Grace to you and peace
Grace to you and peace Galatians 1:3 Excerpt 1:3 χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη . The normal word of salutation at the beginning of a Greek letter was χαίρειν ( ‘rejoice’ ); the normal word of salutation at the beginning of a Jewish letter was šālôm , είρήνη ( ‘peace’ ). The amplified form of ‘mercy and peace’ ( cf . 6:16 ) seems to have been current in some Jewish circles ( cf. 2 Bar. 78:2 ). The form χάρις καὶ εἰρήνη is characteristically Pauline; both ‘grace’ and ‘peace’ have their full Christian force. Grace is God’s unconditioned good will toward mankind which is decisively expressed in the saving work of Christ ( cf. v 6 ; 2:21 ); peace is the state of life—peace with God ( Rom. 5:1 ) and peace with one another ( Eph. 2:14–18 )—enjoyed by those who have effectively experienced the divine grace ( cf . 5:22 ; 6:16 ) More Bruce, F. F. The Epistle to the Galatians : A Commentary on the Greek Text . Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. E...