Journal: Bulletin for Biblical Research
Volume: BBR 05:1 (NA 1995)
Article: The Pauline Letter Closings: Analysis And Hermeneutical Significance
Author: Jeffrey A. D. Weima

BBR 5:1 (1995) p. 177

The Pauline Letter Closings: Analysis And Hermeneutical Significance

Jeffrey A. D. Weima

Calvin Theological Seminary

The contention of this article is that the Pauline letter closings are carefully constructed units, shaped and adapted in such way that they relate directly to—sometimes, in fact, even summarize—the major concerns and themes taken up in the bodies of their respective letters. Consequently, the letter closings aid in important ways our understanding of Paul’s purpose, arguments and exhortation. The article begins by evaluating the reasons why the Pauline letter closings have been ignored in the past and offers in response suggestive comments about their potential significance. This claimed significance of the Pauline letter closings is then established by examining one of the closing conventions (the peace benediction) as it occurs in two of Paul’s letters (1 Thess 5:23-24; Gal 6:16).

Key Words: letter closing, hermeneutics, sanctification, parousia, 1 Thess 5:22-23; Gal 6:16

Introduction

The examination and interpretation of any Pauline letter must take as its starting-point an analysis of the letter’s epistolary structure. As Robert Funk observes: “The first order of business [in the study of Paul’s letters] is to learn to read the letter as a letter. This means above all to learn to read its structure.”1 Biblical scholars have been somewhat slow to recognize the importance of letter structure (epistolary analysis) for understanding Paul’s writings. Of late, however, much work has been done in developing a clearer picture of the form of his correspondence. It is now widely acknowledged that the form of the Pauline letters consists of four major sections: (1) the Opening (sender,

BBR 5:1 (1995) p. 178

recipient, salutation); (2) the Thanksgiving; (3) the Body (transitional formulae, autobiographical statements, concluding parenesis, apostolic parousia); and (4) the Closing (peace benediction, hortatory section, greeting, autograph, grace benediction).2

A great deal of scholarly attention has been given to the first three epistolary sections and, in particular, to how formal variations within these sections aid our understanding of Paul’s letters. By comparison, however, the fourth section has been all but completely ignored. The purpose of our study here, then, is to rectify this imbalance that exists in the epistolary anal...