(13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. (14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. (15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. (16) В¶ Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. (17) The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. (18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
The Apostle, having pointed out the errors, and infirmities, which creep into the Church, closeth his Epistle with his usual kindness, in recommending tenderness, and affection, one towards another, among the people. I admire Paul's charge, that brethren should not be weary in well doing. By which, if I apprehend him right, he doth not refer to acts of grace, and faith, in the exercises of their high calling, towards God; for that is always understood but rather after what he had been speaking, of the idle and disorderly, not to be discouraged, if any acts of kindness the Church had shown such persons, were abused, and unthankfully treated. It is a melancholy thing, to be sure, to behold at any time, the bounties of gracious souls, misapplied by the ungracious. But, it is much more to be deplored, that such misapplications, should ever operate, to check the liberal hand, and heart, and make them follow the reverse of Paul's precept; and be weary in well doing. Not so the Lord. And not so his command. That ye may be (said that unequalled Example, of requiting blessing for cursing), the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil, and on the good; and sendeth rain on the just, and on the unjust. Matthew 5:45
I do not think it necessary, to swell the pages of this Poor Man's Commentary, with any further observations, on the close of the Apostle's Epistle. His method is, for the most part, the same in all his writings. They are full of zeal to the Lord's cause, and love to his Church; and very plainly read to us, the heart of the Apostle. Let us rather join in the benediction, for it is truly blessed; and say to the whole Church, as he did: the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.