Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (day seven)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. -2 Corinthians 1:2
You may have noticed I will often close letters with the phrase “Grace & Peace” rather than “Sincerely”. A couple of years ago I decided that I would make that habit based on the Pauline epistles. Paul always includes some type of formal salutary blessing that includes grace and peace toward the recipient (Rom. 1:7, 1 Cor. 1:3, 2 Cor. 1:2, Gal. 1:3, Eph. 1:2, Phil. 1:2, Col. 1:2, 1 Thess. 1:1, 2 Thess. 1:2, 1 Tim. 1:2, 2 Tim. 1:2, Titus 1:4, Philemon 1:3).
Since Paul always did it I thought I should too. So, I now close letters with this formal Christian blessing over the recipient. There is some scholarly speculation concerning what Paul meant by including those two words. I take them to mean a full compilation of the work of God toward humanity found in Scripture. Grace being the New Testament work of God in Christ through the Holy Spirit, and peace being similar to the Old Testament shalom. In two words all of Scripture is prayed over you.
Grace & Peace
CJ
