Written by Scott Fiddler
The Word
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Ephesians 1:1-3 NASB
Reflection
Nose blindness is an interesting phenomenon. If you smell something long enough, you will no longer smell it. Sometimes people say familiarity breeds contempt, but familiarity sometimes breeds blindness. It is the same with words. We can hear the same words or phrases so often they no longer carry meaning.
Such is the case with the phrase “grace and peace to you.” Paul uses the phrase in one form or another thirteen times in his New Testament letters. He uses it to greet the recipients of his letters and sometimes when ending his letters. It’s easy to skim over the phrase as if it was a meaningless gesture, but it is far from meaningless.
The word grace or (Greek, “charis”) refers to the God’s favor, which He gives to enable us to do what we not otherwise be able to do in our own natural strength. It is this grace that is given to the humble (James 4:6), that manifests His power in our weaknesses (II Cor. 12:9), and that is present in time of need (Heb. 4:16). And it is this grace Paul is asking be imparted to the Ephesians in the opening to his letter.
The word peace or (Greek, “eirene”) refers to a God-given tranquility and freedom from worry and anxiety. It is the peace which comes with the Holy Spirit and manifests the presence of the kingdom of God (Rom. 14:17), that can guard our hearts and minds, and which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7).
Application
In short, Paul is telling the Ephesians he is hoping they experience God’s supernatural power and presence, which is a little more powerful than “Greetings” or “What up?” It is not an inconsequential salutation but an exhortative aspiration.
Prayer
Lord, help me live daily in your grace and peace. Amen.
City Life Starter 
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