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"This epistle be read to all the holy brethren."

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:27

CONCLUDING WORDS

The apostle Paul concluded his first epistle to the Thessalonians with another set of advice.

“Brethren, pray for us.
Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss.
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read
to all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

1 Thessalonians 5:25-28

1. “Brethren, pray for us”

a) Paul solicited prayer support for his team and his ministry.

b) This is perfectly normal.

2. “Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss”

a) He was sending final greetings.

b) The concept of a holy kiss is perfectly normal.

i) It expresses Christian love.

ii) It reflects great sense of closeness.

3. “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren”

a) This gives us an important insight as to how the Pauline epistles were to be regarded.

b) These apostolic epistles were meant to be read to the church at large.

c) These were some of the goals:-

i) Instruction

ii) Impact

iii) Inspiration

4. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

a) The name of the Lord Jesus is tenderly employed.

b) His grace was highlighted.

i) Salvation came about through grace.

ii) Sanctification would also require the application of grace.

c) “Amen”

This word beautifully seals the epistle written by Paul to the Thessalonian church.