Young People's Group

Grace and Peace to You

by Mitchell Tan
June 12, 2019

A TYPICAL GREETING FOR THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS

Giving a greeting was a common practice among the Jews during the times of Jesus. Whenever the Jews met, they would often say “Shalom” (which means “peace”) to each other. The Lord Jesus taught the disciples that when they entered a house, they were to say “Peace to this house.” (Luke 10:5). This was the standard greeting. When Paul wrote to Ephesians, he wrote a special greeting to them.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 1:2

Paul applied the fundamental greeting with an additional idea. This was Paul’s typical way of greeting the brethren.

1. DEFINITIONS

A. GRACE

Paul included the idea of “grace” in his greeting. The word “grace” in Greek is “charis”. It is the favour that is extended to us that would bring about an enabling that we cannot do on our own. It is through His grace that God’s blessings come about. There was the place of grace in our life.

B. PEACE

The apostle’s wish for the Ephesian Church was for them to have peace. It is the positional peace that we have with God when we are saved from our sins through Christ (Ephesians 2:14). This is a further extension of idea from the Old Testament “Shalom”. We are reconciled with God through faith. This is the peace that Paul wished for the Church at Ephesus.

2. DUAL SOURCES

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Ephesians 1:2

There are two sources that we can receive grace and peace from. We receive them from both God and the Lord Jesus. Why did Paul mention these two sources of grace and peace? Firstly, it shows that both God and the Lord Jesus are equal. Both of them are givers of grace. Secondly, both God and the Lord Jesus work absolutely as one. They are totally in sync with each other as they bring forth grace to His people. Thirdly, they have the right and prerogative to give peace to whomever they willed.

3. HIGHEST REGARD FOR THE TWO SOURCES

Paul had the highest regard for both God and the Lord Jesus as he wished for grace and peace for his brethren.

A. GOD THE FATHER

He saw God as His loving heavenly Father. He was Father both to Paul and the Ephesian Church. Paul was most conscious of God as Father as he gave this greeting.

B. LORD JESUS CHRIST

He also saw Christ Jesus as Lord in his life. The Lord Jesus is the giver of life and sovereign over all things. Our part is to have absolute trust in the Lord Jesus. Young people, let’s also learn to have the highest regard for God and the Lord Jesus.

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