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Colossians 4:18
18 The salutation [aspasmos] by the hand [cheir] of me [emos] Paul. [Paulos] Remember [mnemoneuo] my [mou] bonds. [desmon] Grace [charis] be with [meta] you. [humon] Amen. [amen] [Written [grapho] from [apo] Rome [Rhome] to [pros] Colossians [Kolossaeus] by [dia] Tychicus [Tuchikos] and [kai] Onesimus. [Onesimos] KJV-Interlinear
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. NASB
This close was written by Paul himself. The body of the letter was most likely dictated by him and written by someone else, even perhaps Timothy. But that person is not known for sure.
Remembering Pauls imprisonment teaches us all to remember that even in the direst of situations, God is able to work miracles which benefit all.
Of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament, Paul wrote thirteen of them. Many while he was in prison. And despite his handicap, his letters have withstood the test of time and survived through a history in which most writings have vanished from history.
His letters were never published, in the beginning, by giant publishing houses, never held in trust by large historical organizations, as they simply did not exist back then.
Pauls letters were hand written and hand delivered to people who held Bible studies in private homes. Somewhere along the line, his letters were copied and re-copied and remained intact, and accurate with respect to their content. And, they survived the rebellion against Rome, the fall of Rome, the Dark Ages, the rise of Islam, and many more historical events to numerous to mention.
And, it all began with Gods using a man who was a murdering self-righteous legalist, destined to be executed in Rome, over about a thirty year period from approximately 35 A.D. until the late 60’s A.D.
And because of that very narrow window in history, you and I have the opportunity of a lifetime, that we could never have by any other means.
The folks back then had many difficulties to overcome especially because the Savior was crucified. And yet they rose above the barriers that would prevent their spiritual growth.
And now, we have phenomenal opportunities, and a much easier means of growing up in grace. The only question is, who will seize these advantages and advance in their spiritual life to the objective which God intends for us all?
