B. Closing Greetings (3:17-18)

In light of the possibility of a forgery circulating in Paul’s name or of any doubt that this letter came from him, Paul writes the final greetings in his own handwriting and apparently appends his characteristic mark (v.17). This authentication underlines the authority of what is written. This letter must not be ignored.

The letter concludes with a standard greeting almost identical to 1Th 5:28.