“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. It was written to the Philippians from Rome by Epaphroditus.”
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit — the final benediction (charis) invokes Christ's grace upon their inner being (pneuma, spirit). 'Grace' (charis) is both blessing and gift, the summary of the gospel. The letter concludes as it began: with grace and peace, but now focused inward, upon transformed spirits. All exhortation and doctrine flow from and return to grace.
Church Fathers on Philippians 4:23
“All the saints salute you, especially they that are of Cæsar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” He elevated them and strengthened them, by showing that his preaching had reached even to the king's household. For if those who were in the king's palace despised all things for the sake of the King of Heaven, far more ought they to do this. And this too was a proof of the love of Paul, and that he had told many things of them, and said great…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!