The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:28
Paul began his letter to the Church in Thessalonica with these words (1 Thessalonians 1:1):
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace to you and peace.
Paul’s last words in this letter to the Thessalonians echo his first. Why?
First, we must understand that Paul repeated himself in his closing to provide emphasis.* Paul sought to emphasize the grace of Jesus as demonstrated in the peace that He has for the church (which it so desperately needs.)* Paul wanted a divided, persecuted church to receive the unmerited peace of Jesus in their lives and in their community.
Furthermore, Paul wanted them to remember this: the peace Jesus has is by grace. Why is this important for Paul to say? Letters written circa Paul often closed with sentiments or well wishes of “be strong,” or ”prosper.”* These greetings elicit action. They command a response from the reader. It’s much like telling someone to “dig deep and try harder.” This is not the way to peace.
God has peace for all of us through Jesus Christ, no matter our circumstances. And we cannot earn it or fabricate it with our own strength and will. The importance of this cannot be overstated. Paul needed to tell the Thessalonians, and God knew that we need to hear this truth too.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to begin and end your day with a reflection on the reality of His peace-giving gift of Jesus Christ. Perhaps today God wants you to release your striving and receive His peace. Maybe today God wants you to know that He is with you.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Holmes, M. (1998). 1 and 2 Thessalonians (p. 202). Zondervan Publishing House.
Shogren, G. S. (2012). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (p. 236). Zondervan.
Green, G. L. (2002). The letters to the Thessalonians (pp. 272–273). W.B. Eerdmans Pub.; Apollos.
Kim, S., & Bruce, F. F. (2023). 1 & 2 Thessalonians (D. B. Capes, Ed.; Second Edition, Vol. 45, p. 498). Zondervan Academic.
Morris, L. (1984). 1 and 2 Thessalonians: An introduction and commentary (Vol. 13, p. 111). InterVarsity Press.
Beale, G. K. (2003). 1–2 Thessalonians (pp. 177–178). InterVarsity Press.
Weima, J. A. D. (2014). Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: 1–2 Thessalonians (R. W. Yarbrough & R. H. Stein, Eds.; pp. 430–432). Baker Academic.