Sermon Tone Analysis

Romans 1:7 (NKJV)

To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

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

Romans 5:1–2 (NKJV)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The Phrase Meaning

To understand the meaning of this phrase, we will need to understanding the meaning of the key words (GRACE and PEACE) in this phrase each one on it’s own, and their common thematic biblical usage.

Grace: is a noun that many define as unmerited favor, or an act of being given what you don’t deserve.

“The concept of grace is a central theological theme throughout the Bible.

It is used especially to describe God’s primary activity toward Israel in the OT and God’s decisive act of redemption through the death of Jesus in the NT, especially in the letters of Paul.”

Lo, Jonathan W. 2014.

“Grace.”

In Lexham Theological Wordbook, edited by Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, and Rebekah Hurst.

Lexham Bible Reference Series.

Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

“In this place, and in similar places in the beginning of the apostolic epistles, it seems to be a word including all those blessings that are applicable to Christians in common; denoting an ardent wish that all the mercies and favors of God for time and eternity, blended under the general name grace, may be conferred on them.

It is to be understood as connected with a word implying invocation.”

(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc.

All rights reserved.)

Therefore, an Apostle’s declaration or invocation of grace upon the congregation is like a call of the whole package of God’s blessings that are found only in Christ Jesus for all the believers.

Peace: “For the Greeks, eirḗnē primarily denotes a state, not a relationship or attitude.

It is the opposite of pólemos (“war”).

It is linked with treaties of peace or the conclusion of peace.”

Kittel, Gerhard, Gerhard Friedrich, and Geoffrey William Bromiley.

1985.

In Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume, 207.

Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.

The word "peace" is also used in contrast with that state of agitation and conflict which a sinner has with his conscience, and with God.

The sinner is like the troubled sea, which cannot rest, Isaiah 57:20

The Christian is at peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

A prayer for peace, therefore, in the epistles, is not a mere formal salutation, but has a special reference to the "spiritual" blessings which result from reconciliation with God through the Lord Jesus Christ Romans 5:1

(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc.

All rights reserved.)

Therefore, an Apostle’s declaration or invocation of peace upon the congregation demonstrates and empowers the believers into the reality of their relationship with God that is based on the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Believers have therefore, an opportunity to live and walk in the Spirit which is peace and life with God, Romans 8: 6

The source of the Blessings (Grace and Peace).

“...from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

NKJV

“From God our Father”_

The expression here is equivalent to a prayer that God the Father would bestow grace and peace on the Romans.

It implies that these blessings proceed from God, and are to be expected from him.

(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc.

All rights reserved.)

“...from…and the Lord Christ Jesus.”_

The Lord Jesus Christ is especially regarded in the New Testament as the Source of peace, and the Procurer of it; Acts 10: 36

Several New Testament passages show that peace was invoked from the Lord Jesus.

John 14:27

(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc.

All rights reserved.)

On a side note, It is important to note that when praying or invoking these blessings upon the people, the Apostles regarded Our Lord Jesus Christ as the source as much as they did the Father.

If this implies prayer and homage to the Father, it does the same to Christ.

This implies that Christ’s Deity was well imbedded in the minds of the Apostle.

Its Significance

The phrase serves as a very significant statement of truth bearing many implications of the lives of believers.

It’s within the provision of God’s grace that we have our salvation.

No believer must forget that and attribute their salvation to their own efforts.

Ephesians 2:8

Therefore, beginning with such a statement of truth not only serves to bless the congregation, but also to remind everyone in the audience about their identity in Christ, and that everything that is going to be spoken is built on this truth.

Declaring of our peace through the work of Christ who reconciles us to God is a very integral component of our faith because it is from such that we have an opportunity to enjoy our fellowship with God.

Hence we can find our strength in His works.

Hebrews 4:16

It is also from this foundational truth that believers sanctification and spiritual victory is built.

Romans 5:20-21

It was the drifting from this foundational truth that Paul questioned the Galatians’ view that was propagated by the Judaizers.

Galatians 3: 2-3

Application

Therefore, since we are now reconciled to God, we are at peace with Him, it is not the law that teaches us ways of righteousness, but the grace of God.

According to Titus 2:11-14

Honoring the Lord and our God Jesus Christ, let’s always renew our minds in His word that we may say no to worldly passions and walk in the light with Him.

May the grace and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all.