This is a blessing that Paul and the other apostles used in the greeting and/or closing of their letters to the saints of the early church. This greeting has its roots in the Old Testament. God gave to Aaron and his sons the charge of invoking His name over the sons of Israel so the Lord would give blessing: “The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you , and give you peace.” The invocation of God’s name and the name of Jesus Christ was given with the idea of releasing grace and peace into the lives of the saints, many of whom were suffering great persecution for their faith. This greeting was meant to encourage the recipients with the knowledge that the Lord recognized, approved and delighted over them so as to grant them total well-being. It was a message of “God is for us,” to encourage loyalty, hope, perseverance, faith, righteousness and obedience in the new and maturing church. It appears to me that the rest of the bodies of the apostles’ letters were illustrative and purposeful expansions on the theme of “grace and peace to you.” The admonitions, corrections and confrontations in the various letters were fired by the desire of blessing with grace and peace. I encourage you to read through the New Testament again this year, wearing the glasses of God’s desire and plan to bless you with grace and peace (total well-being). But don’t stop there! Invoke the name of “God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” for blessing others with grace, peace and well-being. It is the mission of God’s holy nation, royal priesthood, His own possession (1 Peter 2:9-10). Selah.