1 Corinthians 1:3

Letters to the Faithful - 1 Corinthians 1:3

Berean Standard Bible

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

King James Bible

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Greek Text:

Χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ.

Transliteration:

Charis hymin kai eirēnē apo Theou Patros hēmōn kai Kyriou Iēsou Christou.

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Grace and peace to you

The greeting "Grace and peace" is a common apostolic salutation found in many of Paul's letters. "Grace" (Greek: charis) refers to the unmerited favor and kindness of God, a central theme in Christian theology emphasizing salvation as a gift from God. "Peace" (Greek: eirene) reflects the Hebrew concept of "shalom," which means wholeness and well-being. This greeting encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message, which brings reconciliation with God and inner tranquility. The combination of grace and peace signifies the transformation that believers experience through faith in Christ.

from God our Father

The phrase "from God our Father" highlights the intimate relationship believers have with God, who is not only the Creator but also a loving Father. This familial language underscores the adoption of believers into God's family, as seen in passages like Romans 8:15, where Paul speaks of receiving the Spirit of sonship. The use of "our" indicates a communal relationship, emphasizing the unity of the church as the family of God. This reflects the Jewish understanding of God as Father, a concept that Jesus frequently taught, as seen in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9).

and the Lord Jesus Christ

The title "Lord Jesus Christ" affirms the divinity and authority of Jesus. "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios) was a term used for God in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, and its application to Jesus signifies His divine status. "Jesus" is the human name given at His birth, meaning "Yahweh saves," and "Christ" (Greek: Christos) is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One." This title encapsulates the belief in Jesus as both Savior and King, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. The acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord was a radical declaration in the Roman world, where Caesar was often hailed as lord, thus affirming the early Christians' allegiance to Christ above all earthly powers.

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In the gracious words of 1 Corinthians 1:3, "Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ," we hear the voice of Paul, the apostle called by divine mercy, extending a benediction that echoes the heart of the gospel to the church at Corinth. Penned under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this greeting is no mere formality but a profound invocation of divine favor and tranquility, rooted in the eternal communion of the Father and the Son. Herein lies a declaration of God’s unmerited grace and reconciling peace, bestowed upon a people called to be saints, yet struggling amidst division and sin, that they might be anchored in the unchanging love of their Creator and Redeemer.

The opening invocation of "grace" is the foundation of all that follows, for it is the unearned favor of God, freely given to those unworthy, which forms the bedrock of salvation. This grace, flowing from the heart of God our Father, is the same that called Paul from his persecution to apostleship (Galatians 1:15) and now extends to the Corinthians, a church born of that same divine initiative. It is the grace that justifies the sinner, sanctifies the believer, and sustains the church through trials. In pronouncing "grace be unto you," Paul does not merely wish but invokes the active, transformative power of God, which, like a river, overflows to cleanse, renew, and empower those who receive it. It is the grace of God in Christ, who became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The blessing of "peace" follows, a gift inseparable from grace, for it is the fruit of reconciliation wrought by the cross. This peace is not the fleeting calm of the world but the shalom of God, a wholeness that restores the soul to fellowship with its Maker. It flows "from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ," revealing the unity of the Godhead in the work of redemption. The Father, source of all goodness, and the Son, the mediator of the new covenant, together pour out this peace upon a church torn by strife and pride (1 Corinthians 1:10–13). To a people divided over human leaders, Paul’s greeting points to the true source of unity, the One who reconciles all things to Himself (Colossians 1:20). This peace, bestowed through Christ, calms the heart, heals division, and establishes the believer in the assurance of God’s eternal covenant.

The dual source of this blessing, "from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ," unveils the mystery of the gospel, where the Father and the Son, distinct yet one, work in perfect harmony to redeem a fallen world. To call God "our Father" is to proclaim the intimacy of adoption, for through Christ we are no longer slaves but sons, crying, "Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15). To name Jesus as "Lord" is to confess His divine authority and redemptive work, for He is the Christ, anointed to save and rule. This shared attribution of grace and peace underscores the deity of Christ, equal with the Father, and the unity of their purpose in the salvation of the church. It echoes the priestly blessing of old, where God’s face shone upon His people (Numbers 6:24–26), now fulfilled in the face of Jesus Christ, the radiance of God’s glory (Hebrews 1:3).

This verse, though brief, pulses with the life of the gospel, setting the tone for Paul’s epistle, which will confront the Corinthians’ failures yet call them to the wisdom and power of the cross. It stands as a reminder that the church, though flawed, is ever the recipient of God’s grace and the dwelling place of His peace. It recalls the apostolic mission, not to condemn but to restore, that the saints might walk worthy of their calling. For the Corinthians, a church rich in gifts yet poor in unity, this greeting is both a comfort and a challenge, summoning them to rest in God’s unmerited favor while striving for the peace that binds them as one body in Christ.

For the faithful today, this verse is a clarion call to receive afresh the grace that saves and the peace that sustains. It bids us rest in the Father’s love, revealed through the Son, and to live as those transformed by His mercy. It urges us to pursue peace in our churches, casting aside division for the sake of Him who unites us. Let us, with Paul, proclaim the God who pours out grace and peace, lifting our hearts in gratitude to the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who call us into fellowship with Himself. Blessed be His name, who bestows upon His people the riches of His grace and the fullness of His peace, that we might shine as lights in a world longing for redemption.

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, who has washed us in His own blood, and made us heirs according to the promise of life everlasting. To all who in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours, I write to you in the confidence of His mercy and in the joy of His salvation.

Let every heart be established in the grace that has been given us from above, for this is no earthly gift, nor a passing sentiment, but the favor of God extended to unworthy sinners, the unmerited kindness of our Creator poured out through the cross of Christ. This grace is not found in ourselves, nor can it be earned by works, nor preserved by strength of will, but it is freely given through faith in Him who died and rose again. It is this grace that calls, this grace that forgives, this grace that sustains, and this grace that shall bring us blameless before His throne with exceeding joy.

And peace—what is peace, if not the fruit of grace, the evidence of reconciliation, the quieting of enmity between God and man? This peace is not as the world gives, nor can it be fashioned by treaties or sustained by riches. It is peace that flows from the wound of Christ and settles in the hearts of those who believe. It is the rest promised to the weary, the calm in the midst of the storm, the stillness that passes understanding and stands as a witness to a kingdom not of this world.

Let every believer take hold of this peace with assurance, for it has been spoken and sealed by the Lord Himself. If God has declared peace, who shall declare war? If He has reconciled us through the body of His Son, shall we doubt our standing before Him? Let no trial rob you of this peace, nor any affliction cause you to forget the grace in which you stand. For the Lord is faithful, and His promises are sure. The same God who spoke the worlds into existence has spoken peace over your life, and none can annul what He has decreed.

To those who are troubled, I say: the grace of God is sufficient for you. To those who are anxious, I say: the peace of God shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. To those who feel unworthy, I say: grace is for the humble and peace is for those who have been brought near by the blood. Do not think that you must earn what has been freely given. Do not strive to obtain what God has already bestowed through His beloved Son. You are not saved by the strength of your grip, but by the faithfulness of His hand.

This grace and peace are not temporary visitors but abiding companions. They shall follow you all the days of your life, and they shall bring you safely to the house of the Lord forever. They shall guide you in the path of righteousness, strengthen you in the hour of temptation, comfort you in the shadow of death, and lift your head in the day of resurrection. And if grace has begun the work in you, peace shall finish it, for He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Let the grace that saved you teach you to deny ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. Let the peace that passes understanding rule in your hearts, and let thanksgiving be your song. Walk as children of light, not because you fear the darkness, but because you are called by grace and kept in peace.

And may the Church, which is the body of Christ, abound in this grace and be marked by this peace. Let our gatherings be filled not with strife or vain ambition, but with gentleness, patience, and love. Let grace be upon our lips, peace in our steps, and truth in our witness. For the world shall know we are His by our love, and by the joy with which we suffer for His name.

Now may the God of grace and the Lord of peace sanctify you wholly; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, and He will surely do it. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all. Peace be to all who are in Christ.

Amen.

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Eternal and Sovereign God, our Father in heaven, whose name is holy, whose mercy endures forever, and whose truth is established in the heavens, we lift up our hearts to You in reverence and thanksgiving. From You and through You and to You are all things, and to You belongs glory, both now and forever. You are the God of all grace, who calls us into the fellowship of Your Son, and the God of peace, who speaks stillness into the storm and rest to the weary. In the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Lord, we come before You with gratitude, trusting in Your unfailing kindness.

We thank You, Lord, for the grace that has appeared to us—not earned by labor, nor found in our striving, but given freely through the righteousness of Christ, who became poor that we might become rich in Him. This grace, which was before the foundation of the world purposed in Your will, was revealed in the fullness of time through the Word made flesh. By this grace we are saved, justified freely, and made new in heart and mind. We were once far off, but now have been brought near by the blood of Christ. We were lost, and You found us; we were blind, and You gave us sight; we were dead in trespasses, and You made us alive together with Him.

O Lord, let Your grace abide with us daily—not only as the beginning of our salvation but as its sustainer. Let it teach us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live upright, self-controlled, and godly lives in this present age. Let Your grace shape our speech, sanctify our thoughts, strengthen our hearts, and draw us into deeper communion with You. May Your grace be evident in our humility, our love for one another, our forgiveness, and our joy. May it overflow to those around us, that others may see the beauty of Your mercy and come to know the riches of Your kindness.

And we pray also, O God, for Your peace—that peace which passes all understanding, which the world cannot give and cannot take away. We thank You that, having been justified by faith, we have peace with You through our Lord Jesus Christ. No longer are we enemies, no longer are we condemned, for the wall of hostility has been torn down, and You have reconciled us to Yourself through the cross. O Father, let this peace rule in our hearts. Let it quiet the anxious soul and comfort the sorrowful. Let it be the anchor in our trials and the stillness in our storms.

Make Your peace the foundation of our unity, that we may be of one heart and one mind in Christ. Drive far from us all division, strife, and bitterness, and fill us with the peaceable wisdom that is from above. Let the Church be known as a dwelling place of peace, where the Spirit binds us together in love and where Your presence is our delight. May we live at peace with all, as far as it depends on us, bearing with one another in patience, forgiving as we have been forgiven, and seeking always to walk in the way of peace.

We acknowledge, O Lord, that grace and peace are not our own doing, but flow freely from You. They are gifts not only to be received, but to be guarded and shared. Keep us, therefore, by Your power. Preserve us in the simplicity of faith and in the strength of love. Let the grace of Christ and the peace of the Spirit rest upon our homes, our churches, our work, and our witness. Let us not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, make our requests known to You. And let Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Now unto You, O God of grace and God of peace, we offer our worship and our trust. May grace and peace be multiplied to all who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in every place. May grace abound where sin once ruled. May peace reign where fear once dwelled. And may the blessing of Your presence go with us and remain with us, both now and forever.

In the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and King, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and unto the ages of ages.

Amen.