This familiar greeting is a benediction, as every Christian greeting should be. Greek and Hebrew greetings are taken up and given a Christian baptism. As for “Grace,” F. F. Bruce tells us: “The regular Greek greeting was “Rejoice!” (Chaire) . . . but he [Paul] likes to replace chaire by the similarly-sounding but richer greeting charis (“grace”). “Peace” is a translation of the Hebrew shalom which speaks of wholeness, completeness and contentment in a right relationship with God and man. The greeting is more than a pious wish, for the source of the blessing is the gracious Father and his beloved Son. The music of the gospel is heard in this greeting, for grace and peace are its dominant notes. The grace of God is the essence of the evangel - “the incomparable riches of his grace expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). The gospel is “the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15), the good news about the One who is “himself our peace,” who has reconciled us to God through the cross and has given us “the peace of God which transcends all understanding” (Eph. 2:14-18; Phil. 4:7). The order of the words is significant, since grace precedes peace. The balm of encouragement lies in this greeting, because his grace is sufficient for us, and his peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, (2 Cor. 12:9; Phil. 4:7).
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 10:53:07 +0000
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