Colossians 4:18

“The salutation by the hand of me Paul, etc.] After his amanuensis had finished the epistle, he added his usual salutation to it with his own hand, to prevent all counterfeits and impositions, and that the churches to whom he wrote might be sure of the genuineness of his epistles; but before he added it to it, he either wrote with his own hand, or ordered to be written the following words, remember my bonds; this he says, partly that they might be animated to abide by the Gospel, for which, as he had told them before, (<510403>Colossians 4:3) that he was in bonds; and partly to encourage them, by his example, patiently to endure what afflictions and persecutions soever they should meet with,…”

“Paul's autograph salutation (so Co1 16:21; Th2 3:17), attesting that the preceding letter, though written by an amanuensis, is from himself. Remember my bonds--Already in this chapter he had mentioned his "bonds" (Col 4:3), and again Col 4:10, an incentive why they should love and pray (Col 4:3) for him; and still more, that they should, in reverential obedience to his monitions in this Epistle, shrink from the false teaching herein stigmatized, remembering what a conflict (Col 2:1) he had in their behalf amidst his bonds. "When we read of his chains, we should not forget that they moved over the paper as he wrote; his [right] hand was chained to the [left hand of the] soldier who kept him"…”

“The salutation by the hand of me Paul - Probably the rest of the Epistle was written by an amanuensis. As was his custom, Paul affixed his own hand to it in the form of a salutation; compare the 1 Corinthians 16:21 note; 2 Thessalonians 3:17 note. Remember my bonds - Also evidently written by his own hand, to make the injunction more impressive; compare the notes at Hebrews 13:3. The meaning is, that they should not forget him in his confinement. They should remember that he was suffering on their account (Notes, Colossians 1:24), and that he was entitled to every expression of sympathy and love. Grace be with you - Notes, Romans 16:20. The subscription to this Epistle is undoubtedly…”

“4:18 Here is my greeting in my own handwriting—Paul: Like most ancient letters, Colossians was probably dictated by Paul to a scribe, or amanuensis, who would have been trained to write neatly and compactly. As a way of authenticating the letter, Paul added his own handwritten greeting at the end (cp. Paul’s comment in 2 Thes 2:2).”

“by: Co1 16:21; Th2 3:17 Remember: Ti2 1:8; Heb 13:3 Grace: Rom 16:20, Rom 16:24; Co2 13:14; Ti1 6:21; Ti2 4:22; Heb 13:25 Next: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 1”