+III. Concludes with an affectionate benediction.+--"Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen" (ver. 18). Placing the word "brethren" at the end of the sentence, as in the Greek, suggests that, after much rebuke and admonition, the apostle bids his readers farewell with the warm-hearted expression of brotherhood. Notwithstanding fickleness on their part, his love towards them remains unchanged. He prays that the grace of Christ, the distinctive and comprehensive blessing of the new covenant, may continue to rest upon them and work its renewing and sanctifying power upon their spirit, the place where alone it can accomplish its most signal triumphs. Forgiveness for their defection and confidence in their restoration to the highest Christian privileges and enjoyment, are the last thoughts of the anxious apostle. Between them and moral bankruptcy is the prayerful solicitude of a good man. +Lessons.+--1. _When argument is exhausted prayer is the last resource._ 2. _Prayer links Divine blessing with human entreaty._ 3. _Last words have about them a solemn and affecting efficacy._ _GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._ Ver. 16. _The True Israel of God_-- +I. Are those who personally enjoy the inward righteousness that comes through faith.+ +II. Who live consistently with their spiritual profession and the truth they have embraced.+ +III. Enjoy the Divine benedictions of mercy and peace.+ Ver. 17. _Marks of the Lord Jesus._ +I. The word picture here presented.+--1. _The figure_--slave-brands, στἱɣμɑτɑ. 2. _The facts_--Paul's historic experiences (1 Cor. iv. 9-15; 2 Cor. xi. 23-30). 3. _The challenge_--"Let no man trouble me." +II. The suggestion the picture makes.+--1. He who follows the Lord Jesus must expect some will try to trouble him. 2. He whose marks are most conspicuous will be troubled the least. 3. He who has marks may take comfort in knowing how much his Master paid for him. 4. He who is owned may remember that his Master owns and recognises the marks also. 5. He that has no marks is either a better or a poorer Christian than the apostle Paul. 6. Satan outwits himself when he gives a believer more marks. 7. A sure day is coming when the marks will be honourable, for the body of humiliation will be like the glorious body of Christ.--_Homiletic Monthly._ _Marked Men._ +I. Ill-marked men.+--Think of the marks left on men by sickness, intemperance, impurity, crime, sin of any kind. Evil will always leave its mark. +II. Well-marked men.+--1. _Christian marks_--the marks of Christ. Paul was the slave of Christ. Some of his marks for Christ were literal, as the _weals_ caused by the rods of the Roman Cæsars, the _red lines_ caused by scourging in Jewish synagogues, the _scars_ caused by repeated stonings. The marks of the Christian are mainly spiritual--marked by trustfulness, gentleness, purity, unselfishness.