What is the meaning of Ephesians 6:23? Peace - This closing blessing mirrors the opening of Ephesians (1:2) and bookends the whole letter with God-given tranquility. - Peace here is not mere calm but the wholeness Jesus promised: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you…” (John 14:27). - Earlier, Paul described Christ as the believer’s armor in spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-17). Even amid conflict, God’s peace reigns (Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…”). - Because “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1), we stand reconciled, no longer enemies but family. to the brothers - “Brothers” highlights the family bond shared by all who trust Christ, regardless of background (Ephesians 2:19). - It underscores unity: the blessings Paul pronounces are corporate, meant for every saint in the household of faith. - The term also reminds readers of mutual responsibility—guarding one another’s hearts as fellow soldiers (6:18). and love - Love follows peace because reconciliation overflows in affection. Paul has emphasized love throughout the letter (Ephesians 5:2: “Walk in love, just as Christ loved us…”). - Biblical love is self-giving, Spirit-produced (Romans 5:5) and the greatest evidence of true discipleship (John 13:34-35). - This love binds believers together in the same way Christ’s love drew them to God (1 John 4:11). with faith - Love is paired “with faith” because genuine affection for God and others springs from trust in Christ (Galatians 5:6: “faith expressing itself through love”). - Faith here is the ongoing reliance that sustains believers; it is the shield just discussed in 6:16. - Paul often links these two virtues (Colossians 1:4) to show that neither can thrive in isolation. from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ - The peace, love, and faith just mentioned are gifts, not achievements. “Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17). - Placing the Father and the Son side by side points to their perfect unity in blessing the church (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). - Their joint bestowal assures believers that divine resources will never fail; the same God who armed them for battle now equips them with sustaining grace. summary Ephesians 6:23 is a Spirit-inspired benediction that seals the letter. Paul confers God-given peace, love, and faith upon the unified family of believers. These blessings flow unceasingly from both the Father and the Son, enabling Christians to live reconciled, love sacrificially, trust continually, and stand firm in every spiritual conflict. |
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