Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Philippians 1:2

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." — Philippians 1:2 (ASV)

The familiar blessing, “grace and peace,” combines Greek and Hebrew expressions but transforms them into a thoroughly Christian greeting. God’s “grace” (GK 5921) is his favor, needed by us in countless ways and bestowed without regard to merit. “Peace” (GK 1645) refers not to the cessation of hostilities between sinners and God (Romans 5:1), but to the inner assurance and tranquility that God ministers to the hearts of believers and that keeps them spiritually confident and content even in the midst of turmoil (4:7). The source of these blessings is “God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” To Paul, Jesus the Messiah is the divine Lord, ascended to the Father’s right hand and equal to him in authority and honor. Just as Christ and the Father joined in the sending of the Holy Spirit (15:26), so they jointly convey these blessings.