Romans 1:7 – Grace and peace

… to all who are in Rome, beloved by God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is a universal greeting in all Paul’s letters. Grace and peace from GOD. In that order. It starts with grace, favor, “joy for nothing” from God. Isn’t it significant that Paul prefers this greeting by the fact that his readers are “beloved by GOD”. They have not been considered “nice” or “attractive” or “performing well”. Then their being loved would be based on their own qualities. But that is not the love (> agape) of GOD. GOD’s love is based on the fact that He is our Father: we come from Him. He is our Creator, we are work of his hands. He never lets go of that!

GOD’s love is the source of grace for all mankind. As Paul later writes (3:23, 24): “… all sinned, and are wanting of the glory of God, being justified gratuitously, in his grace … in Christ Jesus.” Grace and peace from GOD is not a wish or a desire, but the communication of a fact. A notification, a good message!

Delen: