With Your Spirit and Grace 2 Timothy 4:22

As we come to the conclusion of Paul the apostle's final letter to Timothy his “dearly beloved son”, we have learned of those who were in the ministry with him and seen where Timothy was greeted by those who still surrounded him. In chapter four and verse twenty-two of his letter, Paul ended his words with a prayer for the “Lord Jesus Christ” to be with Timothy's “spirit” and for “Grace” to be with him as well. We read:

The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

The verse begins, “The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Paul began with, “The Lord” or “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding or master and is a title of honor expressive of respect and reverence which is given to God, the Messiah” “Jesus” which in Greek is “Iēsous” and means “Jehovah is salvation” who is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” or “anointed Messiah” “be with” which means “after or behind” “your spirit” which refers to “the vital principal by which the body is animated, feels, thinks and decides”. Paul desired for the presence of “The Lord Jesus Christ” to be with him in every aspect of his being.

The verse goes on to say, “Grace be with you. Amen.” Paul continued with, “Grace” or “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness, good will, loving-kindness and unmerited favor” “be with you” or “after or behind you” “Amen” which means “firm, faithful, verily, surely and so it is or let it be so”. Paul desired the “Grace” of the Lord Jesus Christ to be with Timothy as well.

As we think through this final verse of this second and final letter written to Timothy, it is important to note that some believe this verse was added by the translators. However the themes of these greetings are in keeping with many of the writings of Paul, and they are no doubt ones which should be given to anyone who desires to be blessed by God. It is good to put ourselves in Timothy's place and act as though these final words are given to us as well. May we have “The Lord Jesus Christ be with” our “spirit”, and may “Grace be with” us as we make our way through this life, in Jesus' name, Amen and “let it be so”.

Next time we will begin a study in the Old Testament book of Zephaniah, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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