Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
Text: Philippians 4:23
NEW TESTAMENT BENEDICTIONS
The doctrine of pronouncing Benedictions continued to the New Testament era. However, of necessity the words used in benedictions changed. We may speak of two main types of benedictions.
1. Short Benedictions
a) “Now the God of peace be with you all.” Romans 15:33
b) “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” 1 Corinthians 16:23
c) “Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Galatians 6:18
d) “Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.”
Ephesians 6:23-24
2. Long Benedictions
(Cf. 1 Peter 5:10-11; Jude 24-25 for two more long benedictions)
a) We have an excellent example of a long benediction in this text.
“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus
from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
make you complete in every good work to do His will,
working in you what is well pleasing in His sight,
through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21
b) We have another excellent example of a long benediction written by Paul.
“Now to Him who is able to establish you
according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret
since the world began, but now made manifest,
and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations,
according to the commandment of the everlasting God,
for obedience to the faith-
to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”
Romans 16:25-27
3. Are longer benedictions better? Are short benedictions worse?
The short answer to both questions is “No!” (There are more short benedictions than long ones in the New Testament.)