Philemon 1 3

Philemon 1:3 kjv

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

Philemon 1:3 nkjv

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

Philemon 1:3 niv

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

Philemon 1:3 esv

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

Philemon 1:3 nlt

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

Philemon 1 verses

Philemon 1 3 Meaning

Philemon 1:3 conveys a standard Pauline greeting, which is a prayer and a statement of spiritual blessing, specifically bestowing "grace" and "peace" upon the recipients. This grace is God's undeserved favor, the source of all spiritual benefits, and peace is the wholeness and reconciliation that results from this divine grace, first with God and then internally and with others. These blessings do not originate from human effort or worldly sources but flow solely "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," emphasizing the divine and triune source of all true spiritual well-being.

Philemon 1 3 Context

Philemon 1:3 serves as the foundational greeting within Paul's deeply personal letter to Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church meeting in Philemon's house in Colossae. Preceding this verse is Paul's self-identification and that of Timothy, followed by the specific addressees (Philemon 1:1-2). This salutation establishes the theological framework for the entire letter. Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, is about to intercede on behalf of Onesimus, a runaway slave who has become a brother in Christ to Paul and is now returning to his former master, Philemon. The concepts of "grace" and "peace" introduced here are not mere formalities; they are the divine virtues upon which Paul bases his appeal for Philemon to extend forgiveness, reconciliation, and brotherly love to Onesimus, transcending the prevailing socio-cultural norms regarding slavery and master-slave relationships in the Roman world. The context anticipates the need for extraordinary grace (from Philemon to Onesimus) and radical peace (reconciliation of broken relationships), both stemming from the divine source mentioned in this verse.

Philemon 1 3 Word analysis

• Grace (Greek: charis, χάρις): This is divine favor, freely given, undeserved. It signifies God's unmerited, active, and beneficial love and power at work in the lives of believers. It is the basis for salvation (Eph 2:8), spiritual gifts (Rom 12:6), and empowered living. In the context of Philemon, it lays the groundwork for Philemon's ability to act graciously toward Onesimus, mirroring the grace he has received from God.
• to you: Directly addresses the recipients, personalizing the blessing. This emphasizes that these spiritual realities are not abstract but personally applied.
• and (Greek: kai, καί): More than a simple conjunction, it often implies a connection where the second element (peace) flows from or is dependent on the first (grace). Grace is the enabling power, peace is the outcome.
• peace (Greek: eirene, εἰρήνη): Derives from the Hebrew concept of shalom (שָׁלוֹם), which denotes not just absence of conflict but wholeness, well-being, harmony, prosperity, and spiritual reconciliation. This is internal tranquility, right relationship with God, and restoration of broken relationships. It stands in contrast to the Roman concept of Pax Romana, which was peace imposed by imperial force and conquest; biblical peace is organic, divinely given, and relational.
• from: Identifies the source, emphatically stating that these blessings do not originate from human effort, status, or worldly power. They are a gift.
• God: The supreme Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the ultimate source of all good things.
• our Father: Establishes a covenantal, familial relationship. This is not a distant deity, but the relational God who is accessible and loving towards His children. The use of "our" includes Paul, the recipients, and all believers in this familial bond.
• and (Greek: kai, καί): Connects the Father and the Son as joint sources of grace and peace, underscoring their unified nature and divine authority.
• the Lord (Greek: Kyrios, Κύριος): A title of ultimate authority and deity, recognizing Jesus Christ's divine sovereignty. It echoes the Septuagint's use of Kyrios for Yahweh.
• Jesus: The human name of the Son of God, signifying His incarnation and identity as Savior (Matt 1:21).
• Christ (Greek: Christos, Χριστός): The Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah (מָשִׁיחַ), meaning "Anointed One." It highlights His office as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, the chosen Deliverer, King, and High Priest.

Philemon 1 3 Bonus section

The consistent Pauline inclusion of "Grace and Peace" is sometimes interpreted as a purposeful synthesis of traditional Greek greetings (Chairein - joy, transformed into charis - grace) and traditional Hebrew greetings (Shalom - peace). This unique blend reflects the dual cultural background of the early Christian movement and signifies that Christian greetings offer something profoundly spiritual and eternal, far surpassing mere well-wishing. The repetition of this specific phrase across multiple letters also highlights its foundational theological significance for Paul, underpinning the entire fabric of the Christian life. For Paul, grace is the engine of Christian living, and peace is its desired outcome, both sourced perfectly and entirely in God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

Philemon 1 3 Commentary

Philemon 1:3 is more than a polite salutation; it encapsulates core Pauline theology and sets the spiritual tone for the entire letter. The pairing of "grace" and "peace" is a consistent hallmark of Paul's letters, unique to his epistolary openings and reflecting the essence of the Christian message. Grace (charis) precedes peace (eirene) because true peace—reconciliation with God and inner wholeness—is impossible without the prior intervention of God's unmerited favor through Christ. This grace empowers believers not only for their salvation but also for their sanctification and their daily interactions, especially in challenging situations like that presented by Onesimus. The definitive source of these blessings, "God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ," firmly roots them in the divine Person and work of the triune God. This emphasizes that genuine spiritual blessings are entirely supernatural in origin, not earned or produced by human means. For Philemon, recognizing that all his blessings and the power to live righteously came from this divine source would have directly impacted his understanding of how to treat Onesimus, moving him from a secular view of justice to a Christ-like practice of mercy and forgiveness. The verse implicitly challenges societal norms of the time by positing a spiritual brotherhood in Christ that transcends earthly status distinctions.