Paul’s Greeting

Ephesians 1:2

Excerpt

Paul’s extension of grace (charis) and peace is different from the normal Greek letters which had only “greetings” or “greeting” (chairein; e.g., the apocryphal 1 Maccabees 10:18, 25; thousands of ancient papyri letters; and Acts 15:23; 23:26; James 1:1). “Grace” expresses God’s steadfast love toward man and “peace” shows the relational state as a result of that grace. Paul opened his letter to the church at Ephesus with greetings to the believers there, expressing his wish that God’s grace and peace be with them. (See the chart “Paul’s Introductions to His Epistles” at Rom. 1:1-7.) More

Hoehner, Harold W. “Ephesians.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 615. Print.