When Christ takes hold of a person's life many things change (2 Corinthians 5:17).  The grace of God stimulates a different perspective.  For Paul in prison, although his body was chained, his heart was free (1 Peter 5:10).  Prison walls were used by God's grace to remove other distractions so that he could focus his prayer and teach by writing.  And his interest was not just for people he knew.  Paul had never been to Colossae but, having heard about the church there, he had taken them to his heart and to the Lord in prayer (Colossians 2:1).  That is a mark of grace, to pray with loving desire for those you have never met.

And yet Paul’s captivity involved much hardship along with his loss of liberty.  The Roman jails were cold, insanitary and smelly, infested with vermin and physically uncomfortable.  The chains on his wrists and ankles would chafe and cut into his skin.  The bed was a mat on a hard stone floor.  The lifestyle was harsh and often sleepless.  Although friends were allowed to visit to bring food and letters, providing the opportunity to Paul to dictate letters while somebody served as a secretary, there was no relief from the physical ordeal.  Paul did not complain.  He had accepted that this was from the Lord, but he asked for the prayers of the church so that he would not fail the Lord at this critical phase of his ministry (Acts 20:23-24).
 
Paul's letters were dictated.  But here he 'signs off' with his own personal greeting.  Although he had never met his readers, he was in a personal relationship with them.  They were equally children of the same Heavenly Father and therefore his brothers and sisters in Christ.  Although he was their Apostle and teacher, he was not puffed up with his own importance but accepted his vulnerability and was willing to ask for their prayers (Ephesians 6:19).  Although he was in great need himself, his benediction was that God's grace would provide for all their needs (Philippians 4:19).
 
God's grace does not stop at saving us from hell; it is also His transforming grace through life.  When our relationship with God is renewed, so is our view of ourselves, and other people.  We no longer look through self-centred eyes but we start to see everything through the lens of Christ.  His purpose becomes ours; we share His desires and we love the people in whom His grace is operating (2 Corinthians 9:8).  That is the true measure of spiritual maturity: use it to assess your progress in the Christian life, especially if you are a leader or teacher.  So, let God's grace take hold of you and work in you.  When you do, it will not only be a blessing to yourself, but also to many others!