Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

It is the grace of God that brought our salvation. By grace, we are saved through faith. And the grace of God that came will continue to be speed believers along the pathway on the pilgrimage to heaven until they safely arrive home. We need to be reminded that the grace of God abides with His people to help them through life after they confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. A most fitting greeting among God’s people as they seek the Lord grace to strengthen each other. This grace comes from the Godhead.

The Apostle Paul was a man who lived out the will of God for his life. What a blessed life to be living in the center of God’s will, doing His bidding. God sent a young man Timothy to be his companion and fellow soldier in the Lord’s army. He derived no small comfort from his fellowship with Timothy. It was during his 2nd missionary journey that Timothy was commissioned to follow him in the gospel work.

The parting note of ardent prayer for God’s blessing to be upon His people is most fitting and comforting. The Lord is the bestowal of blessings. Unless the Lord shows favour, God’s people are without strength and wisdom to move forward in life. It is all by the grace of God that we are who we are, sinners saved by grace.

William MacDonald observed insightfully, “Paul’s personal note began with a passionate warning probably aimed at false teachers (cf. 12:3) whom he believed to be already present in the congregation (cf. 2 Cor. 11:3-4).”

In the letters that the Apostle Paul sends out to the churches or individuals, they are usually done by dictation. He would dictate and a fellow worker would write it down.

William MacDonald observed, “All the brethren in the assembly join in sending their loving greetings to their fellow believers in Corinth. The apostle enjoins his readers to greet one another with a holy kiss.”