The concluding section of early Christian letters often contains the author’s benediction, typically expressed as a prayer or doxology, but often accompanied by many other pastoral conventions as well. In his letters, for example, Paul sometimes closes his correspondence by greeting various acquaintances in a particular congregation (cf. Rom. 16), perhaps to encourage them in their faith (cf. 1 Cor. 16:19–20) or to give them instructions (cf. Col. 4:15–16). In several of his letters, he includes a list of moral and spiritual exhortations (cf. 1 Thess. 5:12–22) as well as a summary of the advice given in the letter’s body (cf. Gal. 6:12–16). The letter writer also uses this concluding section to make personal requests. Sometimes with considerable import, Paul even tells his audience how the…