Philippians 1:2

Authorized King James Version

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

Original Language Analysis

χάρις Grace G5485
χάρις Grace
Strong's: G5485
Word #: 1 of 12
graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart
ὑμῖν be unto you G5213
ὑμῖν be unto you
Strong's: G5213
Word #: 2 of 12
to (with or by) you
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 3 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εἰρήνη peace G1515
εἰρήνη peace
Strong's: G1515
Word #: 4 of 12
peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity
ἀπὸ from G575
ἀπὸ from
Strong's: G575
Word #: 5 of 12
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
θεοῦ God G2316
θεοῦ God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 6 of 12
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
πατρὸς Father G3962
πατρὸς Father
Strong's: G3962
Word #: 7 of 12
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ἡμῶν our G2257
ἡμῶν our
Strong's: G2257
Word #: 8 of 12
of (or from) us
καὶ and G2532
καὶ and
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 9 of 12
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
κυρίου from the Lord G2962
κυρίου from the Lord
Strong's: G2962
Word #: 10 of 12
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
Ἰησοῦ Jesus G2424
Ἰησοῦ Jesus
Strong's: G2424
Word #: 11 of 12
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Χριστοῦ Christ G5547
Χριστοῦ Christ
Strong's: G5547
Word #: 12 of 12
anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

Analysis & Commentary

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ (χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη, charis hymin kai eirēnē)—Paul's standard greeting combines Greek charis ("grace," unmerited favor) with Hebrew shalom (εἰρήνη, eirēnē, comprehensive wellbeing). This is no mere pleasantry but theological proclamation: grace precedes peace, and both flow from divine source.

The dual source—God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ—asserts Christ's deity through the grammar of correlation. The single preposition apo ("from") governing both Father and Son places them on equal footing as co-source of divine blessing. Kyrios Iēsous Christos ("Lord Jesus Christ") was Paul's counter-claim to Caesar's lordship in this Roman colony.

Historical Context

The greeting formula adapted Jewish epistolary conventions (seen in 2 Baruch 78:2) to Christian theology. In Philippi, a city saturated with emperor worship and imperial propaganda, Paul's ascription of lordship to Jesus was politically subversive. The Roman colony's loyalty oath to Caesar made this greeting a quiet declaration of competing allegiance.

Questions for Reflection