Grace and Peace Philippians 1:2

After declaring himself with Timothy as the writer of the letter to the church in Philippi, Paul the apostle stated that his words were to the “saints” along with the “bishops and deacons” who were among them. In chapter one and verse two of Philippians, Paul employs a greeting that he uses all throughout the New Testament books. He wrote:

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

The verse begins, “Grace be unto you,...” The first word in Paul's greeting is the Greek word “charis” which means “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, or charm”. It implies “loveliness goodwill, loving-kindness and favor”, and extends the idea of “unmerited favor”. In other words it is favor that cannot be earned, and no one can purchase it. “Grace” is extended by God our Heavenly Father toward people without expectation of purchase or performance. The word “grace” or “charis” was used as a typical Greek greeting, and like unto our “hello” or “hi” people who lived in the gentile world would acknowledge one another with this word. Paul greeted this gentile church, Philippi, with a familiar phrase “grace be unto you” which is one they would have recognized straightway.

The verse goes on to say, “and peace,...” Paul then adds something special to his opening words. He adds “and peace” which is the Hebrew word “eirene” which means “peace between individuals, harmony, concord, security, safety, prosperity, or felicity”. Often the Hebrew people would use the word “shalom” to greet one another which implies the same idea, and when Paul used the words “grace and peace” in one phrase, he brought together both Jew and Gentile which was part of his mission for the gospel.

Finally the verse says, “from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Let us take notice from where Paul attributes the origin of this “grace” and “peace” - “from God our Father” and “from the Lord Jesus Christ”. The source of true “grace” is from God, and it is necessary to receive “grace” from the Lord Jesus before we know the true “peace” of God. Until we receive God's gift of Jesus Christ and understand that we cannot earn salvation and that it is by His grace we are saved, we will never know the true peace that can be known in this world. “Grace and Peace” go hand in hand for the believer, and Paul employs both of them as a manner of greeting to this wonderful church called Philippi.

Have we ever taken the time to really think about the “Grace and Peace” that is offered through “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”? Have we experienced the willingness of God to extend to us “unmerited favor” which leads to true “peace” with God? If not, this is the time, and if so, we may simply bask in the love, grace and peace that the Lord God Almighty has extended to everyone who will simply trust in His provision of Jesus Christ to die upon the cross, take away our sins, and extend to us eternal life.

Next time Paul will share how he gives thanks for the church at Philippi, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

 

Until tomorrow...there is more...

 

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