Ministry of Grace Church

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Truth to Learn

People who know God’s grace can experience peace with Him.

Behind the Words

“Grace” is translated from the Greek noun charis, which is from the verb chairō, meaning “to rejoice.” Charis means “that which causes joy, pleasure, gratification, or acceptance as a result of a kindness granted.” It is often translated as grace, thanks, or gratitude.

The word translated “peace” is eirēnē. It can refer to an absence of war and dissention, that is, harmony among individuals. However, it can also refer to peace of mind and mental tranquility. It is a state in which there is no perceived threat or cause for worry present.

“God” is translated from theos, which was originally used by the heathen to refer to their gods (idols). It is based on the noun theteres, meaning “placers.” The heathen Greeks thought their gods were the makers and disposers (placers) of all things. For instance, the god of money was referred to as mammon, which Jesus referred to in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13. In the New Testament, when you see word “god” it refers to a false god (see 1Corinthians 1:20) but when spelled “God” it refers to the one true God.

The word translated “father” is patēr, which is a primary word meaning “father.” It is the word from which we get our English word patriarch (father-ruler).

Meaning Explained

If you compare the opening two verses of this chapter with the opening verse of 1 Thessalonians 1, you will notice that they appear nearly identical. And, in the best manuscripts the words “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” do not appear in 1 Thessalonians 1:1. They do appear to be genuine in this verse, however.

Paul’s opening message to the Thessalonian church in both 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and in this verse is one of grace and peace. These two represent the source and the result of our salvation. For by grace we are saved (Ephesians 2:5), and this salvation results in a peace that is beyond our understanding (Philippians 4:7). His desire of peace for the Christians in Thessalonica is especially important given the persecution and confusion that existed in the church at that time. “Grace” is “God’s riches at Christ’s expense”; it is God’s unmerited favor which He freely bestows on all who accept by faith Jesus Christ’s substitutionary work on the cross. God gives man the opposite of what he deserves: blessing instead of judgment. “Peace” is the cessation of hostility which has resulted from Christ’s death; God and mankind can be reconciled because the debt of human sin has been paid by Christ. Christians have peace with God through the death of Christ. They also experience the peace of God as a result of Christ’s work. So we see that for a Christian, grace and peace are closely connected.

Application

If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you have been the recipient of God’s grace. Because of this, you are at peace with God. One of the challenges of Christian living is recognizing and experiencing that peace, and living a life of obedience to God because of it.