Paul began most of his letters with the greeting “grace to you and peace” because these two words summarize the blessings of the gospel and reflect the believer’s position in Christ. For example:
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 1:7)
Grace
speaks of God’s unmerited favor through Christ. Salvation is by grace alone, not by works (Ephesians 2:8–9). By beginning with grace, Paul reminds believers that everything they have: salvation, forgiveness, spiritual strength, and it comes as a gift from God.
Peace refers to the reconciliation believers have with God through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). Before salvation, we were enemies of God, but through Christ’s death and resurrection, we have peace with Him. This peace also extends to relationships within the body of Christ (Colossians 3:15).
Paul’s greeting combines these two terms to express the fullness of the gospel: grace is the source, and peace is the result. Grace precedes peace because we cannot experience peace with God until we receive His grace in salvation.
This phrase also unites both Jewish and Gentile believers. “Grace” reflected the common Greek greeting (charis), and “peace” translated the Hebrew greeting (shalom). By using both, Paul demons/”>demonstrated the unity of the church in Christ.
In summary, Paul’s opening words were more than a polite greeting, they were a theological reminder that every spiritual blessing flows from God’s grace and results in true peace through Jesus Christ.
