1 Corinthians 1:3 kjv

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:3 nkjv

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:3 niv

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:3 esv

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:3 nlt

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

1 Corinthians 1 verses

1 Corinthians 1 3 Meaning

The third verse of First Corinthians begins Paul's traditional apostolic greeting, extending a dual divine blessing to the Corinthian believers. "Grace" signifies God's unmerited favor, encompassing divine love, enablement, and transforming power, freely given irrespective of human worth. "Peace" denotes wholeness, well-being, and reconciliation—not merely the absence of conflict but a spiritual flourishing that results from a right relationship with God. Both are presented as gifts originating directly "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," affirming the unified divine source of salvation and blessing through both persons of the Trinity. This greeting serves as a foundational declaration, setting the theological context for the entire epistle by establishing that all solutions to their spiritual and moral issues must come from God's benevolence and Christ's sovereign authority.

1 Corinthians 1 3 Context

1 Corinthians chapter 1, verse 3, initiates the formal opening of Paul's letter to the Corinthian church. Following the salutation (verses 1-2) which establishes his apostleship and identifies the recipients as those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be saints, this verse delivers a pivotal blessing of "grace and peace." Historically, Roman letters often began with a simple greeting (e.g., "greetings" - chairein). Paul transforms this secular opening into a profoundly theological statement by replacing the standard "greetings" with "grace" (charis) and coupling it with "peace" (eirēnē), a common Hebrew greeting (shalom). This fusion not only elevates the blessing to a divine source but also sets the tone for addressing the multifaceted issues within the Corinthian community, such as divisions, immorality, and spiritual pride. It reminds the contentious Corinthians that true blessing and their very identity come not from their own status or achievements but solely from the sovereign favor of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, laying the theological groundwork for the subsequent correctives and teachings throughout the epistle.

1 Corinthians 1 3 Word analysis

• Grace (χάρις, charis):
  • Meaning: Unmerited favor, divine enablement, undeserved gift. It refers to God's benevolent action toward humanity, especially in providing salvation through Christ.
  • Significance: It is fundamental to Paul's theology, emphasizing that salvation and spiritual blessings are not earned but freely given by God's kindness. It contrasts human merit-based systems common in the ancient world.
  • Biblical usage: Often linked to Christ's coming (Jn 1:17) and the means of salvation (Eph 2:8).
• and (καὶ, kai):
  • Meaning: A conjunction, connecting "grace" and "peace," indicating that both are simultaneous gifts.
  • Significance: Emphasizes that peace is a consequence or a necessary companion of receiving God's grace. True spiritual wholeness flows from God's undeserved favor.
• Peace (εἰρήνη, eirēnē):
  • Meaning: Wholeness, well-being, tranquility, reconciliation. Beyond the absence of conflict, it signifies flourishing, security, and a state of harmony.
  • Significance: In the biblical context, it derives from the Hebrew shalom, implying not just internal quietude but restoration of right relationships—first with God, then with others. It is the natural fruit of God's grace in the life of a believer.
  • Polemics: This "peace" contrasts sharply with the fragile, outward peace often pursued in the Roman world, which was often achieved through conquest or appeasement; biblical peace is an inner spiritual reality.
• unto you (ὑμῖν, hymin):
  • Meaning: Dative plural pronoun, indicating the recipients: the Corinthian believers.
  • Significance: Personalizes the greeting, directly addressing the specific community Paul is writing to, despite their struggles and divisions. It highlights the divine blessing specifically for them.
• from (ἀπὸ, apo):
  • Meaning: Indicates source or origin.
  • Significance: Crucially establishes the divine provenance of both grace and peace, clearly stating they are not self-generated or earthly derived, but come from God alone.
• God (θεοῦ, theou):
  • Meaning: Refers to the divine Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
  • Significance: Acknowledges the ultimate divine source of all blessings. In Paul's letters, God is consistently portrayed as sovereign and benevolent.
• our Father (Πατρὸς ἡμῶν, Patros hēmōn):
  • Meaning: Refers to God's paternal relationship with believers.
  • Significance: Highlights the intimate, familial relationship believers have with God through adoption in Christ (Rom 8:15). It underscores His loving care and authority. "Our Father" points to a shared identity among believers.
• and (καὶ, kai):
  • Meaning: Conjunction connecting the two divine sources.
  • Significance: Establishes the equal standing of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ as co-equal givers of grace and peace, underscoring the functional unity within the Godhead in extending salvation and blessing.
• the Lord (Κυρίου, Kyriou):
  • Meaning: Denotes authority, sovereignty, and often deity. In the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint), Kyrios is used for YHWH.
  • Significance: Attributes divine status and authority to Jesus, acknowledging Him as sovereign ruler and deserving of worship. This title connects Jesus to the divine identity of the God of Israel.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦ, Iēsou):
  • Meaning: The human name, meaning "Savior" or "Yahweh saves."
  • Significance: Identifies the historical person of Jesus, emphasizing His humanity and His mission as the Christ who provides salvation.
• Christ (Χριστοῦ, Christou):
  • Meaning: Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah, meaning "Anointed One."
  • Significance: Identifies Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the promised deliverer and King, designated by God for a special redemptive purpose.
  • Words-group analysis:
  • "Grace and peace": This distinctive Pauline pairing replaces the typical secular Greek greeting (chairein meaning 'rejoice/greetings') with charis (grace) and integrates the Hebrew greeting of shalom (peace). It represents the full spiritual blessing of God that results from reconciliation through Christ, foundational for a holy life. This blended greeting embodies the essence of the Christian gospel—divine favor leads to spiritual well-being.
  • "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ": This phrase directly attributes the source of "grace and peace" to both God the Father and Jesus Christ, functionally placing them on the same level as givers of divine blessing. This powerful statement underscores Christ's full deity and His co-equality with the Father within the divine operation of salvation and sustained blessing. It is a subtle yet profound affirmation of Trinitarian unity in action, particularly significant given the theological complexities addressed later in the letter.

1 Corinthians 1 3 Bonus section

The inclusion of "Lord Jesus Christ" alongside "God our Father" as co-sources of "grace and peace" is a characteristic and theologically weighty aspect of Pauline greetings. This pattern recurs in nearly all his epistles, which stands as an implicit affirmation of Christ's full deity and co-equality with the Father in the bestowal of saving blessings. It goes beyond acknowledging Jesus as merely a prophet or great teacher; it elevates Him to a divine giver of ultimate spiritual benefits, challenging any lesser Christology that may have subtly crept into the early church, even at Corinth. The Greek Kyrios for "Lord" resonated strongly with the Septuagint's use for YHWH, subtly placing Jesus within the sphere of divine prerogative. This apostolic blessing not only served as a greeting but functioned as a declaration of theological truth and a prayer for the ongoing spiritual sustenance of the recipients, grounding their entire walk in Christ's authority and God's benevolent will.

1 Corinthians 1 3 Commentary

1 Corinthians 1:3, while seemingly a simple opening, is a rich theological statement. It grounds the entire subsequent discourse in the foundational reality of divine grace and peace as the sole basis for the believers' identity and solution to their problems. Paul, before addressing the divisions and dysfunctions at Corinth, first reminds them of their common spiritual heritage. The double gift of "grace and peace" emphasizes God's proactive, benevolent provision for humanity's deepest needs—unmerited favor (grace) as the wellspring, and comprehensive wholeness/reconciliation (peace) as its transformative outcome. This flow originates from two distinct yet united divine sources: God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. By linking the Father and the Son in this manner, Paul not only highlights Christ's divine authority and identity but also subtly reinforces the unity and cooperation within the Godhead. For a church riddled with factions, immorality, and pride, this blessing was not a mere formality but a poignant reminder that their salvation, sustenance, and potential for reconciliation lay entirely outside themselves, secured by the shared salvific work of the Father and the Son. This serves as a vital anchor, emphasizing that genuine Christian living springs from this divine supply, enabling them to pursue holiness and unity. For instance, in facing internal strife (e.g., chapters 1-4), understanding grace as unmerited favor reduces human boasting, while true peace fosters harmony; for moral failures (e.g., chapter 5), peace with God is foundational for repentance and restoration.