Grace and Peace

There are these 2 words at the beginning of each of Paul’s letters to churches or people in the New Testament. At first we might just think they are there to mimic a blessing or greeting that was common during the day, or taken from his Jewish roots. That could be true in a small way, but the very fact he always uses them, always in that sequence, and chooses these specific Greek words for grace and peace tells us a different story.

Galatians 1:3 (NLT)

³ May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

The words Paul uses here, “charis” (grace), and “eirene” (peace), seem to be very intentional. These are not just greetings, like “hope you have a good day,” or “To whom it may concern.” These are hopes and prayers of Paul for his readers for grace and peace to be in their lives. It’s also more than the English words might let on. We can talk about peace – the lack of trouble, but peace here has a deeper sense. Grace isn’t a word we use often, but many people generally use it to mean extending mercy or understanding – still I think Paul is not simply communicating on a surface level.

Grace in the New Testament, especially in Paul’s writings, has to do with God’s favour on us by sending Jesus in our place as a better sacrifice AND grace also means the supernatural strength God gives through the Holy Spirit to be able to follow Jesus. Jesus offers a different kind of peace…

John 14:27 (NLT)

²⁷ “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

These are both gifts, and they are both qualities we long for and sometimes even strive for. To be acceptable to God and to have peace. Paul hopes and prays that followers of Jesus would be given grace and peace. There is an order here. We can search for peace, but so much of our search involves lack of trouble or distraction. Jesus lived in constant trouble and distraction, but still offers peace. His peace that passes understanding (Phil 4:7) and can be present in the worst of times can only be experienced by those under His grace. To those who have been brought from death to new life in Christ.

Paul isn’t talking about religious activity, he is referring to a gift. So may you know the gift of God’s peace as you experience the gift of grace (forgiveness, transformation, life in Christ). I don’t know about you, but I need those every minute of every day… a reminder that I am “in Christ” and a promise of deep and lasting peace in the middle of trouble and fear.