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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadCambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges - Ephesians 1:2 - 1:2
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2. χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη. St Paul’s regular greeting, found also in 1 and 2 Peter. It is strengthened by the addition of ἔλεος in 1 and 2 Tim., 2 John. In Jude we find ἔλεος καὶ εἰρήνη καὶ ἀγάπη. Only in James do we find the usual classical χαίρειν. The source (see Hort on 1Pe 1:2) is probably to be found in the High Priestly Blessing, Num 6:25 f., where חֵן (grace or mercy) is combined with peace. Both words in a remarkable way run through the whole Epistle. For χάρις cf. Eph 1:6-7, Eph 2:5; Eph 2:7-8, Eph 3:2; Eph 3:7-8, Eph 4:7, (? 29), Eph 6:24. See on Eph 1:6. For εἰρήνη cf. Eph 2:14-15; Eph 2:17, Eph 4:3, Eph 6:15; Eph 6:23.
ἀπὸ θεοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. This is St Paul’s usual way of describing the source of the grace and peace for which he prays, God now revealed as our Father and Jesus acknowledged as Christ and Lord. The combination of Jesus with God in one phrase under one preposition is a striking indication of faith in His Divinity. (See Lightfoot on Gal 1:2.) The Epistle is richer than any other Epistle of St Paul’s in reff. to the Fatherhood of God. See on Eph 2:18. The use of κύριος is also remarkably frequent, 23 times. On the whole title see Hort on 1Pe 1:3.