Grace and peace to youThe greeting "Grace and peace" is a common apostolic salutation found in many of Paul's letters. "Grace" (Greek: charis) refers to the unmerited favor and kindness of God, a central theme in Christian theology emphasizing salvation as a gift from God. "Peace" (Greek: eirene) reflects the Hebrew concept of "shalom," which means wholeness and well-being. This greeting encapsulates the essence of the Gospel message, which brings reconciliation with God and inner tranquility. The combination of grace and peace signifies the transformation that believers experience through faith in Christ.
from God our Father
The phrase "from God our Father" highlights the intimate relationship believers have with God, who is not only the Creator but also a loving Father. This familial language underscores the adoption of believers into God's family, as seen in passages likeRomans 8:15, where Paul speaks of receiving the Spirit of sonship. The use of "our" indicates a communal relationship, emphasizing the unity of the church as the family of God. This reflects the Jewish understanding of God as Father, a concept that Jesus frequently taught, as seen in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9).
and the Lord Jesus Christ
The title "Lord Jesus Christ" affirms the divinity and authority of Jesus. "Lord" (Greek: Kyrios) was a term used for God in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament, and its application to Jesus signifies His divine status. "Jesus" is the human name given at His birth, meaning "Yahweh saves," and "Christ" (Greek: Christos) is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah," meaning "Anointed One." This title encapsulates the belief in Jesus as both Savior and King, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah. The acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord was a radical declaration in the Roman world, where Caesar was often hailed as lord, thus affirming the early Christians' allegiance to Christ above all earthly powers.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
PaulThe apostle who authored the letter to the Corinthians, addressing issues within the church and providing guidance.
2.
CorinthA major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral challenges, where the early Christian church faced various issues.
3.
God the FatherThe first person of the Trinity, the source of grace and peace.
4.
Lord Jesus ChristThe second person of the Trinity, through whom believers receive grace and peace.
5.
The Corinthian ChurchThe recipients of the letter, a diverse group of believers facing internal divisions and moral challenges.
Teaching Points
Understanding Grace and PeaceGrace ("charis" in Greek) is the unmerited favor of God, a foundational concept in Christian theology. It is through grace that believers are saved and sustained.
Peace ("eirene" in Greek) refers to the tranquility and wholeness that comes from a right relationship with God. It is both a present reality and a future promise for believers.
Source of Grace and PeaceBoth grace and peace originate from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This underscores the divine nature of these gifts and the unity of the Father and the Son in the work of salvation.
Living in Grace and PeaceBelievers are called to live in the grace and peace provided by God. This involves trusting in God's provision, resting in His promises, and extending grace and peace to others.
The Role of the TrinityThe greeting highlights the roles of the Father and the Son in the believer's life, encouraging a deeper understanding of the Trinity and its implications for daily living.
Application in CommunityThe greeting serves as a reminder to the church community to embody grace and peace in their interactions, promoting unity and love within the body of Christ.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 1:3?
2.How can we experience "grace and peace" in our daily lives today?
3.What role does "God our Father" play in granting grace and peace?
4.How does 1 Corinthians 1:3 connect with other New Testament greetings?
5.In what ways can we extend grace and peace to others?
6.Why is acknowledging "the Lord Jesus Christ" essential for receiving grace and peace?
7.How does 1 Corinthians 1:3 define grace and peace in a believer's life?
8.Why does Paul emphasize grace and peace in his letters, including 1 Corinthians 1:3?
9.How does 1 Corinthians 1:3 reflect the relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 1?
11.What defines the true gospel?
12.What is the significance of 'Father of Mercies'?
13.How can we return to God's wisdom and righteousness?
14.What does the Greek word "charis" mean in English?What Does 1 Corinthians 1:3 Mean
Grace- Paul opens with “Grace,” placing God’s unearned favor at the forefront. Just as we were “saved by grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8–9), every aspect of Christian life starts and ends with that same grace.
- Grace is not a vague sentiment; it is God’s decisive action in Christ.Titus 2:11 reminds us that “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to everyone,” underscoring that grace is both a gift and a power that trains us to live godly lives.
-Romans 5:1–2 links grace to our standing before God: “Through Him we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.” Paul’s greeting therefore celebrates the believer’s secure position.
and peace- Grace naturally produces “peace.” Because sin’s barrier is removed (Romans 5:1), believers enjoy objective peace with God and can experience the subjective “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
- Jesus personally promised, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). Paul’s two-word pairing shows peace is not merely calm feelings but the settled reconciliation Christ accomplished.
to you- The greeting is personal and corporate. Paul does not say “to the spiritually elite” but “to you,” meaning every member of the Corinthian church, including those struggling with immaturity (1 Corinthians 3:1–3).
- Similar phrasing inRomans 1:7 andGalatians 1:3 highlights that grace and peace are God’s ongoing gifts to real people in real places, not abstract concepts for perfect Christians.
from God our Father- Grace and peace have a single fountainhead: “God our Father.”James 1:17 affirms, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
- Calling God “our Father” stresses adoption.John 1:12 declares, “To all who received Him… He gave the right to become children of God.” The greeting reminds believers they approach God not as distant subjects but as loved children (Psalm 103:13).
and the Lord Jesus Christ- Paul places the Son alongside the Father, highlighting their unity and equality (John 10:30). The same grace and peace flow equally “from” both.
- The title “Lord” affirms Jesus’ sovereign authority (Acts 2:36), while “Jesus” recalls His saving work (Matthew 1:21), and “Christ” proclaims Him the promised Messiah (Acts 17:3).
-Colossians 1:19–20 explains why grace and peace can come through Him: “God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things… making peace through the blood of His cross.”Hebrews 1:3 further underscores His divine role, “He upholds all things by His powerful word.”
summaryPaul’s brief greeting is packed with theology and reassurance: the unmerited favor (grace) God extends through Christ produces a reconciled relationship (peace) that belongs personally to every believer. Both blessings originate simultaneously from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, underscoring their shared deity and the believer’s secure family standing.
(3)
Grace be unto you, and peace.--This is the usual style of apostolic greeting (
Galatians 1:3;
Ephesians 1:2), and with these words the address and greeting which open the Epistle conclude.
Verse 3. -
Grace to you and peace. This is St. Paul's greeting in all the Epistles except the pastoral Epistles, in which he beautifully adds the word "mercy." It is a remarkable blending of the Greek and Jewish salutations. The Greeks said
Ξαίρειν, and to them the word "grace" involved the notions of joy and brightness and prosperity. The calmer and more solemn greeting of the East was, "Peace be to thee." The Church unites both forms of greeting - "grace," the beginning of every blessing; "peace," the end of all blessings; and into both she infuses a deeper meaning, that of a "joy" which defied all tribulations, and a" peace which passeth all understanding."
From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. God is the Source of "every good gift and every perfect gift." God is our Father as our Creator, and as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we become, in a higher sense, his children. Christ, in his mediatorial kingdom, is specially and immediately "our Lord," though that phrase, now so universal, only occurs (in its isolated form) in
Hebrews 7:14.
Jesus Christ. One of St. Paul's peculiarities of style is the constant reiteration of one dominant word. In the first nine verses of this Epistle, the Name "Jesus Christ" is repeated no less than nine times. "Observe," says St. Chrysostom, "how he
nails them down to the Name of Christ, not mentioning any man, either apostle or teacher, but continually mentioning him for whom they yearn, as men preparing to awaken those who are drowsy after a debauch. For nowhere in any other Epistle is the Name of Christ so continually introduced By means of it he weaves together almost his whole exordium."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
GraceΧάρις(Charis)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485:From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.peaceεἰρήνη(eirēnē)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1515:Probably from a primary verb eiro; peace; by implication, prosperity.to youὑμῖν(hymin)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.fromἀπὸ(apo)Preposition
Strong's 575:From, away from. A primary particle; 'off, ' i.e. Away, in various senses.GodΘεοῦ(Theou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.ourἡμῶν(hēmōn)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural
Strong's 1473:I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.FatherΠατρὸς(Patros)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962:Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.andκαὶ(kai)Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.[the] LordΚυρίου(Kyriou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962:Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.JesusἸησοῦ(Iēsou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424:Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.Christ.Χριστοῦ(Christou)Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.
Links
1 Corinthians 1:3 NIV1 Corinthians 1:3 NLT1 Corinthians 1:3 ESV1 Corinthians 1:3 NASB1 Corinthians 1:3 KJV
1 Corinthians 1:3 BibleApps.com1 Corinthians 1:3 Biblia Paralela1 Corinthians 1:3 Chinese Bible1 Corinthians 1:3 French Bible1 Corinthians 1:3 Catholic Bible
NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) 
