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"Grace to you and peace..."

Text: Galatians 1:3a

SENDING OF GREETINGS

Letters in the first century would normally have the following features:-

1. Name of the writer

2. Fellow-greeters

a) Sometimes a name would be added (1 Thessalonians 1:1a, Timothy’s name was included).

b) Sometimes a general group would be mentioned. (Galatians 1:2 where Paul employed the word “brethren” to describe a good number of people who stood with him.)

3. Special features in Christian letters

a) The name of God is freely mentioned.

b) The name of the Lord Jesus Christ was particularly mentioned.

i) To establish a strong Christological content.

ii) To affirm the rightful place of Christ in the faith.

iii) To express a deep and personal love for the Lord Jesus Christ.

c) Special theological words were employed as words of greeting.

i) Grace and peace were strong theological words in Paul’s vocabulary.

ii) These featured in his greetings to his readers.

GRACE AND PEACE

The theological significance of these words must be read in the words of greetings:-

1. Grace

a) This was a fundamental word.

b) It underscores God’s plan of salvation. We have salvation only because of God’s grace.

c) It is not limited to salvation. Grace is needed in every aspect of life.

2. Peace

a) Peace with God is made possible because of our being justified by God.

b) Peace from God is an important blessing that must not be taken for granted.

c) The greeting of “peace” probably stems from Paul’s Jewish and Christian backgrounds.

d) It was normal for a Jew to say “peace” when he greets a friend. It was just as normal for a Christian to greet a friend with this precious blessing.