The Blessing of Grace in Christ is Met by Our Response of Love
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love Ephesians 6:24 (NIV)
Paul’s final prayer wish is ‘Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love’ (6:24). Christians are characterised by their love for Christ. There needs to be an answering love from us for the love and grace of God to continue to be received in their full measure.
The term ‘undying’ in ‘undying love’ usually means ‘incorruptible’ in the sense on immortality (Romans 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:10). It can also mean ‘moral incorruptibility’ and if used that way here it would mean ‘sincere’ love.’ A third grammatic possibility is to link the word directly to God’s grace (’grace with immortality’). The NEB renders the verse ‘God’s grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ, grace and immortality.’ If this was Paul’s meaning, he would be closing the letter with the thought that God’s grace will never fail them because it is not subject to change or decay.
Of the four words, ‘peace,’ ‘love,’ ‘faith’ and ‘grace’ which are included in Paul’s final greeting, the two which stand out are ‘grace’ and ‘peace.’ The letter began with ‘Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’ (1:2) and now ends with a similar reference to grace and peace. These two words summarise the letter perfectly. Peace, in the sense of reconciliation with God and with each other, is the great achievement of Christ, and grace is the means by which He did this. Both grace and peace are indispensable to all members of God’s new society. It follows then that Paul would wish peace to ‘the brothers and sisters’ (6:23) who belong together in the family of God, and grace to all who love Christ – whatever their race, rank, age or sex. It is a wish, a prayer, that the members of God’s new society might live in harmony as brothers and sisters in His family, at peace and in love with Him and with each other, together with a recognition that all this can only happen by His grace.
Abundant grace will be with you all as each of you love our Lord Jesus Christ without corruption. Amen!
Love in Christ,
Paul Ephesians 6:24 (the Passion Translation)