Grace and Peace Ephesians 1:2

Paul the apostle began his letter to the church at Ephesus by sharing his name, his calling, and by whom this calling came. It was by the “will of God” that Paul was called to be “an apostle”, and his attention was directed toward the “faithful in Christ Jesus”. In chapter one and verse two of his letter, Paul shared his typical introductory greeting of “Grace and Peace”. We read:

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

The verse begins, “Grace be to you, and peace,...” Paul began with the word, “Grace” which is the Greek word “charis” and means “that which afford joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and unmerited favor” “be to you” which refers to the Ephesian church members, “and peace” which is the Hebrew word “eirēnē” and means “state of national tranquility, exemption from the rage and havoc of war, harmony and concord”. Paul combined both the Greek and Hebrew greetings for his opening words to the Ephesian Christians.

The verse goes on to say, “... from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul continued with the words, “from God” who is “the general name and deities or divinities, the Godhead and trinity” “our Father” or “generator or male ancestor, the founder of a family or tribe, progenitor of a people and forefather who is God called the Father”, “and from the Lord” which means “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “Jesus” which means “Jehovah is Salvation” and refers to “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate” “Christ” or “the anointed one, Messiah and the Son of God”. Paul's greeting came from “God” and “the Lord Jesus” whom Paul named as the “Christ” or “anointed one and Messiah”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see the manner in which Paul attempts to share with both Jews and Gentiles in his opening remarks. There is no higher and greater greeting than one that is from “God the Father” and “the Lord Jesus Christ”, and to think that Paul was the Lord's representative in this is quite remarkable. Let us remember Paul's greeting as we encounter people, and should we have occasion, perhaps “grace and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ” will be our greeting to them as well.

Next time Paul shares concerning “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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