistle.

In 1 Thessalonians 1:1, we have Silvanus and Timothy identified with Paul as his co-authors of First Thessalonians.

Thus, many expositors and scholars have surmised that Silvanus and Timothy took part in the writing of these two epistles and were thus co-senders.

However, others dissent asserting that Paul is the sole author of these two epistles and that the plurals in this epistle should be interpreted as being used “literarily” rather than “literally.”

This raises two questions: (1) What role, if any, did Silvanus and Timothy play in the writing of this letter? (2) If Paul is the true author of the letter, why did he present Silvanus and Timothy as cosenders?

However, as noted previously, I believe Silvanus and Timothy are not co-senders but that Paul is the true author of this epistle, which is indicated by his three assertions in 2 Thessalonians 3:17.

Therefore, this would strongly suggest that the first-person plurals in the letter ought to be taken not literally but literarily.

This is also called an “editorial we” or a “epistolary plural.”

Thus, it would not be an “exclusive we” which would include Paul with his associates as distinct from the audience.

This leads us to the second question; namely why did Paul include Silvanus and Timothy as cosenders even though he is the real author of the epistle?

These two men are included by Paul in the greeting as cosenders because they played a significant role in ministering to the Thessalonian Christian community.

Acts 17:1-9 reveals that Silvanus played a key role in establishing this community with Paul.

Timothy is identified as a cosender because 1 Thessalonians 3:1-5 reveals that he was instrumental in strengthening the Thessalonian Christian community.

This verse also reveals that Timothy was sent by Paul and Silvanus to ascertain as to whether or not the Thessalonians were remaining faithful to the gospel.

Thus, because of this, Timothy after delivering 1 Thessalonians came back with a report regarding the Thessalonians and some of their problems they were having which are revealed in the contents of Second Thessalonians.

These three assertions in 2 Thessalonians 3:17 also serve to guarantee the authenticity of the contents of Second Thessalonians.

The reason why Paul felt the need to authenticate the contents of Second Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians 3:17 is that a false prophet might have communicated in writing to the Thessalonian Christian community and asserted that the day of the Lord was taking in their day and age.

This is indicated by the contents of 2 Thessalonians 2:2.

2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now, concerning our Lord Jesus Christ’s arrival resulting in our gathering before Him, each of us is requesting each and every one of you brothers and sisters, 2 that each one of you would not be easily shaken from your composure, nor be alarmed by either a spirit, or by a message, or by a letter allegedly from us to the effect that the Lord’s day is taking place. (Lecturer’s translation)

The noun epistolē (ἐπιστολή), “letter” in this verse pertains to written communication between two parties.

Here it refers to written communication addressed to the Thessalonian Christian community from allegedly Paul, Silvanus and Timothy.

Thus, it refers to a “pseudonymous” letter.

The term “pseudonymity” refers to the practice of publishing one’s writings under a revered person’s name.

This is why Paul explicitly identifies himself as the author at the end of some of his letters (cf. 2 Thess. 3:17-18; Gal. 6:11; Col. 4:18).

This would guarantee the authenticity of the letter.

Not only did Paul want to authentic the contents of Second Thessalonians by putting his signature on this epistle to protect against forgeries but also in order to emphasize with the Thessalonian Christian community that the contents of Second Thessalonians bear his apostolic authority.

This is significant in light of those in the Thessalonian Christian community who were disobeying his command to work for a living, which he addresses as we noted in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15.

Not only does Paul authenticate the contents of Second Thessalonians with his signature in 2 Thessalonians 3:17, but he also authenticates the contents of his epistle to the Colossian Christian community in Colossians 4:18.

Colossians 4:18 This greeting is by my very own hand, namely Paul. Each of you please continue to make it your habit of remembering my imprisonment. May His grace be present among each and every one of you. (Lecturer’s translation)

In Galatians 6:11, Paul asserts that he is the author of Galatians and to authenticate this he says that he wrote with large letters.

Galatians 6:11 See what big letters I make as I write to you with my own hand! (NET)

These three assertions in 2 Thessalonians 3:17 also indicate that the apostle Paul employed an amanuensis when writing the contents of Second Thessalonians with Silvanus and Timothy.

The amanuensis does not identify himself.

An “amanuensis” is in other words, a secretary who assisted an employer by taking direct verbal dictation, copying, or writing on their behalf.

We know that in the first century an “amanuensis” was employed in letter writing, which refers to someone who was hired to write from dictation and write it down in longhand immediately.

At other times, they would use a form of shorthand (tachygraphy) to take down a letter and then later write it out in longhand.

Romans 16:22 indicates that Paul used an amanuensis when writing the book of Romans.

In fact, this individual identifies himself as Tertius in this verse.

Romans 16:22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, give my regards to each and every one of you without exception with respect to serving the Lord. (Lecturer’s translation)

Paul’s statement in 1 Corinthians 16:21 also indicates that he employed an amanuensis in writing First Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 16:21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. (ESV)

By identifying himself as the author of the greeting in the final verse of First Corinthians indicates that Paul employed an amanuensis when writing this letter to the Corinthian Christian community.

Paul’s statement in Colossians 4:18 also indicates that he employed an amanuensis when writing the book of Colossians.

Colossians 4:18 This greeting is by my very own hand, namely Paul. Each of you please continue to make it your habit of remembering my imprisonment. May His grace be present among each and every one of you. (Lecturer’s translation)

By identifying himself as the author of the greeting in the final verse of this epistle would indicate that he employed an amanuensis.