Copyright 2009 Theresa Harvard Johnson
For years, I’ve been fascinated with this statement that the Apostle Paul made at the beginning of his letters.
He said: “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write.” This statement also appears in: 1 Corinthians 16:21, Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:18; and 2 Thessalonians 3:17.
Why? Well, it reminds us that while the letters of the New Covenant are indeed inspired, they started out as simple letters written to specific people and groups among the Body. If God is indeed the same yesterday today and every, then this certainty speaks volumes concerning the seriousness of the inspired books that we pen. Don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying we are writing “scripture.” I am, however, saying that God gives weight to the inspired pen of the scribe.