Phlm 1:3). Instead of the normal Greek greeting “rejoice,” Paul uses “grace” and “peace” which had become a distinctively Christian greeting (cf. 1 Pet 1:2; 2 Pet 1:2; 2 John 1:3; Rev 1:4). Grace speaks of God’s favor in providing salvation for sinners through Christ’s sacrificial death (e.g., 1:7; 2:8; Rom 3:23–24) and his empowering of the believer to lead a holy life (4:7, 29; 1 Cor 15:10). Peace was used as a common greeting in the Semitic world (shalom [TH7965, ZH8934]; Gen 43:23; Judg 19:20
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