I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
Summary: Handwriting is as unique as our fingerprints — even in Paul’s day.
Several years ago my mother died and with her died the most beautiful handwriting in town. I know this because the person who processed water service payments for the city told me. He should know — he saw everyone’s handwriting when they paid their water bills.
When mom was a child schools were different. Handwriting was taught as a matter of course, and apparently, my mother was exceptionally good at it. I suspect her mother had something to do with it. Not because Grandma could write well; she couldn’t. When Mom was little, Grandma couldn’t even speak English.
Instead, it was because Grandma had been a seamstress in the Old Country. She had learned the hard way and in those days whatever you were doing you did it right or you did it over. Mom used to tell about learning to sew and how Grandma would make her rip the stitching out of whatever she was making if the sewing wasn’t perfect.
I think that carried over to Mom’s handwriting.
Why do I share all this? Letters used to be important. Now we call, FaceTime, or text, but back in the day if you wanted to share thoughts with someone far away you had to write a letter. (It always helped if the person who received the letter could read it!)
Laodicea was over a thousand miles away from where Paul was imprisoned. In his day, that would be a world away. He could pray for them, and he could hear about them from Epaphras, but if he wanted to talk with them he had to write a letter.
Which brings us to the question of authenticity.
How would someone receiving a letter from a thousand miles away know that it was really from the person who claims to have written it?
If you have ever seen my mother’s handwriting, you would recognize it. Her way of forming letters was unique (Just like mine, only you can read hers!).
Paul’s letters were often written by a scribe who was trained to write with penmanship like my mother’s — highly legible. Paul’s handwriting was different (Galatians 6:11). It was his way of authenticating his letters. Like his fingerprint, Paul’s writing was unique and authentic.
Application: We know that Paul’s letters are authentic because they are vouched for by Paul himself.
Food for Thought: Why is it important to know that Paul’s letters are really from him?
Just as there have been people who claimed to be the messiah but were importers or fakes, there are people who claim to be apostles but are also fake. There were many Gnostic “gospels” in the second century floating around claiming to be written by an apostle which we know were not. So knowing the authenticity allows us to know what to receive as the word of God versus that which is fake.
Thanks Rich!
It is comforting to know that people in Paul’s day were concerned about data security. Some things never change! 🙂
Why is it important to know that Paul’s letters are really from him?
Great comment from Rich!
Spent the morning fulfilling a long planned appointment at the hospital with my wife. Great news from the doctor who will be scheduling an appointment for her within the next two months. Everything is looking very positive once this procedure is complete. Please mention “ Ling “ in your prayers as you feel led.
I also agree, knowing a letter written to us comes directly from the author. Where would we be if we were to consider our bible was a collection of letters written by men, about God.
For me, as I received truth and came to understand, know our bible is “ the word of God, “ Placed on paper by beings He personally chose and directed. His Words which He has watched over and preserved forever, has been an awakening, beyond description. I study His words knowing they are beyond value and I apply these truths, not because they were written by Paul, but because they have come from God. They are true and have power.
Read the Bible, Study His truths with other solid believers to help guide these truths as from God, and you will receive LIFE!
Ron,
Thank you for sharing the good news about Ling! And thank you for the thoughts about God’s Word. Authenticity is key and as you point out, God’s “handwriting” is marked by truth and power.