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Emeka Nwankpa, EsqGrace and peace, as envisioned and deployed by the Apostle Paul, is seldom accorded the level of importance and esteem that it should. This intervention is designed to raise our awareness of the great importance and function of these powerful virtues, and give them pride of place and stature in the thinking and appreciation of the saints. The appreciation of these qualities is a profound revelation. More importantly, it is a valuable and crucial insight into the mind of Jesus Christ, as we would see in the following narrative.  

Definition

The dictionary defines grace severally as “the freely given unmerited favour and love of God, the influence or Spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them, a virtue or excellence of divine origin.” Similarly, peace is “a state of tranquility or serenity.” The Amplified version of the bible defines peace as “inner calm and spiritual well-being” (Philippians 1:2). The iterations above set the tone for a discussion of the relevance, precedence, and priority of grace and peace.

Pauline Priority & Emphasis

There are several ways of judging the importance and value of a thing relative to others. Two of these are priority and emphasis. If a value, character, quality, or principle appears in a place of priority, and repeatedly so for emphasis, a determination of grave importance and significance can be authoritatively deduced. This reference occurs in Philippians 1:2, right after Paul and Timothy are identified as authors of the letter, before the prayer, commendations, and the rest of the substantive message to the church.  Colossians 1:2 follows the same pattern. So does 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2 Thessalonians 1:2, 1 Corinthians 1:3, 2 Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, and Romans 1:7. The references are not limited or constrained to churches. They appear in Paul’s letter to Timothy, his “true son in the faith” in 1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2, and to Titus, another true son in the faith in Titus 1:4. Paul’s letter to Philemon is relatively brief as compared to the others; however, the mention of grace and peace prefaces it in Philemon 1:3.

Whether writing to groups or individuals, Paul was remarkably consistent and on message about this mention. This underlines its relevance to all the saints everywhere. It is a message of general application and utility to all saints, individually and collectively. Its relevance is immediate and universal. 

The repetition occurring across thirteen letters is indicative of tremendous and deliberate emphasis. Even in the second letters written to the Corinthians, Thessalonians, and Timothy, the first mention of grace and peace in the first letter did not make it unnecessary to mention it in the second. Also, it should be noted that the prefacing of each of the letters in this way strongly suggests that grace and peace provides a contextual basis for the letter and its contents. In other words, without them, the other contents of the letters would be missing a major critical ingredient. 

Note also that in all of the references above, grace and peace is associated with God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The clear implication here is that these spiritual qualities are possessed and shared in common by God and Jesus. Moreover, this indicates the divine source and origin of grace and peace. Whereas God exists and rules from this realm, Jesus Christ was a poignant and powerful demonstration of it during His sojourn on earth.  

Jesus Christ – The Example

From the foregoing, the primacy and priority of grace and peace has been established. However, another way of judging value is by way of utility and function. Specifically, utility is best judged and assessed in arduous and challenging conditions. What does grace and peace look like in practice, under the most strenuous and tough circumstances? What better way to judge courage except under fire? How does inner calm hold up in the midst of a storm?

In this particular case, Jesus Christ provides the very best illustration and representation, a definitive proof of concept. The narrative of Mark 4:35-41 is deeply instructive. Here, Jesus and his disciples were making their way across the sea. During this journey, a storm developed. The intensity of the storm is aptly demonstrated by the apprehension of imminent death by Jesus’ disciples, who, it should be mentioned, were experienced seafarers and fishermen.

Astonishingly, in the midst of this cacophony and terror, Jesus was fast asleep. This is an eloquent picture of grace and peace under the most trying of situations and a potent example of inner calm in a storm. The contrast between Jesus and His disciples in that crucible could not have been any wider. It bears mentioning by way of emphasis that a sea storm is a rather noisy and intimidating affair. It would require supernatural levels of assurance, strength, and serenity to be asleep and untroubled in it.

While Jesus’ disciples responded in a rather natural, rational, and logical manner to the storm and the imminent mortal danger it portended, Jesus’ reaction transcended all that. His reaction implicates Paul’s description of the peace of God as surpassing all understanding (Philippians 4:7). The power and quality of the combination of grace and peace in Jesus is superior to the raging and terror of any storm. More importantly, it is greater than the understanding and apprehension of danger, harm, and fear generated by it.

Quite pointedly, it was not the storm that woke Jesus up. That intervention was made by his disciples, who were displeased by what appeared to be a lack of care and unconcern on the part of Jesus. It is possible and even probable that Jesus could have slept through the storm had His disciples not woken him up.  However, with their senses addled and constrained by fear and terror, Jesus’ disciples mistook His tranquility for carelessness and His calm for unconcern. They could not comprehend or compute any response greater than fear or resignation.

Untroubled by the desperation of His disciples, but out of concern for them, Jesus rebuked the storm with the command, “Peace, be still.” Significantly, the peace Jesus possessed was not only a matter of superior composure and comportment in danger, that peace had the power to control the storm and extinguish it. As Jesus’ disciples observed with amazement, the wind and the sea obeyed Him.    

Conclusion

In Philippians 4:7, Paul further describes the peace of God as a guard of our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This is perhaps the greatest function of God’s grace and peace. There will be storms and tempests calculated to disturb our hearts and minds. Jesus was in the boat when a storm assailed it. However, there is an administration of grace and peace that provides both an adequate defense for our hearts and minds and a superior and potent offensive weapon against any storm.  

About the Author

Emeka Nwankpa, Esq. is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of IFN (Intercessors for Nigeria)  and IFA (Intercessors for Africa). He is also the Chairman of the Sundoulos African Leadership Training Program and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Pastors/Ministers Prayer Network. Additionally, he chairs the Academic Board of the Africa Pastors and Ministers Prayer Network.  Prior to his current role as chairman of these various organizations, Emeka was Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Abia State University. He also served on the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and chaired the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment.