Kleinig, John W. Pastoring by Blessing. Australian Lutheran College Inaugural Lecture. February 2, 2009.
St Paul knew that he was a bearer of blessing, the full blessing of Christ. So when he wrote his letter to announce his impending visit to Rome, he made this audacious claim: ‘I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ’ (Rom 15:29). He came to Rome with the fullness of Christ’s blessing to deliver it fully to the Christians there. And not just to them! At the beginning and end of each letter that he wrote, he blesses its recipients in the name of Jesus…